If you have a criminal record, can you still claim JSA?

LittleMax

Dunroamin wrote: »

So all crime is purely accidental?

No, but people don't generally weigh things up properly before committing crime.

Elvisia

The problem is if people with criminal records can't get benefits in order to get themselves back into work at some point they will be forced to turn to crime. If someone comes out of prison and is 'going straight' they will still need money to survive. I was told by my advisor at the JCP when I was signing on that quite a few of the people who signed on at the same time as me had criminal records, and a couple had them for murder! I didn't really believe it until I started talking to one chap who had just come out of prison, he kept saying about his friend dying so I googled him when I got home - the guy had killed his friend when they were both out working as bin men!!!

The advisor said that I was more likely to be sanctioned and pushed off benefits as they knew I would survive, whereas someone with no skills, qualifications or back-up would be solely dependant on the state.

barbarawright

I have an in-law who killed a member of his own family. He has a serious mental illness and after years in a secure unit, he now lives on benefits, in a LHA flat, doing a bit of voluntary work and with occasional further spells in hospital and with the support of the rest of his family. I suppose people here would rather he lived on the streets, in hiding from his family and perhaps driven to crime he would never have contemplated had he not had post-conviction support?

skintandscared_2

A convicted criminal who is now back in society has served a punishment for what they did in whatever form the court decided. Surely the ideal goal after that is for them to become a proper and contributing member of society again? How will that be achieved if they are penniless and living on the streets? Merely to stay alive they will be forced into theft/burglary. Of course they will not be able to walk straight from prison into a cosy house and new job - it will take some time.

I am very uncomfortable with the idea of these people being left penniless and starving and not being given the minimal assistance to rebuild their lives and repay their debt to society.

princessdon

skintandscared wrote: »

A convicted criminal who is now back in society has served a punishment for what they did in whatever form the court decided. Surely the ideal goal after that is for them to become a proper and contributing member of society again? How will that be achieved if they are penniless and living on the streets? Merely to stay alive they will be forced into theft/burglary. Of course they will not be able to walk straight from prison into a cosy house and new job - it will take some time.

I am very uncomfortable with the idea of these people being left penniless and starving and not being given the minimal assistance to rebuild their lives and repay their debt to society.

Ideally I get that, however, I have no issue with an ex offender washing my car, typing letters etc, I'd not want them near my children or elderly relatives. There is a vast difference between someone who offended last month and you have no idea if they are reformed than someone who say had a ruck as a teenager and nothing since.

In short there are certain jobs that ex offenders should never be able to do unless many years ago.

Maybe some workfare will help before they apply for jobs.

skintandscared_2

princessdon wrote: »

Ideally I get that, however, I have no issue with an ex offender washing my car, typing letters etc, I'd not want them near my children or elderly relatives. There is a vast difference between someone who offended last month and you have no idea if they are reformed than someone who say had a ruck as a teenager and nothing since.

In short there are certain jobs that ex offenders should never be able to do unless many years ago.

Maybe some workfare will help before they apply for jobs.

I completely agree with everything you've said. The issue, though, is not about what job they get but whether they should be entitled to any assistance (JSA) between their release and getting a job.

princessdon

skintandscared wrote: »

I completely agree with everything you've said. The issue, though, is not about what job they get but whether they should be entitled to any assistance (JSA) between their release and getting a job.

They should have to work for it, workfare etc. this will help, I don't think they should get a free ride. The op, however, was talking about a sanction for none disclosure - and that is the same for any sanction. If you get fired fir gm then sanctions should be considered. The fact they are a criminal should not exempt them.

I knew someone at uni who "dated" a girl he met in an over 21 nightclub. He was charged because she was only 15 and he was 22. He had to sign the sex offenders register for 5 years I think. I know some deserve a 2nd chance, but I think workfare or volunteering is better than the public.

Dunroamin

LittleMax wrote: »

No, but people don't generally weigh things up properly before committing crime.

Depends what you mean by "properly".

**Patty**

princessdon wrote: »

Ideally I get that, however, I have no issue with an ex offender washing my car, typing letters etc, I'd not want them near my children or elderly relatives. There is a vast difference between someone who offended last month and you have no idea if they are reformed than someone who say had a ruck as a teenager and nothing since.

In short there are certain jobs that ex offenders should never be able to do unless many years ago.

Maybe some workfare will help before they apply for jobs.

Actually, someone with a conviction that carries a Life Licence, who is trying to rebuild their lives is probably the safest person on the schoolyard, as they will avoid jeopardising their freedom at any cost.

clemmatis

barbarawright wrote: »

I have an in-law who killed a member of his own family. He has a serious mental illness and after years in a secure unit, he now lives on benefits, in a LHA flat, doing a bit of voluntary work and with occasional further spells in hospital and with the support of the rest of his family. I suppose people here would rather he lived on the streets, in hiding from his family and perhaps driven to crime he would never have contemplated had he not had post-conviction support?

I think some people here would prefer he starved to death.

I'm glad he's doing well -- comparatively speaking -- now.