Plan gives preference for employing ex-convicts
Job interviews aren’t the problem. Former Ohio State University football player Anthony Gwinn has landed plenty, and he’s often asked back for a second or third interview.
“Then boom, the background check,” he said, describing an all-too-familiar course of events. “It’s like you’re branded.”
A proposed city ordinance set for its first public hearing Monday aims to help smooth the path to employment for people with criminal records, many of whom struggle to get a fair shot once their histories are revealed.
“We have really good re-entry programs in our community who are reaching out to as many people as possible and getting them re-trained for the workforce,” said Columbus City Councilwoman Elizabeth Brown. “The problem is that the employer pool isn’t big enough.”
The legislation, which is still in draft form, would create bidding preferences for companies that do business with the city and are willing to hire and accommodate workers returning to the community after incarceration.
It includes a three-tiered certification process for the employers, starting with establishing a relationship with a designated re-entry program and agreeing to consider employees with criminal records. At the highest level, the company also would help with training, transportation and would abide by a so-called “ban the box” policy, delaying the performance of a background check until the time at which an applicant would be extended a conditional offer of employment.
“You’ve got to bring about a culture change,” said Cathy Levine, a supporter of the legislation who works with the interfaith group Building Responsibility, Equality And Dignity known as BREAD.
“Our research indicates that, with some exceptions, the private sector is often excluding people with criminal records,” she said. “The application process happens online and they weed out people with criminal records.”
Levine thinks the bidding preference can work but is wary of using tax incentives to boost hiring, which some in the business community might favor.
Brown said various approaches could be discussed, including some that cast a wider net than just companies and agencies working with the city. The public hearing, set for 3:30 p.m. Monday
“Our research indicates that, with some exceptions, the private sector is often excluding people with criminal records.”
— City Councilwoman Elizabeth Brown
at city hall, “is an important first step,” she said.
According to the Franklin County Reentry Coalition, Ohio releases more than 28,000 offenders from prison each year. In 2013, nearly 31,000 offenders were released from the Franklin County jail into surrounding neighborhoods. Many of them need to find work.
“There are just so many barriers and misconceptions that people have,” said Denise Robinson, president and CEO of Alvis, a local agency that provides services and housing to the recently incarcerated. “When I heard about this legislation, I was just so excited. It gives great opportunity.”
Gwinn, 44, wound up with with a felony record and spent time in prison after convictions on drug and domestic-violence charges. He’s found satisfying work with the Ohio Organizing Collaborative, a social- and economic-justice advocacy organization, but has struggled to secure a career even though it’s been several years since his last conviction.
He shares his story in hopes that it helps others and opens eyes.
“The toughest thing to accept is that you’ve already paid the price, whether it’s incarceration or fines or both,” Gwinn said. “It’s almost like you have to pay the ultimate price.”