Let's end a bad public and private industry policy that sabotages lives and communities
Kudos to the Indianapolis City-County Council for recently passing
a proposal to ban “the box” indicating felony conviction on all city- and
county-related job applications. Mayor Greg Ballard should readily affirm the ordinance
and begin to lead our region and state in re-entry reform. In fact, now is the
time for all employers to drop “the box.”
“The box,” found on most standard employment applications, has
served as a major barrier to employment opportunities, and, thereby, to
self-support, stability, and full post-incarceration reintegration into
community life for thousands of ex-felons for decades.
Inserted on job applications at the insistence of insurance
companies as a way to reduce risk, “the box” has sabotaged the recovery of
individuals, destabilized families, and undermined safety and development in
communities. “The box” has a punishing impact that has no end.
When ex-offenders are released from incarceration, it is
imperative that they soon find employment. If they do not, the trajectory of
rotten outcomes is predictable. No work means no money for housing and
self-support. This often leads to desperation, return to criminal activity
(recidivism), and community burden and risk.
Because of “the box,” taxpayers get stuck with the bill at every
turn. First, citizens pay exorbitant amounts to lock up felons in what has
become a private industry feeding frenzy and the largest outlay of State public
funds. Then, we pay the multi-layered prices of recidivism locally when ex-felons
are locked out of work: social service system dependency, family poverty, crime,
public safety, courts, etc.
Two of our toughest social issues are driven, in part, by “the
box.” Recidivism is fueled by the desperation
and frustration of unemployment. Locked out of work opportunities, many
ex-felons succumb to past criminal patterns in order to survive. Likewise, “the
box” is implicated in the homelessness that many ex-felons find as their
unwanted condition when denial of work prevents them from paying for a roof
over their heads.
Banning "the box" does not mean that employers should ignore felony records. Every employer can--and should--require background checks on job applicants after a conditional offer of employment. If the background check reveals an offense that would prevent an otherwise qualified applicant from fulfilling the job requirements, the offer can be rescinded. But, without "the box," an employer first sees a human being, not merely a criminal record.
If its original intention was to reduce business risk, “the box”
itself has become the greater risk to individuals, communities, and industry.
The costs in resultant criminal activity, re-incarceration, social service
system drag, community liabilities, and moral incoherency heavily tip the
scales. Locking out people who have paid their debt makes it insanely tough on
everyone.
There is a better bottom
line for the business and government sectors as “the box” is banned. Crime and
recidivism rates—and their related costs—will drop when those who are released
from prison can get the jobs current policies are denying them. If we want
different outcomes, we must think and act differently.
Now that the City-County Council has led the way, nonprofits and
for-profit businesses of our city and region should join in. Nonprofit Boards
of Directors should consider, deliberate, and affirm a “ban the box” policy for
the organizations they steward. It will take challenging foregone conclusions
and appealing to their insurance underwriters for changed policies. Likewise,
for-profit business leaders and managers can, in fact, actually lead instead of
wringing hands, making excuses, and passing the buck.
At this point, what is needed most is leadership. Who are the faithful
stewards of community integrity who are ready to restore sanity to re-entry
policies? Who are the aspiring leaders
who see reentry as everyone's problem and everyone's opportunity and will lead
courageously with common sense? It’s time to step up to the plate and ban “the
box” for good.
Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
www.indybikehiker.com
www.twitter.com/indybikehiker
indybikehiker@gmail.com
