Seventy-three percent of human resources professionals said their company, or an agency hired by their company, conducted criminal background checks for all job candidates, according to a 2010 survey by the Society for Human Resource Management. That you may undergo a background check upon applying for a job isn’t noteworthy, but for job seekers with a criminal record it can feel like an inevitable uphill battle.
“While persons with a criminal record cannot be discriminated against, they may be prohibited from working in some industries such as health care and financial services,” says Bruce Hurwitz, president and CEO of Hurwitz Strategic Staffing. “Except in rare cases, employers will want to do a background check on the candidate.”
Yet not all hope is lost. Because you know a background check is likely coming, you can take steps to prove to hiring managers that you are an upstanding member of society. Ultimately, employers want to know you have the skills necessary to succeed in the civilian workforce. Here are some ways to do so:
Look into getting your criminal record expunged
Depending on the type of crime committed, it may be possible to get your criminal record expunged, or sealed. While this doesn’t mean your record is erased, it does limit who can access it. Consult a legal professional about your options or visit your state government’s website for more information. The website eHow.com provides additional information on how this can be done.
Know everything about your conviction
Donna Ballman, a Florida-based employment attorney and author of “Stand Up For Yourself Without Getting Fired,” says it’s important to know exactly what you’ve been convicted of and whether the record was expunged. “Lots of people have no idea [about] the actual charges that they were convicted of,” Ballman says. “It makes a difference. If you don’t care enough about your criminal record to explain the details, employers may assume you think committing crimes is OK.”
Explore volunteer opportunities
“If people want to shake the stigma of a questionable past, they need to find at least two civic organizations to volunteer at so they have solid references behind their applications,” says David Perry, co-author of “Guerrilla Marketing for Job Hunters 3.0.” “Six to 18 months of volunteer work — and I do mean sincere volunteer work — will go a long way in getting a usable reference.”
Consider the type of company to which you’re applying
Depending on the type, size or management style of a company, it may or may not conduct a criminal background check or be more lenient in accepting applicants with a criminal past. “Most applications ask whether you have been arrested or convicted of a crime,” says Mary Greenwood, attorney, human resources director and author of “How to Interview Like a Pro.” “Some will say felony so that conviction of a misdemeanor might be allowed.”
John Millikin, clinical professor of management at Arizona State University’s W.P. Carey School of Business, adds, “For a convicted felon, it may be better to look for something in small business, where you may have an opportunity to explain what happened directly to the owner.”
Participate in a re-entry program
Programs are available to help job seekers with a criminal record re-enter society and secure employment. One such initiative is the Prison Entrepreneurship Program, a Houston-based nonprofit whose mission is to “stimulate positive life transformation for executives and inmates, uniting them through entrepreneurial passion, education and mentoring.” According to Jeremy Gregg, the organization’s chief development officer, their “entrepreneurship boot camp” connects convicted felons with top executives, MBA students and politicians, and provides education, training and support. This is just one example; search the Web for local organizations that offer similar services.
Be honest
Perhaps the best piece of advice? Be honest. It’s true for all job seekers, whether you’re talking about work history, references or past salaries. It’s especially true for job seekers with a record. “If you fail to disclose a criminal record when asked, and you aren’t allowed to say it didn’t happen — as with an expunction — then the employer can fire you for failing to disclose it, even if you’ve worked there for years with no problems,” Ballman says.
Adds Millikin: “A job seeker with a felony record who has ‘paid his or her debt’ should be transparent about it without having to wear it on his or her sleeve. You should mention it after real interest has been expressed in you but before you get an offer. You should always answer questions about it truthfully, and never act as if you are hiding something, as it is worse to have it exposed in a background check.”
wow just reading all these comments and now I know that I'm not the only one. i have a deadly conduct 15 years old and worked for the state of Texas when the crime was committed. But now I can't get a job as a nurse aid. WHY? someone with assaults and have been to prison but I can't. Somebody tell the Texas girl something!!
why must i suffer for my background forever??i am paying my fines and have went through treatment last year and staying sober.i did get a part time job at a newspaper place as a packager and go to school.what else can i do?
@mufasa69 : Don't know what to say I am trapped forever "in jail" over something that happened going on 10 years ago now. In New York State nothing ever goes away. I went to school, volunteered everyone, did community service, explained my crime: Still un-hireable being a master in my field. Instead they'd rather take less qualified people for more money because of one thing that I have paid for: again and again and again.
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@mufasa69 been there, going through that....but THIS is AMERICA!!! If you're convicted of spitting on the sidewalk, you're the worst criminal since Adolph Hitler!!!!
i am sad today.i was trying for a job at an assisted living place as a cook.they really liked me and checked all my references out and even told them they liked me.i get the rejection letter today saying they found another candidate.i have dui's and 1 disorderly conduct and their all misdeameanors.im going to school to be an aoda counselor and have been through caregiver background checks for volunteer places and have passed them.my teacher said dui's doesnt affect a substance abuse counselor.if i can't get a job as a cook at an assisted living place how am i gonna get a job as a counselor in a nice place??feeling very depressed and hoping i wont relapse as i have been sober 14 months.
Yeah and now in New York: The Raptor system is everywhere. 10 years ago I took a lawyers advise and video taped my wife cheating on me...ended up being another girl (embarrassing). I was only 22 at the time and left the video up one day on the laptop and they turned it into the state police (wife and her girlfriend). I was convicted with Unlawful Survellience and at 22 ruined my life. Not only was I not given a second chance, lost my job with the government 8 years later, even though it was disclosed pre-employment, I was let go after a 2nd finger-printing when they increased the penalty for crimes of a similar nature and classified them as a "sexual-offense" when mine was not meant to be sexual at all! Now with Raptor I risk missing all of my kid's events and might not even be allowed into his school do to the re-classification of my crime. I am in jail outside of jail!
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After reading the comments, I know of no other solution but to pray. Lord help and bless the people commenting here.
There was a day long ago when I was oblivious not having children and guessing correctly or getting lucky to never get crossed up with the law. The oblivious days are gone. I have a clean record at this point, but others in my family don't. I believe the constitution should be modified again to give another group the right to vote. Convicted felons. I see no reason why after having paid their "debt to society" that their debt should not be marked "paid in full" and therefore their rightful full citizenship rights restored. Otherwise, the debt was not paid, correct? I also believe employers should have NO RIGHT to pull records older than 7 yrs old (same as for bankruptcy) and allowing for longer than crashes and payouts for auto insurance. Until recently, theft of $300 was a felony in Kentucky and probably other states. How is that worse than driving reckless and causing a loss of $10,000 or more plus injuries? Why don't at fault car wrecks block employment? Just asking for a little reasonableness and an equal hand of justice here and am not seeing it.
Keep on keeping on. Bitterness destroys the soul of the one who bears it. I'll just keep working while I've a good job until I'm 70 if I must so I can provide for my family who can't get a decent job. And pray for the day that we see some fairness in hiring... Do the RIGHT thing.
@SunnySmiles As crooked as the political system in this country is, voting would make little (if any) difference...
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Trust me it does not get any easier with time. I have a felony fraud for a bad check from 1989. Nothing else in the last 24 years and it still keeps getting brought up in my quest for employment.
@JarrelM Once you're convicted of just about ANYTHING, you're the worst criminal that's come along since Adolph Hitler, at least in America...
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I read an article from diversityinc magazine that said 40% of working age adults now have a "criminal" record. The likely reason for how bad it has gotten is that the unemployment rate is high and companies can pick and choose. That combined with so many things being a "crime" these days plus the criminal system really becoming a system of pleas where 95% of "crimes" offer a plea of guilty to a lesser charge to settle out of court. The pleas seem to occur regularly, and from what I'm seen is encouraged by overcharging of offenses such that the risk and penalties are too great to risk trial.
As an example, my son was assaulted with a tire iron as he was leaving from his first day on the job. He evaded around a car because he was at the time on parole as a "convicted felon", and didn't want to lose his job OR go back to prison for violation of parole. His brother had gone to give him a ride home, saw it all, and leaped from the car to grab the guy with the tire iron who then tried to hit the intervening son with the tire iron. The "convicted felon" was then charged with 2 class C felony assaults with a deadly weapon. He has been to hearings repeatedly since last October with trial dates set then another hearing then another trial date set then another hearing... He must have finally taken a plea because I've been notified of the sentencing hearing in March and he never went to trial. I'm guessing he didn't want to take a plea because probably the best they offered was to drop one if he pled to the other. They couldn't drop it to a lesser offense because the Class D only applies to assaults on officials and going all the way down to misdemeanor doesn't happen when assault with a weapon occurs. Just guessing because I don't know. This guy had worked on his job for years as a "convicted felon" then blew it all on an assault upon someone he didn't even know. It is a nutty world we live in.
I see some comments saying people should tell the truth on the application, but agree with others that you usually won't even get an interview then. This is why even the work counseling services advise to LIE on the application with regards to background. My two decided to tell the truth, but it really doesn't help to tell the truth either. The solution is to make it illegal to ask after a certain length of time. That should be a change to federal law not state law. It is a federal matter.
@SunnySmiles your gonna have to tell the truth.i have been offered a job for $10 an hour and when i filled out the application i wrote down my owi's but not all of them and didnt write the other 2 things down as i figureed they were 7 years old and not a big deal.all of mine are midemeanors.when they pulled my background they ended up taking the offer back because what i wrote on my app didnt match what they had so i didnt get the job.when they called me back they were very short and crabby with me.so they find out either way.it sucks.
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@mufasa69 @SunnySmiles I dont think this will encourage you; however, I was convicted of a crime 14 yrs ago. Never had issues prior or after 2/99. I went for a job interview. They asked if I have had any criminal conviction in the last 7 yrs. I put NO - After I was hired they confronted me about my conviction that occurred 14 yrs ago. I told them I did not put that on the application because you only asked for the past 7 yrs. They fired me for not being honest on my application. So now you know what a right to work state does to those with convictions. Even though tis against federal law, its against state law. They say FEderal law trumps state law - only when its a convience - so just beware - be open AFTER your interview and BEFORE you leave the interview. Saves you time, money and doesnt waste their time.
" ALL I AM SAYING.... IS GIVE ME A JOB"
(A parody of the famous John Lennon song....)
Now if the unemployed in this country sat down and sang that EVERY WHERE...( With the hand claps and everything...)
Remember, I'm the one that mentioned the ACTUAL nationwide strike...
"The line it is drawn, the curse it is cast. The slow one now , will later be last. And the present now , will later be past ...the order is rapidly changing....FOR THE FIRST ONE NOW WILL LATER BE LAST!!
For the times they are a changing...."
Bob Dylan....50+years ago...
I have a misdormeaner battery from 2006, I'm coming up on 7 yrs. I'm still not able to land a job. I get dirty looks when I'm question about it an then turned away an interview is done. My recorded can not be expunged or sealed. A year ago I asked the governor for a pardon, this process I have been told will most likey take up to 3-4 more years. If anybody else knows away to find a job please let me know.
@LesliePeterman How did you go about this process? Its better to try now than not try at all. In New York records cannot be expunged or sealed but I want to try what I can. My crime was a setup during a divorce in I unfortunately only realized I should have never pled guilty to until after the conviction. Now I am serving a life sentence (outside of jail) thanks to background checks for the rest of my life. I am the most honest, hardworking person you'd ever meet but that doesn't matter to anyone. How do we fight this?
@LesliePeterman Like for all the other "criminals" here....there are job openings in drug dealing, prostitution, bank robbing, gun running, hit man, smuggling, etc...i.e ALL the things that will get you BACK into jail/prison!!! And they wonder why the recidivism rate is so high....
<sarcasm>Maybe I should make a TV commercial... "Start an EXCITING career in DOPE DEALING!!! Call THIS 800 number NOW!!!!!</sarcasm>
As I said earlier...THIS is AMERICA!!! Once they have you down, they'll KEEP you down, no matter WHAT it takes!!! So it's " damned if you do, damned if you don't"...
@PhilipBrzezinski @LesliePeterman that would be an interesting commercial!!even for petco and fazloi's they want an extensive background check with credit and criminal.its like wtf?for 7.50-8.00??like i said i have 3 dui's and in wisconsin your fifth is a felony and a disorderly conduct ffrom 7 years ago.dont know if its that or just the economy.companies are not doing good here.
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It really disheartens me to to read these storys of seemingly endless despair. It makes me angry as to how this country treats petty offenders especially when they totally ignore the fact that to disrciminate in the forms of depriving an individual of life, liberty, and the right to earn an honest living is a crime within itself! When those who are rich committ such petty offenses they get a slap on the wrist. We as a people must stand together continue to make our voices heard. Contact our congressmen, ploitical representatives or anyone who will listen. We must not continue to take this injustice laying down. The system that oppresses us must be dismantled if America is to downplay it's hypocritical brand as a So Called Great Nation! ... WE MUST NEVER EVER GIVE UP!!!
@survivalkingHow about a national strike, like you see in (most) other countries??? I'm talking about a "WE'RE GONNA SHUT DOWN THE WHOLE !@#$%^&*'ing COUNTRY DOWN!!" type of strike!!
Just name the date, I'll participate...
@PhilipBrzezinski @survivalking
This does sound a bit extreme, but since this August will mark the 50th anniversary of the original March on Washington, how about organizing a repeat at that time. This time for economic equality rather than purely racial equality. The scenario for it is already there. And it doesn't take anything even close to a criminal record of any kind. After many years of economic and social malaise, uneasiness continues, especially for young mothers(and many fathers as well) who also have an important career or business to run. For them and many others it has been getting harder to juggle home and work commitments. Both significant others and children then complain about not having enough of their time and attention--one of the big reasons so many children get into trouble and turn to drugs and other unsvory activities. The Occupy movement probably was too lax in their effort to put everything on the table for an open, honest discussion. Perhaps there already are plans for a 50th anniversary march in the works. Does anybody know?
@BrianBeecher @survivalking How about a 30 MILLION man/person march on Washington????
That's about 10 %....
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It surely does SEEM like discrimination. My 23 year old son has some misdemeanors on his record from several years ago for marijuana and an argument at school his senior year that was deemed "terroristic threatening". He had a job lined up at Kroger and the woman was anxious to get him on the job. He has past experience and is so ready to work. She said he would start as soon as his background check was completed. Unfortunately, while being open about past marijuana use, he completely forgot about the tt misdemeanor. It was basically an argument with another student. He was threatened, he threatened the other one, and he happened to be just over a month past the age of 18 so was charged with terroristic threatening as an adult. After 2 weeks of waiting, he was denied the job due to the background check having misdemeanor terroristic threatening from 5-1/2 years ago. They said it was because he failed to state it when he applied. He has a 4 month old baby, his wife has a disability and doesn't work (nor get benefits), so I'm helping them until he can find employment. He got a recommendation from a manager at Domino's for a delivery position, so hopefully that will go through. Not the best of jobs and no benefits, but what can a person do when the companies deny him employment?
My oldest son was convicted of felony thefts, 2 of them, in 2008. He is denied even the opportunity to apply at most places. Not just financial institutions and healthcare, but everywhere except food service and one book company that has federal contracts. On top of that, he investigated applying for food assistance today since he has no income and can't get a job, and they told him that felons cannot apply for assistance in Ohio. In googling, I can only find drug felons being denied food stamps, but the person he talked with after waiting an hour said no felons can receive assistance. This was in Hamilton County, OH, City of Cincinnati.
I appreciate your article, but believe the problem to be much more difficult than is stated.
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@SunnySmiles I worked in Food Assistance for five years so I can tell you that according to Federal Regulations, the ONLY persons who are ineligible to apply for benefits are illegal aliens, DRUG felons convicted AFTER August 1996 and others permanently disbarred due to previous FA fraud. Tell hin to apply, they have 30 days LEGALLY to approve or deny his case from the date of application. Take photo ID, proof of residence, income for last month and half up to date of interview, S.S. #'s and DOB for all household members, proof of rent and utility expenses. If living with someone else but NOT including them in application, signed statement from them verifying you buy and cook your own meals. Good luck !
@SunnySmiles Be careful; you could be considered a "terrorist" by posting the "wrong" thing online, thanks to NDAA...I'm scared that the "powers that be" want to use drones to "assist" law enforcement in this country!!
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I have 7 dui's and 2 felonies in my past. I have always managed to find something to get started over with after my screwups. I've worked oilfields, construction, social services and now I'm a machine operator at $16. an / hour with benefits and a future, at a company that is growing and has been since 1960 ! Yes I suffer from alcoholism but I am doing well in recovery now.
Again, I must stress the value of starting out thru temp agencies ( I did ) and don't expect to start out any job at $20.00 an hour ! Too Many people today expect too much or are ignorant of the fact that unless you have some super college degree, you have to start at the bottom and work your way up, and that may mean minimum wage in the beginning. If you prove yourself, the raises and benefits will come.
It's all about ATTITUDE ! When I had problems with our equipment the other day, the owner of the company told me..." Problems are opportunities to learn, so learn from this situation"
Something tells me he didn't become a multi - millionaire by wallowing in self-pity and negativity.
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Okay I agree with you "You have to learn to crawl before you can walk". I am 46 years old working on my Bachelors degree in Human Services. I have a receiving stolen property from 2008, and a dealing in cocaine from 1998. I will be transfering to IUPUI in Indy because I have been informed that employment opportunities for exfelons were better there. Just recently I read where the Pope forgave his butler for stealing documents from his office, he served around 18 months for the crime however, it was stated that the vatican would help him find gainful employment. Now hows that for a second chance? I do not live a life of crime. I am a responsible student who was raised to earn a honest living. I support any organization that recognizes the worth of an individual to change a be a honest productive citizen.
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@survivalking @foamhand It's just you'd think after 10+ years of minimal wage jobs (less than $11/hour-what the Federal minimum wage would be if it kept pace with inflation over the last 75 odd years) and with TWO college degrees (this guy at the employment office was trying to talk me into a third...I told him NOT while I'm STILL trying to pay off the first two) I'd be able to get SOMETHING...
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I JUST WANT TO GIVE A SHOUT OUT TO ALL OF YOU WHO HAVE BEEN CONVICTED AND BANNED FROM EARNING A HONEST LIVING. NEVER TO BE FORGIVEN BUT FORCED TO BE REHABILITATED TO REENTER A SOCIETY THAT DOES NOT PRACTICE WHAT THEY PREACH. I SAY LET THOSE THAT BE WITHOUT SIN CAST THE FIRST STONE. MY ADVICE TO YOU ALL IS TO KEEP STRIVING FOR THE BLESSINGS THAT ARE TRULLY YOURS AND NEVER!, NEVER! EVER! GIVE! UP!
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If/when I get into the position to do so, I'll hire NOTHING but felons, as long as they're qualified for the job, and their conviction has nothing to do with the job they're applying for (Bank robber applying for a job in a bank, for example)
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@PhilipBrzezinski An entterpreneur in Chicago did just that. He started a fasta-food place titled Felony Franks where he hired ex-cons. But the public was so outraged about the title that he was forced to shut down.
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@PhilipBrzezinski Philip, I just told my oldest yesterday that if we were ever fortunate enough to win a large sum of money, that we would do home mortgages and provide them only to convicted felons. Surely that can't be discrimination because it isn't when it is the other way around:) I've worked 25 years for a major corporation, and had no idea these things go on until now!
I hope you get into that position because we need some savvy people employing awesome workers who happen to have made a mistake or two in their lives!:)
Like anywhere ELSE in America, once you're down, they'll KEEP you down no matter WHAT it takes!!!
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Funny thing is, there was a writeup concerning this in our paper just a few days ago, but can't recall all the content. And it doesn't even take a criminal record to be kept down these days. All it takes is to in any way be considered "not the right fit."
@BrianBeecher It just takes being the "wrong" color or gender, or having a "criminal" record...
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People often wonder why crime rates are so high in Oregon. Well, some people like myself, have made a mistake in the past by taking something that was not theirs, and being convicted of a Felony Theft crime. I spent time in jail, I completed community service, I paid restitution (well, my husband had to pay it for me as I can't find a frickin job), and I was on probation for 5 years. I also had to write a letter of apology to my victim as required by the courts. I made a mistake, but I paid dearly for it. Not only did I complete all requirements, but I lost the respect of my family and friends. Now, more than 5 years later, I still cannot find a job. Getting tired of people telling me "you need to change your resume", I now have about 20 different resumes' on my computer, and none of them can change an employers mind when they hear "theft". Employers that hire Felons, will hire you if you murdered or severely injured another individual and paid your time, but if you stole something, you are not now and will never be trustworthy or reliable and nobody can depend on you. I was working during my conviction period, and even during my jail sentence. My employer was so impressed with the quality of my work, my confidentiality and my overall knowledge that he was able to see past my error in judgement. Unfortunately, with the changing times, I was laid off three years ago. Since then I have not been able to even get a single call for a job interview. I have logged more then 4,000 applications. I have been rejected from most all employment agencies as they too "do not work with Felonies of THEFT". I have been registered with day labor agencies who say they work with felons where the felony is more than 1 year old "no questions asked" is what they say. Have to report to them every morning at 6 a.m. to stand in line waiting for them to call your name for work. No work from them either. Recently, I was told by the Goodwill Job Connection (I have been registered with them for over a year with no luck) that I need to start volunteering to keep my job skills up. Well, today I went to the hospital near hear to volunteer in whatever department they needed help in. I even said I would dump garbage. My past is all Office Management and accounting. The volunteer coordinator was excited as I told her I was available 40 hours a week. I had to complete an application that was 6 pages long. I gave it to her and she asked about my felony. I explained it to her and she said it did not bother her, but it is ultimately up to the HR department. She scheduled a formal interview for me for two days from now and told me to watch my e-mail for a confirmation. Well, guess what. That's right. I got an e-mail stating that she talked to HR regarding what I told her, and they told her she could go ahead an have the interview, but it was more likely than not that they would not allow me to volunteer at their Health Center once the background check came through. AND PEOPLE WONDER WHY SO MANY PEOPLE THAT ARE ARRESTED FOR THEFT END UP STEALING AGAIN. IT'S BECAUSE THEY CAN'T FIND A JOB TO BE ABLE TO KEEP A ROOF OVER THEIR HEADS, OR TO PUT FOOD IN THEIR MOUTHS. If only I had the money, I would start a company of some sort that would only hire individuals with a past of Felony Theft - someone has to give them a second chance. I can see if you are a repeat offender, but a first time offender and being more than 5 years. Come on...... Somethings got to give.
@Feelingworthless Being a "drunk driver" is about the same as being Adolph Hitler, in the eyes of "the powers that be"...
@Feelingworthless i know some of the mcdonalds around here dont check background.i dont know about other states.
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@Feelingworthless Wow it is heartening to see so many people with the same idea saying the same thing. After hearing and knowing and experiencing this sort of discrimination, if we are ever in a position to give others a chance then we will. For years, I've called America the punishment society. The debt to society is never paid no matter what you did. As these examples show, theft will get you a lifetime these days. I've said the middle eastern way of simply cutting off a limb would be easier. Just chop off my hand, I stole something once upon a time, then let me go on about my life in peace.
@SunnySmiles @Feelingworthless America-the Land of the Greed, and the Home of the Enslaved...
Came up with that during the Bush administration...
Wow this story is very common and yes I feel your pain because I also have a receiving stolen property felony in Fort Wayne IN in 2008 and have been banned from acquiring honest employment. My crime was for pawning stolen jewlery that I did not know was stolen. I plead guilty to a class D felony and was sentenced to two years of which I served aproximately a year, partly in jail and in prison after refusing probation. Now I am an employment outcast working on a bachelors degree in Human Services. Maybe I will be working with exfelons someday or people who have been banned from earning a honest living. I have been through all the job search havoc you have so don't give up we got to keep moving.
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In Florida you cannot have a conviction of any type sealed or expunged, the only records that can be are where adjudication is witheld, i looked it up because im in the convicted felon boat, it says since i pled nolo contendre, or no contest, i am not eligible. Only records of people who had adj. witheld, were found not guilty or had charges dropped can be sealed or expunged. Ive been turned down 7 times for jobs i actually got to interview for since my release from FLDOC in Jan 2010, im on both monster and CareerBuilder, and rarely get a call back after im honest with them. I did build the boat im currently in, but a second chance would be nice. BTW my sentence was 17 months for Grand Theft.(pawned something for a friend who claimed he had no ID. Wont do that again) I entered guilty plea in order to have Dealing in Stolen Property(2nd degree felony) dropped.While in I recieved a State Of Florida Dept of Education Certificate for Help Desk Analyst, too bad i cant use it now. Good Luck everyone trying to climb this mountain
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This is inaccurate dribble. Companies are not going to hire you, if you are a convicted felon. A felony is more important that citizenship. As a matter of fact once you are convicted of a felony you are no longer an American citizen. Just a felon. Felons are the only group in the country which it is legal to discriminate against. Articles like this waste our time and encourage false hope... It does not matter whether you check the box or not, they will not hire you... Our broken criminal justice system has been quietly feeding on young black men for years without anyone caring our paying attention, now it has grown to be come a threat to all. 100 million American with criminal records being discriminated against growing by 15 million a year.....Broken lives, broken dreams, broken country...
