What can the government do to help former convicts land a job?

Question

The reason to this questions is in hopes to having a solution for former convicts that trying to improve their lives by landing a job(s), Instead of going back out on the streets and either join a gang, sell drugs, or commit a burglariy. I'm tired of seen many former convicts wasting their lives by hanging out on the corner of the streets ten to twelve hours a day doing nothing, or peddling. (Begging)

Answer 1

A lot of prisons do require that people study, do classes on job search, and train for jobs. It depends on the state. Also, some states help with job referrals after release. Some parole officers are helpful with job referrals.

Perhaps you should do some research on how different states handle this. You may be reinventing the wheel. Find a good program and help spread the use of that program.

Answer 2

It is NOT the governments job to find jobs for convicts. The convict is the criminal, broke the law , went to prison. If they were serious about the idea of improving their life, they could and would do it them self, instead of expecting the government to do that for them also. If they choose to be involved in criminal activities after they are released, that is their decision. They do not have to hang out on the street and do nothing for ten to twelve hours a day doing nothing or begging. They can get a job, if they really wanted one, but I am sure they would rather have government, state or public assistance to be a lazy gang member, sell drugs or commit crimes. So, they need to do it them self and stop depending on hand outs and having the government get them a job, one that they will not probably want or keep anyway. Get real!!! It is their own fault.

Answer 3

there is nothing the government can really do to help ex convicts even if the convicts changed, except hire them themselves. most people see that someone was a convict before and they completly close their mind and getting a job there or with that person is out of the question. Its sad because some change and some want to do good and just live their lives, but a lot of people in this day of age have the mindset ex convicts are bad forever, which some are, but some have changed. We all make mistakes, sometimes big ones and we have to take the consequences, but not giving them jobs doesnt solve anything or improve anything. Like you said they just go back to crime when no one wants to hire them, they gotta eat. Bob would say the only thing the government can do is hire ex convicts to give them a job, but basically nothing to get other people to hire them.


bob thinks a lot of the answers got confused, its not that convicts are stupid or dont have diplomas or ged's, well a lot dont and **** like that, but the main problem is a lot of empolyers wont hire a ex con just because that person is a ex con, which will lead the con to go back to crime.

to the person above bob, your right a lot of times poverty stricken criminals have it better off in prison then on thier own, but most prisons have MORE violence inside of them then you will ever see outside, plus the guards are assholes, treat you like dogs, tend to turn the other way when violence is being commited on a prisoner and theres the fact you gotta watch yourself or you gonna get *** ******. Any sane person who can manage on the outside will NOT want to go back.

Answer 4

First of all, why should the government be responsible for convicts after release?

Now with that out of the way ... how about making prison a place you don't want to go back to?

When they are in, every thing is handled, meals, bed, roof, medical care (including elective surgery), weight room, everything!

Then they get out ... and have to pay for food, rent a place to stay, get medical insurance (and pay for it), and if they want a weight room? More expense! They have to join a gym!

When life is easier on the inside than outside the walls ... well DUH! Of course they will want to go back!

If prison was harder than the lowest, entry level job in the worst industry in the country, maybe the cons would not be lining up for a return trip!

Answer 5

Two thoughts..

First, it's NOT the "government's" responsibility to help ANYONE get a job... It's thought processes that say, "Somebody owes me something" that create many of our parolee's in the first place... so this thinking is NOT going to help.

Second, there are MANY books written on this subject, and there are job training programs and educational opportunities available in most, if not all, of our prisons... so there's really no excuse for ex-cons to be unemployed. Granted, they won't qualify for some jobs... but them's the breaks.

Most who blame the government for their plight are just too darned lazy to get off their butts and go find a job. I make my clients turn in 10 job applications every week until they're employed... The longest it's ever taken is 1 month... So the work is there if they'll just put the effort into it.

Answer 6

The government does have programs available, including school or job training. The problem is that narcotics are a pricy commodity, so it's naturally pretty enticing to go back to that, or begging; maximum profit for minimum effort. There are some who say that ex-cons should be immediately drafted; myself, I consider that a case of swapping one form of slavery for another. But there are private corporations that hire ex-cons out of prison; these corporations receive bonuses or tax incentives/breaks for doing so. But it all comes down to the individual; he/she has to WANT it bad enough. And, well... Sometimes, they just don't.

Answer 7

Why do so many people want the goverment to bail them out??? Give me, give me, give me.
I know a large number of ex cons. I wrote to them while they were doing their time. Those that are out, used the old fashion method, they used shoe lether and searched until they found a job. Tell your con friends to do the same.

Answer 8

I think the prison or jail that they are at, should secure a job for them, before they get out. That way employer will know them, and their prole officer. Also this way they could be learning about the job they are going to hold, and what goes along with it.

Answer 9

the only thing i can think of is that they let u finish your g.e.d in there right? and if they do have a library it sucks right? What can the gov. do...while the inmate is incarcerated? i guess have like career counseling, and those personality skill/likes tests where they tell u what kind of job u'd be good at r like. if they're already out theres things like cet, .

Answer 10

There are plenty of temp agencies that will hire almost anyone. The job is going to suck though, but then that just means there are more slots open for them.