The discrimination people experience trying to find employment when they have a criminal record can be crazy, even incredibly minor misdemeanours from years in the past can hold you back. In fact, the CRB check regime has become so over zealous that merely being investigated for something can be enough to stop you getting a job.
This needs to change. It does the economy no good at all to stop ex-offenders reintegrating into society - no job means no taxes being paid into the economy and some turn to benefits after years of trying to find employment which drains even more money from the economy.
Exclusion is not just from jobs either - take the examples of Olivia and Martha, young women who were threatened with exclusion from their college courses due to a past caution for shoplifting. Should your career be permanently blighted for this foolish act, or should te fact that both were immediately remorseful and shaken up by the experience not be punishment enough?
Yes there are some offenders who remain dangerous to whom this will not be applicable, but there are many thousands more that want nothing more than to be a part of society again and make their contribution.
Have a look at this video and hopefully you might understand where I am coming from. If you like it, share it around and be part of the push for a long overdue change in the law...
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