ex offenders getting into work

slim1690

A good mate of mine can't find work since he's come out of prison, he's had his problems with alcohol and has got a record including burglary and violence, he's now off the beer, has turned his life around and his only remaining problem is that he can't find work anywhere. I'm aware of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act meaning his convictions will be "spent" in 5 years time and he won't have to declare them, but in the meantime, can anyone suggest any jobs he should be looking to apply for, he's at the stage where he'll do any job just to be earning money and not on benefits.

Cheers

WantToBeSE

How old is your friend? I believe that The Princes Trust run things like their Leaving Prison mentoring in most areas, and can help with qualifications which can help with job searching?
http://www.princes-trust.org.uk/about_the_trust/who_we_help.aspx

phill99

The probation service also offer advice and support As do NACRO.

Dunroamin

What work did he do before he went inside and does he have any qualification?

slim1690

He's mainly done labouring, and he's got one of the site safety cards (I have no idea what they're called!) but now he'll do anything at all. Other than that, no qualifications.

ohreally

What country is he in?

heretolearn_2

Did he not have any opportunities to study in prison? Can he look for a college course now to get some qualifications? That might help to show prospective employers that he is serious about changing his life.

colino

Realistically even with all of the agencies like APEX doing their very best, with so many experienced and skilled people chasing every job, ex-offenders are not going to rise to the top of the CV pile anytime soon.

heretolearn_2

True. I wouldn't take a risk on employing someone like that myself. Why would anyone? You don't one day believe it's perfectly ok to attack people and burgle houses, and then the next day you wake up with a totally new reformed character. If people don't know right from wrong, or if they know but simply don't care, most of them don't change. Very few criminals genuinely reform and stay out of the criminal system for long. OP, I do hope your friend is one of the few who do - but he can't do it alone.

To have a hope he's got to not only say he's changed, but prove it to everyone. That's why he probably needs to look at training/volunteering for a couple of years to try and counteract his bad record. He needs to get help from the organisations listed above. He may well need to go for treatment if he is an alcoholic, and for his anger management problems. If he thinks anyone is going to give him a job just by applying for some without any further action on his part, he's got no hope.

Caroline_a

i used to run a Probation JobClub many years ago. It was the most successful JobClub in the area for getting people into work, including the Executive one, because we encouraged our people to be honest. They all wanted to work, and that is what people want. Figures at the time showed that one third of all young men under the age of 30 had some sort of criminal record - I don't think they are much different now.

Sometimes you have to take a chance on people, there are some incredibly successful ex badboys and girls.

Wellery82

heretolearn wrote: »

True. I wouldn't take a risk on employing someone like that myself. Why would anyone?

Maybe because they admire the steps someone has taken to turn their life around, and also recognise that what has happened before does not necessarily denote who the person is today.

I have worked with ex offenders and find them to be some of the best employees going, often the gratitutde for a 2nd chance creates some of the hardest and most loyal employees you could hope for