Would you employ a convict?

Coming from the Drink driving case at the moment, would you employ someone once they have done their time for a crime? Would you only consider depending on their conviction?

A little based on personal experience (two close friends did prison spells) but yes, I would employ an ex-convict, were I in a position to employ someone.

I would say yes (it would be on certain conditions though) but then as a former prisoner I would.

There would be some groups of people I would not consider, generally anyone who has abused kids, raped or any sexual offence.  This is only due to my own personal past.

Why limit your options?  If they have the right skills and more to prove then they may even be the better choice?

I couldnt see why not, but it would depend on the conviction and the job they were going for. (There's a reason why there are CRB checks needed for jobs with children). Coming down the scale bit would you want to put someone in to a position where they were handling credit cards when they had been convicted for credit card fraud. Ignoring the risk to your business wouldnt it be putting temptation in their way and maybe causing them to reoffend.

The motor insurance company where I worked refused to employ those with serious driving convictions (drink driving being one of them) - which kind of makes sense for a motor insurance companies

I already do but I refrain from using the word Ex Convict..

Kev

 

Being a "convict" would not preclude me from hiring someone if they had the skills and the crime did not cross my "red lines" e.g. along the lines that Glenn mentioned. With regards to Carl's comments, I have done a lot of fraud / theft work over the years including Nigeria and, in virtually all cases, two things were common. The first was personal circumstance (there but for the grace of God go any of us) and, secondly, poorly managed systems. I have never come across a fraud where management hadnt made it easy or, indeed, were compliant themselves.

I dont know but, would an ex shop lifter make a good store detective?

I am referring just to fraud / theft. I might have other views on different crimes.

Gary

 

I can see your point Gary, but equally would you put an alcoholic in charge of an off licence? Some would become great consolers for others and could run an off license very well, but others wouldn’t have that strength and would fall again. My worry is not so much that they couldn’t do the job (as you indicated systems could be put in place in the cases of fraud etc) I would be worried that it could cause a relapse and put them back years.

But the same argument applies to a non drinker doesn't it Carl?  They may not drink but may get tempted with it all on display every day for them?  Temptation is there regardless and an alcoholic does not have to have been to prison and you may not even know until too late.

I would say yes, pretty much as everyone. it would depend on the crime like everyone said sex offenders, abuser etc you just wouldnt. I agree people need second chances in most cases otherwise you end up paying for them eitherway on the dole or back in prision so might aswell try and keep them on the straight.

Glenn, the alcoholic comparison was just for the purposes of illustration, but to continue it on further. An alcoholic has a proven weakness for drink where as a non drinker hasnt. I would guess that it would be more likely that the alcoholic will end up drinking first.

The same would apply to an ex-offender who has stolen cash (for example), would it be a good idea to put them in charge of a pile of cash in anyway.

As I said I have no objections to hiring ex-offenders, and I would love to help out, however doesnt the employer have a duty not to make it difficult for them? Shouldnt the ex offender be entitled to a work situation without these extra pressures so they can get in with their rehabilitation?

Doesnt the probation service have an input on the suitability of the role to ensure both the employer and ex offender have the best chance of making it work?

 

i'd say judge each situation and each person on their own merits. Who knows what led to a prticular crime being comitted or conviction being secured, let alone whether the peron is sorry, regretful, or has compensated for their crime.

Also worth remembering of course that the only thing not having a criminal record or a having clean CRB actually "proves" is that you have never been caught!

Depends on what they've done and the job they're going for. Ultimately, as with any other potential employee, it would come down to whether you feel you could trust them to do their job, work with other employees and generally be an asset to the company.

In the case of the footballer there are specific circumstances that make it more of an issue. I can understand why fans wouldn't want someone coming out of prison and straight away being snapped up to represent their club. There are plenty of footballers I wouldn't want wearing the shirt of my club and a few who've played there who I rated as players but not as decent people. On the other hand, should someone be allowed to start again, perhaps contributing to reducing the chances of others making similar mistakes in future?

If I'm really honest I'd give preference to those that hadn't had a spell in prison but it does depend on what they were in for like some have said.
 

I'd have to think long and hard - but again, I suppose it would depend upon the crime. Like most others, I really do seek for the good in everyone - but as many of my clients are very vulnerable, and prefer sessions delivered in their own homes, I think there are more categories of crime that might give pause for thought than some.

Everyone deserves a second chance. Whether I will give it will depend on type of work, type of crime, how recent the connection was, rehabilitation since then and comfort levels (each of us has different sensitivities to different crimes).