If you have just been released from prison and are looking for a job as soon as possible, it can be tough. Many companies won’t even consider hiring an ex-offender until they have passed certain stages of their life. However, there are some jobs that almost always hire ex-convicts, no matter how recent their crimes were or what kind of sentence they served.
Ex-offenders can find common jobs with companies that are more forgiving of criminal records than others. These jobs tend to rely on hands-on work and require little to no interaction with customers, keeping the risk of re-offending low. Consider these options when you search for a job again after being released from prison. Keep reading to find more information about common jobs for newly released ex-offenders .
Common jobs for newly released ex-offenders
If you are a newly released ex-offender and are looking for a job, you can take advantage of the many job training programs available in your community. Many of these programs offer a pre-apprenticeship or an apprenticeship, which is a great way to get started in a new career. Additionally, many training programs offer good wages and benefits. You can also check out the CareerOneStop website to find training opportunities in your area.
Many big-box stores and warehouses need clerks to handle their materials and merchandise. Warehouse clerks verify and double-check records, and they organize shipments. Ex-offenders who are familiar with technology have good opportunities in this field.
Barriers to securing a job after release
Job searchers with a criminal record need to find a way to break the barriers that prevent them from securing employment. The barriers include education, lack of work experience, and disability. It is estimated that 27% of people with criminal records are unemployed, and unemployment is a significant predictor of reincarceration. This hurts not only individuals but businesses and the community as a whole.
In addition to these barriers, people with criminal records face discrimination in the job market. Finding employment is especially difficult because the unemployment rate is so high. Those with a criminal record must learn new skills and learn to navigate technology. This means that they must relearn to type and build a network from scratch.
Employers that hire formerly incarcerated people
Employers that hire formerly incarcerate people have an advantage over those who do not. Many of them are more likely to have higher skills and can be hired at higher wages. However, if a formerly incarcerated person has not had enough training, they often end up with a low-wage job. These individuals must seek training and other intermediary services in order to get hired. In addition, employers who hire formerly incarcerated people often receive wage subsidies.
As many as 650,000 people are released from prison each year, it is important to recognize the potential of those individuals. The Committee on Corrections urges states to improve educational, vocational, and training opportunities for formerly incarcerated people. However, the majority of formerly incarcerated people lack a clear understanding of what they can offer companies in the workplace. Many of these individuals have skills in general maintenance, while a small percentage have a higher level of education.
Conclusion
The criminal justice system is full of sad stories that end with a person being released from prison and left to fend for themselves in the real world. Many struggle to find a job and housing because of the stigma attached to their criminal record. Even those who live in cities with strong reentry programs struggle to get their lives back on track, leading many ex-offenders to return to prison within five years of release. The situation is even bleaker for people who are not aware that some jobs require an applicant to disclose any criminal convictions as part of the standard application process. Most employers take a cautious approach when hiring someone with a criminal record, making it more difficult than ever for ex-offenders to find work. However, not all jobs are like that, which makes things easier for people trying to rebuild their lives after serving time.