How do you know that an ex-con tradesperson is legit?

Friday1989

There's a big push for people to learn skills to increase employability in prison and if he's done 10 years, he'll have had plenty of time to learn. The biggest employers from the prison I worked in were construction and railway companies. 

If it was me, I'd probably ask more about what courses he did to see if he sounded like he was up to the job. I'd ask to see his CSCS card/proof of qualifications. If I thought he could do the job, I'd break it down into a few jobs and see the quality of workmanship and professionalism on the first job before deciding about more work. 

If ex-offenders can't get work because of their past, it makes reoffending more likely to be part of their future. 

Thrugelmir

The construction of my parents front porch was never finished by the carpenter.   He went off to do a much bigger job. Ronnie Biggs was his name. 

Rosa_Damascena

Risteard said:

He's done his time. He has already been punished. He deserves the same rights as everyone else.

Wrong. The scales fell from my eyes the other day when I realised that sex offenders searching for work get by as labourers. Nothing wrong with labouring but they escape a DBS check and I wouldn't want to risk them coming into contact with vulnerable people. 

Risteard

Rosa_Damascena said:

Risteard said:

He's done his time. He has already been punished. He deserves the same rights as everyone else.

Wrong. The scales fell from my eyes the other day when I realised that sex offenders searching for work get by as labourers. Nothing wrong with labouring but they escape a DBS check and I wouldn't want to risk them coming into contact with vulnerable people. 

It's not wrong. It's a fact. Loss of liberty was the punishment. You cannot continue to punish them ad infinitum. Criminal record checks should only show anything which is directly relevant to the work they will be carrying out, and not simply punish everyone with a criminal conviction.

Rosa_Damascena

Risteard said:

Rosa_Damascena said:

Risteard said:

He's done his time. He has already been punished. He deserves the same rights as everyone else.

Wrong. The scales fell from my eyes the other day when I realised that sex offenders searching for work get by as labourers. Nothing wrong with labouring but they escape a DBS check and I wouldn't want to risk them coming into contact with vulnerable people. 

It's not wrong. It's a fact. Loss of liberty was the punishment. You cannot continue to punish them ad infinitum. Criminal record checks should only show anything which is directly relevant to the work they will be carrying out, and not simply punish everyone with a criminal conviction.

Sex offenders don't change, its a very particular kind of addiction that is hard to beat. And they are EVERYWHERE, you would be stunned how many there are out there. You can choose to invite one into your home if it suits you, but its not a choice anyone with a vagina would willingly make.

I'm not saying the OP's tradesperson is a sex offender - but do they really know what he's been inside for? I believe in giving people a chance, but there are some people that really cannot be helped and this is one such category.

Doozergirl

Rosa_Damascena said:

Risteard said:

Rosa_Damascena said:

Risteard said:

He's done his time. He has already been punished. He deserves the same rights as everyone else.

Wrong. The scales fell from my eyes the other day when I realised that sex offenders searching for work get by as labourers. Nothing wrong with labouring but they escape a DBS check and I wouldn't want to risk them coming into contact with vulnerable people. 

It's not wrong. It's a fact. Loss of liberty was the punishment. You cannot continue to punish them ad infinitum. Criminal record checks should only show anything which is directly relevant to the work they will be carrying out, and not simply punish everyone with a criminal conviction.

Sex offenders don't change, its a very particular kind of addiction that is hard to beat. And they are EVERYWHERE, you would be stunned how many there are out there. You can choose to invite one into your home if it suits you, but its not a choice anyone with a vagina would willingly make.

I'm not saying the OP's tradesperson is a sex offender - but do they really know what he's been inside for? I believe in giving people a chance, but there are some people that really cannot be helped and this is one such category.

And there are sex offenders who have no criminal record to speak of.  Even if you are investigated for a sex crime, it would never show on a DBS check - you have to have been convicted. 

You don't know anything about anyone you meet.  You can only do the relevant checks for the job you ask them to do.  

We employed someone who had been in prison.  They learned their lesson and they were an absolute asset to us.  Sometimes inherently good people get themselves into situations.   

It's really how they prove that they're right for the job.   Real references are a good start.