Advocates for prisoners have been lobbying
cities around the country to adopt a measure they say makes it
easier for convicted felons to become productive members of
society. That campaign is now coming to New Britain along with a
couple of other Connecticut cities.
Dubbed "Ban the Box," the initiative would end municipalities' practice of asking job applicants if they are convicted felons and put off a background check until after a job offer is made. If a check uncovers a conviction, the offer could be rescinded only if the offense for which the person was convicted is relevant to the job. Boston recently adopted the measure. Advocates say this is an important step forward since many felons are denied the chance of getting a job just by admitting that they have a criminal record.
Now, the Clean Slate Committee is bringing the idea to Connecticut and it is working to have Hartford, New Britain, New Haven and Norwich adopt such an ordinance. In addition to municipal jobs, the ordinance the committee is pushing would cover companies that do business with those cities.
The Clean Slate Committee is an advocacy group that lobbies on behalf of prisoners who will soon be released and will reenter the community. David Samuels, a committee member, said ordinances have been introduced in New Haven along with Norwich and that the group is starting to build grass roots support for the proposal in New Britain before formally approaching city leaders.
On Thursday, the committee will hold a forum at the New Britain Public Library where people can learn more about the "ban the box" proposal. The forum is from 6 to 8 p.m. and the library is at 20 High St.
"We are just getting the process off the ground in New Britain," Samuels said. "The forum lets us raise awareness and see who wants to get involved."
A Google search of the phrase "ban the box" turned up this recent article on the issue by the National Employment Law Project. The NELP also had this interesting summary.
Samuels said the proposal can be a crucial part of helping people getting out of jail become productive citizens rather than turn back to crime to support themselves.
"90 percent of the people in jail will reenter society," Samuels said. "Employment is a piece of the public safety issue that's being ignored. But you need to give people the tools to become reintegrated into society. There are enough job training programs already, it's imperitive that we change hiring practices to give convicted felons a real chance at getting employment."
The Clean Slate Committee is part of the national organization A Better Way of Thinking. If you want to find out more about the committee and A Better Way of Thinking, check out this website.
Dubbed "Ban the Box," the initiative would end municipalities' practice of asking job applicants if they are convicted felons and put off a background check until after a job offer is made. If a check uncovers a conviction, the offer could be rescinded only if the offense for which the person was convicted is relevant to the job. Boston recently adopted the measure. Advocates say this is an important step forward since many felons are denied the chance of getting a job just by admitting that they have a criminal record.
Now, the Clean Slate Committee is bringing the idea to Connecticut and it is working to have Hartford, New Britain, New Haven and Norwich adopt such an ordinance. In addition to municipal jobs, the ordinance the committee is pushing would cover companies that do business with those cities.
The Clean Slate Committee is an advocacy group that lobbies on behalf of prisoners who will soon be released and will reenter the community. David Samuels, a committee member, said ordinances have been introduced in New Haven along with Norwich and that the group is starting to build grass roots support for the proposal in New Britain before formally approaching city leaders.
On Thursday, the committee will hold a forum at the New Britain Public Library where people can learn more about the "ban the box" proposal. The forum is from 6 to 8 p.m. and the library is at 20 High St.
"We are just getting the process off the ground in New Britain," Samuels said. "The forum lets us raise awareness and see who wants to get involved."
A Google search of the phrase "ban the box" turned up this recent article on the issue by the National Employment Law Project. The NELP also had this interesting summary.
Samuels said the proposal can be a crucial part of helping people getting out of jail become productive citizens rather than turn back to crime to support themselves.
"90 percent of the people in jail will reenter society," Samuels said. "Employment is a piece of the public safety issue that's being ignored. But you need to give people the tools to become reintegrated into society. There are enough job training programs already, it's imperitive that we change hiring practices to give convicted felons a real chance at getting employment."
The Clean Slate Committee is part of the national organization A Better Way of Thinking. If you want to find out more about the committee and A Better Way of Thinking, check out this website.