Felony work programs are very important for an ex-con to find a decent job. Often, companies are very reluctant to hire people with criminal or felony records for fear that the person could repeat the crime they have already committed. The stigma against people with felony convictions continues to this day, making it difficult for ex-convicts to find job opportunities.
Coupled with the fact that the offender may not present any employment history from the time of incarceration and with the large number of unemployed job seekers with whom they must compete, finding work for ex-convicts is a serious headache for many. . Some resort to lying about their past. Other times, they simply try to apply for low-paying jobs for which they are overqualified. Fortunately, there are felony employment programs that can help felons find work.
Felony employment programs are essential for an offender to rehabilitate and begin to reintegrate into society. The government understands that despite the many laws intended to protect ex-offenders from employment discrimination, stigma against felons persists, making it difficult for felons to get jobs. Therefore, felony work programs are established for ex-offenders.
Although the mistrust of the general public is the main reason many ex-criminals are unable to find suitable jobs; there are other factors that constitute the reasons why reintegration into society seems so difficult. Lack of economic resources and opportunities, housing, inadequate education, and even prior addiction to substances are some of the reasons ex-offenders find it so difficult to reintegrate into society. Did you know that according to the Department of Justice, more than 650,000 prisoners are released from incarceration in the United States each year? The process of reintegration of criminals into society is usually a very hard phase for the ex-con and his family. Felony work programs help alleviate the hardship experienced by ex-offenders and their families by providing assistance and assisting with the job search of recently released offenders.
There are actually 3 very important pieces of legislation to help address the problematic situations ex-offenders face. These pieces of legislation are intended to provide funding to organizations and agencies with offender work programs for those in need.
The 2001 Faith-Based Initiatives Program –
This piece of legislation allows private citizens, non-profit organizations, and religious organizations that aim to help ex-offenders to obtain monetary assistance from the federal government. The government may sponsor various activities of various faith-based organizations that provide felony employment programs to ex-offenders.
The 2004 Prisoner Reentry Initiative Program –
The Prisoner Reentry Initiative Program helps ex-convicts not only get jobs, but also return to society. Based on the suggestion of the State Prison System, a newly released person immediately returns to the workforce or undergoes rehabilitation programs. Ex-offenders receive the necessary training and education to improve or create the skills necessary for employment. They also provide the elevators necessary for an ex-con to successfully land a job.
Second Chance Act of 2008 –
Ex-offenders receive the necessary support through the Second Chance Law. Funds from this law are awarded for training courses that help people with criminal records find employment. SCA grants are used to fund not only the reintegration of ex-offenders but also the rehabilitation of drug offenders.
Laws are also provided to help ex-convicts of discrimination, but we all know that they are not enough to help them. The best way for an individual to reintegrate into society is to find a job. What better way to help than through felony employment programs?