Offender Employment - All Comments

re: NIC Satellite/Internet Broadcast: Building Tomorrow’s Workforce: An Effective Reentry Strategy

Valerie Haskins — Sat, 05 Jul 2008 05:47:22 GMT

I absolutly agree with Cathy Olson...you cannot know what this is like, unless you have experienced it.

I am the mother of one who knows.

re: Second Chance Act update

Jacqueline Caron — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 19:37:29 GMT

HOW LONG IS LONG ENOUGH?

For any man or woman convicted of a crime, successfully completing their sentence, along with any assigned parole or probation, is just the beginning. After their release from confinement, they are faced with re-integrating themselves back into their community – often in the same area and with the same influences that provided them opportunity to break the law in the first place.

Their search for employment is often stonewalled by the fact that they now have a conviction on their record. Employers performing a routine search find the negative information, and unless they are part of a progressive federal or state program, or willing to give the applicant a second chance, the applicant is put at the bottom of the list of candidates – if they remain on the list at all.

The goal of improving their own economic status and fighting the impulse to return to their former ways is complicated further by the fact that even advanced education – like a master’s degree – is often not enough to convince a potential employer to give them another chance.

Apartment leases, home mortgages, opening a bank account or a credit card, and many other processes that non-offenders take for granted are often closed to these individuals. This situation continues for as long as the conviction stays on their record, and with the advent of computers, the information is even easier to find.

How long is long enough for a person convicted of a crime, who has successfully completed their parole and / or probation, to continue to pat for that crime? The Connecticut Pardon Team was founded in 2004 to provide tools and information for individuals convicted of a crime who are interested in clearing their record through the non-inmate pardon within our state through our Pardon Assistance Program.

re: Second Chance Act update

Patty — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 13:15:03 GMT

Can you please inform me of those Reentry and Rehab Programs in San Diego, CA?

Is there a web site that shows the actual programs?

PLEASE HELP ME.

I am also interested in Christian Rehab Programs.

PRAISE THE LORD FOR THIS NEW ACT!

re: Feds to hire felons?

AL MAZZAGATTI — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 23:59:48 GMT

I would love to comment on all of the articles i have read on this suit, but does any body really care. We elect politicians, judges,etc, in to office. They break the law to. Society really needs to wake up. you

don't think they are all boy scouts,do you. I need a job myself

right now. i called one of the politicians ,i have help get elected,

to see if he could get me a job, but he never returned my calls.

i can show you so much corruption that goes on every day to regular

working people, that you would not believe it. if you want to do some

thing about it , we need numbers, news people and a little luck, but most of all ,we need some justice. thank you

comments reply silverknight14@verizon.net

re: Feds to hire felons?

AL MAZZAGATTI — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 21:17:13 GMT

I am a ex- felon for over 35 years. I was never able to hold any kind of

goverment job, because of my record from when i was young and dumb. I was able to work the polls as judge of elections, be a comity

person in my district,pluse help campaign for different candidates

seeking office. I would like to have some help,and feed back, from

regular citizens, and politicians,on how to get some help to start a bill or pardon system for ex-felons who have stayed in good standings

for 15 years or more. If anyone is interested,please contact me at

silverknight14@verizon.net thank you. 7/3/08

re: New Mexico Class Completes Offender Workforce Development Specialist (OWDS) Training

Sandra Day — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 19:29:52 GMT

What an incredible experience and eye opener this training was. I made great friends, while at the same time, learning the intense curriculum! I enjoyed the networking tremendously and now we all "speak the same language." I didn't get to say goodbye at the end of the training to most of the participants...However, I don't see it as goodbye, it is just "see ya later!" I know we will all be out there together again, training others in this wonderful endeavor! So, see ya'll soon, not goodbye!

re: New Mexico class completes Offender Workforce Development Specialist (OWDS) training

Aaron Givens — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 17:04:13 GMT

Buenos Dias Amigas y Amigos! The training was awesome and needed. Wow, thank you everyone....for the opportunity to learn, share and grow with one another. The training provided me the knowledge and theory of how to assist individuals in job placement. This will make me a better officer which in turn will make me a better person. I pledge to keep our team United and Informed.....P.S. Our Facilitators Rocked!! See you all Soon.. Whoot!! Whoo!!

re: New Mexico class completes Offender Workforce Development Specialist (OWDS) training

Theresa Willems-Gallegos — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 15:37:23 GMT

The class was fantastic and very informative! But what really made the class so great were the instructors, the supporting instructors and the networking experiences that went on in the class. Thank you Life Work Learning, Inc. Teri Sheppard for making this happen for me!

re: New Mexico class completes Offender Workforce Development Specialist (OWDS) training

Marissa Miranda — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 15:29:26 GMT

That almost made me cry. By far that was the best training I ever participated in and I have been to so very many in my career. It was tough, challenging but most of all important and extremely relevant to what we do each and every day. From the participants to the curriculum to the trainers I just learned so much from it all. Thank you all, you really made this training such a success and the value of it is unsurpassable.

re: New Mexico class completes Offender Workforce Development Specialist (OWDS) training

Dana Zaskoda — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 15:24:39 GMT

What an incredible time I had in this training. All the trainers were very professional and such good role models for how a training should be done. As well as working hard, I had the most fun I've ever had at such an intense training.

To anyone thinking of taking this training, don't think twice. Just do it. You will learn more than you ever thought you could. It is well worth all the effort you put forth.

re: New Mexico class completes Offender Workforce Development Specialist (OWDS) training

Hope Herrera — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 15:21:42 GMT

The class was a wonderful experience. It was tough at times, but definetly worth the time and effort!

Hope

re: Governor Schwarzenegger speaks about importance of work skills

Carol Smith — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 12:00:53 GMT

This is fantastic that people from all folks can be taught new inmate work skills to make their dreams come true.

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Carol Smith

www.addictionrecovery.net/california

Addiction Recovery California

re: New Mexico class completes Offender Workforce Development Specialist (OWDS) training

bill taylor — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 21:56:16 GMT

Thanks to a lot of support from a great group of folks I got through the training. The training was tough and very through and there were several times I thought I would not make it, however,the trainers were always there offering support and assistance. Thanks to all the trainers and in particular, Denis and Cathy. You guys are the Cats Meow to use a phrase from my past.

The class was strictly CLASS , made the experience fun and I feel priveleged to have been included with them.

Bill

re: NYC Mayor Bloomberg on the Significance of Employment for Offenders

Dee — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 01:58:46 GMT

I have a felony and I also have a certificate of relief and still no one will give me a chance. why cant law makers make a rule for people that have only made one mistake .That I feel I will pay for , for the rest of my life

and that is why so meny people in New York can not find a Job no one whats your mistake. even if it happened 15 years ago

re: Second Chance Act update

Twin — Sat, 28 Jun 2008 22:16:05 GMT

Does anyone know if the Act helps inmates find housing once they are released?