Would you hire an ex-con?

[Bubba1235]

Here is the quick background. Our neighbors have a son that was a pretty decent kid growing up. He moved off the farm to seek his future and ended up living in Chicago. As the saying goes, he fell in with some not so wonderful people, got involved with drugs (cocain) and ended up being convicted and sent to prison for 5 years. He has spent a bit over two years in prison and has earned an early parole by participating in a drug rehab. program and being what the state calls a "model prisoner". (Not sure what that really means.)

The sherriff stopped by to talk to me and said the kid has to have a job lined up in order to parole from Ill. back to Mo. and asked if there was a chance I would hire him. The sherriff has given his approval (part of the process I guess) and supports his returning to the area to live with his parents initially.

I have very mixed feelings on the idea to be honest. In this economy there are a lot of good people out there looking for work that have played by the rules. On the flip side I also think someone has to give a young guy like this an opportunity to turn his life around because without a chance to earn a living the probability is he'll end up back in some sort of trouble. (Just going by the statistics.)

The business side of me says, Are you nuts? You are running a business, why take that sort of chance? The human side wants to try and help this young man get himself back on the right track.

I spoke to the young man's father at some length and he really wants to help his son and would hire him to work on the farm but the parole board and the state of Mo. won't allow it. (Not sure why.) Of course he has done all he can to convince me his son is a decent kid and deserves another chance but I would expect any parent would feel that way so I have to accept his view is deeply biased.

Any and all thoughts welcome...

 

[MTboatguy]

Re: Would you hire an ex-con?

If it were me, I would have to know more about the conviction. Was the conviction for just possession and use, or were there other crimes such as violence or theft involved? I would be more inclined to say yes, if it was only possession an use, than if it also involved other crimes.

Addiction can be overcome with a strong treatment and support program in place that helps instill a sense of pride in your rehabilitation and succeeding at goals, but if prone to other behaviors under the influence often times leads to this behavior again coming out with the frustration of everyday life.

I would make sure and talk with his parole officer and get his take on his type of personality now and what the release reports state about him..It does not sound like they are going to let him travel to MO until he has secured a job, so it would be prudent to spend a bit of time on the phone with the young man, so you can get a feel for what position in life he feels he is currently at, and what he intends to do to help himself get back on the right path in life.

Just my .02, I know I had kids in my units in the military that had problems when they were younger, some turn out great, some not so well.

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: Would you hire an ex-con?

Sounds like a good opportunity for this person to get their life back on track. I'd want to help out, but talk to the guy first and go by your gut feeling. Not having spoken to him you can take all opinions with a grain of salt...they are biased as you mentioned.

I would venture a guess that he will probably be willing to work hard and appreciate a rare chance to do so given the circumstances, but who knows.

 

[204 Escape]

Re: Would you hire an ex-con?

I hired one to work for me a few years ago. He had a similar background like you have described. I made it clear to the authorities, that one screw up (of a major kind/type), and he was gone. The police/parole officier made it clear to me, that it WOULD be that way !!!!!

About 10 years ago, I did this. Now he is a upstanding person, helps with baseball, football, etc. He is not a problem. He has thanked me several times for the "chance".

HOWEVER, he may have been that one in a million !!!!!!

It's a tough call on your side, BUT, I believe that the authorities, will be glad to back you up, and support you !!!!

GOOD LUCK with your decision !!!!!

 

[tx1961whaler]

Re: Would you hire an ex-con?

I would have to see his WHOLE record, not just this one offense for which he was prosecuted. If he has an escalating rap sheet as long as your arm culminating in him finally getting thrown in jail, then no way without an interview. If he just got popped one time for selling, then maybe. I have relatives that were long time criminals (theft, drugs, etc.) before they finally got sent to jail. It's not like it's "3 strikes and you're out"; more like "25 strikes and we'll still let you slide if you promise to be good..."
My neighbor's son got popped in the 80's for escalating drug crimes and got sentenced to life. He got out a few years back (after 20+ years) and seems to be doing well.

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: Would you hire an ex-con?

If he was qualified to do the kind of work I needed done, and I needed a body, I might take that chance.

 

[JB]

Re: Would you hire an ex-con?

You need to see Josh Hamilton's "Resurrecting the Dream" or read one of his books. Josh didn't go to jail, but aside from that he scraped the very bottom of the bottom in his 4 years out of pro baseball. With the help of mentors and faith he has become the American League's Most Valuable Player and a role model for any young man to overcome some bad decisions and succeed in life.

Ask the young man to write you a review and analysis of Josh's life. My guess is that will decide for you if you want to take a chance on him.

 

[Silverskeeter]

Re: Would you hire an ex-con?

Have you ever been given a second chance? If so then you know how it feels to have that support.I'm not saying that you should or not that is your choice,however we all got into some kind of trouble when we were young and most of us learn from our mistakes.There is the 1% that cannot and will not. If he does get into trouble it's not your fault.Here in the midwest like you stated, we don't have the problems like the bigger cities.Just my opinion ,thanks for lettin us share.

 

[Summer Fun]

Re: Would you hire an ex-con?

I didn't read all the posts. But what I did read.

I say give the young guy a chance. .

 

[Whoopbass]

Re: Would you hire an ex-con?

I worked at a place where they hired several guys that came from some type of half way house. I don't know what any of them did or their situation but they all worked pretty darn hard and to my knowledge were not a problem. They worked about 6-12 months and then found better jobs. I was kinda questioning hire them in the beginning but I was wrong.
If you do hire this kid don't tolerate anything and if you have a gut feeling about anything send him back to the pen.

 

[MTboatguy]

Re: Would you hire an ex-con?

Conviction records are public record, unless he was a juvenile, as an adult, they are public record and it is not uncommon at all for prospective employers to do background checks, I believe everybody deserves a second chance, as someone else said, there is not one of us that have not been given a second chance, but with those chances comes rules and he will have to understand that. I imagine drug testing will be part of his release conditions, it normally is in drug cases. I like the idea of a book review/report, that will give you a lot of insight into this young man. Its a big responsibility, you will basically be his mentor, but of course the choices will be his. Often times all it takes is someone to believe in you and that gives you the opportunity to shine..

The sheriff should be able to provide this mans conviction record for you.

Good luck in your choice.

 

[puddle jumper]

Re: Would you hire an ex-con?

I have seen many people like that that come to work for us. Lots don't make it and fall back into the old habit,s. Some do well and move ahead in life like most people like to.

If the person is to succeed in a job environment they need to be treated like everyone else. Most of the people who come work for us with back grounds like that look for camp work to get away from it but I think that that is the worst thing to do. The guys who seem to come around will talk/joke about it and encouraging them to talk about it is a good thing. If they are being secretive about there past then you need to be on the look out for problems.

Just what I have seen

 

[tswiczko]

Re: Would you hire an ex-con?

I am sure you want to do the right thing for the right reasons..

My younger brother went to prison for 3 years when he was about 20 yo.
and I remember the company that hired him got about 85% of his wage subsidized by the state for the term of his parole provided he stay out of trouble, but that was about 20 years ago and I'm not sure of what program it was or if it still exists.

Not trying to scare you out of the idea of hiring him, but my brother never got clean. The only time in his life he stayed clean was when he was in prison..

I would also see if NA or AA were a mandatory part of his parole. If you hire him and they are then you may also have to make some sort of arrangements. I grew up in Ohio working on farms and at elevators and I do know that there are days when you don't get done working till very late and missing a meeting probably wouldn't be the best situation for him.

As long as he is a good worker and is trying to better himself then hiring him might be a good decision. Personally I feel if he is younger and open to good influence then you have the opportunity to make an important difference in his life. If it works out maybe he will be able to do the same for someone else.

I hope whatever decision you make works out well for the both of you.

To answer your question "Would I hire an ex-con.?" That would depend purely on the circumstances that surrounded the situation.

 

[oops!]

Re: Would you hire an ex-con?

bubba.....well......

druggies lie.
if he is no longer a druggie. (rehab or not) you may be opening the door to a path you dont want to go down.

if the system worked and you have a kid that just wants to get on with living.....then you have something to work with.

its your call about employment or not....we all want, and want to give a second chance. but its your shop, your tools...and your inventory.

im dead set against drugs.....they just make you stoopid. if you do hire him .....and after a paycheck or two,,,,if he comes in bumping into walls....and doesnt smell like a bottle o gin,,,,tell the cops

 

[perchin]

Re: Would you hire an ex-con?

Unfortunatley, more times than not, a convicted drug user will revert back to using drugs. With this will come the need to fulfill thier need, and if breaking the law, or stealing from thier own family is involved, they still will. It seems to be a lot of risk.. I would have to pass.

 

[1fishbone]

Re: Would you hire an ex-con?

From what I read, Hire him, please give him a second chance, he blows it, it's not on you!

He was a good kid when you knew him, one year (or two) won't turn him bad.

Yes there are others that need a job, but he needs MORE than a job, he needs someone to believe in him.
You sound like a caring person, just what he needs!

What a druggie does, is what someone on DRUGS does, that same person sober is different!

I write this with tears in my eyes that it will turn out right!

 

[DaNinja]

Re: Would you hire an ex-con?

From what I read, Hire him, please give him a second chance, he blows it, it's not on you!

He was a good kid when you knew him, one year (or two) won't turn him bad.

Yes there are others that need a job, but he needs MORE than a job, he needs someone to believe in him.
You sound like a caring person, just what he needs!

What a druggie does, is what someone on DRUGS does, that same person sober is different!

I write this with tears in my eyes that it will turn out right!

I understand what you are saying, but I also understand the dilema of bumping into
a struggling family at the grocery store after you hire a ex-con over daddy who has
played by the rules. Tough call.

 

[Jeep Man]

Re: Would you hire an ex-con?

It's your call Bubba. It's your shop and your reputation. But remember, you can also get a reputation as someone who is willing to take a chance on someone who needs a second chance. If all goes well, you have the gratitude of your neighbor, the sheriff, and the kid, as well as the pride you get by helping get a kid back on track. If it goes bad, you can fire him quicker than you hired him, notify the sheriff and he deals with the kid from there, and you still come out as a good guy. Also speak to his family. They may be willing to sign a sureity to reimburse you if theft occurs.

 

[204 Escape]

Re: Would you hire an ex-con?

Well, he was "my partner", for about 3 years in the construction business. I have some fairly expensive tools that are "personal tools". I told him straight out and up front that if he screwed up, I'd turn him in. NO EXCEPTIONS !!!!! He said that he understood. He said that he really wanted to straighten up, (I've heard that before out of others).

And YES, I've made mistakes myself. I've done things that I am NOT necessarily proud of. I've been given a second chance before. I figured that he had paid his debt to society, and that I had NO reason to "judge him until he screwed up". AS I had previously said. He may have been one in a million.

I took a gamble, and as far as I am concerned, I came up a winner !!!! He's been, and still is a good friend !!!! I trust him!!!!

BUT, as I have read here. CHECK HIM OUT !!!!!

Good luck !!!!!

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: Would you hire an ex-con?

... Also speak to his family. They may be willing to sign a sureity to reimburse you if theft occurs.

If bubba has a pretty standard "Business Owner's Policy", employee theft is a covered loss, subject to a set deductible.