LIMA — On Nov. 2, President Barack Obama issued a directive to federal agencies to not ask any federal agency job-seekers about their criminal histories on their applications.
This “ban the box” decision gives those who have a felony conviction on their record a chance for greater consideration for employment after paying their debt to society. Lima’s 6th Ward Councilman Derry Glenn has been vocal in favor of this movement in the past and sees this as a positive move by the president.
“Everyone should have a second chance,” he said. “Also, this grows our economy. It cuts down on some of them who would go back to find assistance and help them take care of their kids. I’ve worked in the prison system for 31 years, and I’ve seen many guys get out and have no direction, saying they want to work but not being able to find any. We’ve got to help these guys who can’t find a job get a job.”
Sandy Monfort, re-entry coordinator for Coleman Professional Services, wants to see more people who have served their time after felony convictions have a chance to contribute to society again. However, she said that changing the business mentality regarding people with convictions is needed more than removing a question from a job application.
“When people pay that penalty, whether it’s confinement or whatever, and once they completed that penalty, they should, in my opinion, be able to return to being a productive citizen,” she said.
Monfort said several local businesses have already made moves to give these people a chance, and that tax breaks are even available for businesses that do so. In addition, businesses still have the ability to remove workers they feel are not doing the job.
“The employer still always has the chance to let them go, and they can still do background checks,” she said.
Ohio Means Jobs workforce development coordinator Joe Patton said that it should be the prerogative of business owners to determine whether this question of previous convictions should be asked.
“For some businesses, it could be a stumbling point,” he said. “There are some businesses that work in homes and require a level of trust. So they may want to ensure that people have clean backgrounds.”
