Corrections Community

Hope everyone is doing well.  My name is Matt Lucas and I am the Employment Programs Coordinator with Suffolk County Probation here on LI, NY and recent OWDS graduate from New Mexico.  I wanted to start a discussion regarding the employment of Sex Offenders (SO), particulary focussing on getting ideas for Home Based employment.  We are all aware of the special challenges that present themselves when working with this population, so I was looking for some innovative ideas that would keep them gainfully employed, while also meeting the Probation and Public Safety concerns that are present. 

Here is Suffolk County, many of the SO's are on our GPS system as well as having strict limitations as to the type of workplaces they can be employed at as well as the location of those workplaces.  Throw in the added restrictions of limited computer access, and the options for employment are even more limited. 

My thought on this would be to have an option for them to work from their home location on projects which in most cases would satisfy their conditions, although no computer access cuts down the field considerably.  We also would probably have to eliminate customer service / telemarketing / telephone sales position (most use computers anyway).  Employment that violates local zoning and ordinances would also have to eliminated from contention.  That being said, I KNOW that there are positions out there that could be a viable source for this population.  Certain types of assembly, sorting, mailing etc. come to mind.  I am sure that this is just the tip of the iceberg - so I wanted to throw this out to the whole community for suggestions.

The potential rewards for such a project are great, and its been my experience that the SO population have a high level of compliance with Probation programs.

 So, have any good ideas?

 Thanks in advance.

Matthew Lucas, OWDS

S.C. Probation

Hi Matt, I saw your message and thought I would reply. I have been on this site for awhile but seldom see names I recognize. Anyway, I think you covered the gamut of possiblilities and limitations, the biggest being I would say the use of the internet. My question to you would be what percent of your S-Offenders are actually unemployed. Some  counties we have worked with actually say that unemployment is not a big issue for these clients which was at first puzzling to me. I have heard reasons for this which I won't get into right now. You should however spark interest with this topic.

Could I find out why it is that sex offenders are not having problems with employment?  In  another forum, I hear constantly that it's nearly impossible to get a job.

Registering is the kiss of death for (RSO-registered sex offenders) No one will hire RSO almost all employers now do back ground checks for the most minor jobs even temp agencies screen all their applicants. With instant access to RSO wed pages NO employer is going to take a chance on any RS0 not with their picture and home address plastered for all to see

Now with the limits on where they live its even harder still.  The laws regarding level offences in many states lump them all together. Dates of crimes have no meaning when you have lifetime registering, there is absolutely NO trust, and you wonder why so many RSO go underground the system has made RSO’s targets

 

The year of the crime would help RSO on those web pages through the local sheriffs departments, it could be seen as a less likelihood of re-offending. Before all this new public awareness a person would have to go to the local police department to find out if there was a RSO living in their neighborhood. This screening process protected the RSO from flyers and vandalism upon their property. Now most have a blind eye to this fact, and actually the feelings are RSO deserves what ever they get.        

I am sorry that I did not get back to you sooner. If you recall my statement on SOs began with a question: "My question to you would be what percent of your S-Offenders are actually unemployed?" The question  was more in relationship to a training I attended which included several county probation departments. The counties in attendance said that  "unemployment is not a big issue for these clients", of course that was only 5 counties out of 58 in the state. I am sure it may become more difficult but according to the officers at the training most of their SO's were employed. I understand that some of their ability to either keep a job or get one can be attributed at least anecdotally to  things such as hard skills and high levels of socialability. I really don't have any hard evidence to offer either way, but as an agency we are looking at all of the employment issues affecting probationers, including those who are sex offenders.

Click here to read a great article about sex offenders and employment by the Center for Sex Offender Management (CSOM).  In fact, CSOM is a good place to start if you are interested in learning more about the sex offender population.  Their website is http://www.csom.org/.

 

I am familiar with the article and yes it has some good informaiton. There is so much to learn in this area and I have not been able to find many articles which really address it. There are a lot of variables which affect the employabiity of Sex Offenders. Keep me posted. Thanks again.

Years ago, travel reservations were made on the internet, but in a separate software.  Prison inmates could handle transactions without being tempted by the full internet capabilities.  It may be possible to use a restricted form of internet (or monitor it using a commercial service) to allow sex offenders to process orders for private companies, handle customer service complaints or offer technical advice on specific products. 

Hello Matt! I was just searching for info on SOs & their many challenges & saw your post. I work with SOs (& their families) to help them rebuild their lives. The obstacles are huge, so I'm hoping to brainstorm with other professionals on what's working. We're laying the groundwork for individuals to start small businesses---based on their skills, talents, & interests, along with their physical & mental capabilities. However, those with mental health diagnoses and traumatic brain injuries are posing quite the challenges for me. It can take forever to get medications & health issues resolved so these types of individuals can even move forward beyond practical daily living issues. 

We have worked closely with SOs to help them exit the state system & get stabilized in the community. After that, whenever they're ready, we can help them work on small business ideas. Unfortunately, we've not "yet" had any guys ready to work towards their small business ideas, because the laws have made it so difficult for them to get stabilized in the community.

 I believe that these guys have much to offer society, if only they are given a chance, along with the tools to succeed & that's what we're about. Thank you for any insight you might have!

Colleen Reiter

IMEC, Inc. 

Atlanta

 

 

We work with well over 100 faith congregations and community groups.  The only organization we've found willing to help a sex offender heal their lives and head in a good direction is a very strong local Assembly of God, which links closely with a regional Teen Challenge.  Most other congregations just don't have the "mission" or the vision to see the need or take the risk and frequently don't have the expeirienced volunteers or staff to handle something that is a big risk to a congregation.  We sell the "risk" of mentoring that helps hold people accountable to improving their own lives with the help and guidance of others.

Denis 

Hi! Great to hear what you're doing, Denis. Our Christ-centered organization is based in Atlanta & individuals with sex offenses are our major focus.  We are trying to connect with other professionals, churches, & groups nationwide who have a heart to work with SOs, because we have individuals contacting us outside of Georgia as well.

I've heard of Project HOPE, but where is your organization based? Have you already worked with groups in GA?

 Thank you in advance.

Colleen

IMEC, Inc.

Hi Colleen:

My name is Dan and I am the Executive Director of the Faith Based non-profit organization the Transformation Network. We have worked with ex-offenders including sex offenders since 1999. It is difficult to place sex offenders into meaningful employment but not impossible. It requires some great success stories. One of the employers working with us has hired 4 sex offenders plus 8 other ex-offenders since 2005, nine of these 12 are still employed with that employer. These successes have led us to other counties and more employers. God has blessed us with success. The ex-offenders start building a track record of success with us and we build the relationships with the employers in the local communities that we work in. This takes time, passion, a calling and perseverance but it does pay off. We are in Ohio and work in 4 different counties.

 

Dan Phillip

Transformation Network, Inc.

Hello Dan! Thank you for sharing what you guys are doing. It's encouraging to hear what God's doing through you & your organization.  This is truly a calling for us as well. Do you guys have a website? Maybe we can talk further.

Our SOs have not had much difficulty finding work in GA, which is a blessing. However, finding work for disabled SOs is a bit more challenging.  We have assisted many transitioning offenders (& their families) since 1999, but have been more focused on SOs for several years now. It's a delight to watch God work in their lives.  Blessings!

Colleen                                                                                                                                                                                          IMEC, Inc.                                                                                                                                                                               Atlanta

The information being passed on about this topic is great!  I am from one of the last frontier counties in the country and the idea of home based business is alive and well here as some of our SO'S are farmers and ranchers.  Employment for the rest of that caseload is at times troublesome, however in a recent partnership with our local employment office we have limited web access for employment services at our office.  Our employment office is next to the middle school so SO'S by city ordinance were not permitted there.  One issue brought forward by our PO'S was that of an offender being able to corrupt the system and gain more access to the internet, this has not been an issue to this point as our IT contracter has managed to keep it locked down.  The question I have is does anyone know if there are groups interested in mentoring SO'S out west?  If so how might I contact them?  We are somewhat geographically isolated so this sometimes makes it difficult to find vounteers.  Keep up with the great information.  Aaron

Hi Aaron! Thanks for sharing what's happening in your area. Entrepreneurship is alive & well in varing degrees--- including inside the prison systems. Those who have a knack for starting businesses can connect and make it happen, if given the right tools.

Right now, I don't know of any groups out West who mentor SOs. The SOs we are assisting have done their part to search diligently for jobs or to follow-up on job leads, so they have not had as many employment difficulties as other SOs in this area. They've worked hard to find jobs, because they're determined to succeed. They desire to rebuild their lives & not to make the same mistake again. Once they have steady income and are stable, then we can move forward with their biz ideas.

I look forward to hearing what's happening on this topic throughout the U.S. Thanks!

Grace,

imec

Atlanta

Dear Colleen,

I would be interested in your approach to assisting SO's in forming or starting a small business. We understand the many drawbacks with SO's attaining employment or even keeping a job. I work in a Faith Based Ministry, and even there we find many challenges for the SO to overcome.

Any information would be greatly appreciated.

BTW Matt, thank you very much for having this open forum.

Respectfully

Timothy Caron PMTAI

Massachusetts 

 

I presently live in Cincinnati, Ohio. Could you please provide me with any faith-based contacts in my area for mentoring opportunities for SO's?

Hello and ALOHA from HAWAII. I have a post regarding the second chance act opening up the door to allow federal agencies to utilize faith based organizations. I know that there is a Dream Center located in Cleveland, OHIO and Hamilton, OHIO and more information can be found at the website: http://www.dreamcentercleveland.org/ or http://www.hamiltondreamcenter.com/ Good luck to you and may you be blessed! Kristy Curtin U.S. Probation Services Technician Honolulu, HI

Hello Timothy!  Just found that I had overlooked your post to my msg. Feel free to contact my organization at 404.847.2169. My focus has been on housing issues for SOs with mental health & physical disabilities, including those leaving prison with traumatic brain injuries. Look forward to talking with you!

God bless you....Colleen in Atlanta

I encourage my students who are sex offenders to apply for Certificates of Rehabilitation. This may free them from registering. I refer them to the local legal aid office for help with the application process http://helpforexoffenders.wordpress.com