Mission Statement

This is a blog about reentry into society for persons released from prison and the many difficulties and barriers they face. The writings contained in this blog come from personal experience and they are intended to put out information from the real life adventures I have come up against with navigating my reentry into society. The blog welcomes submissions from anyone who is or has gone through reentry after prison as well as from any authorities, organizations, etc. with information that would be help for prisoners with their reentry to society after incarceration.

Friday, May 17, 2013

Ex-offender Job Fair in Philadelphia

By Steve Gordon

This link to a story today about an ex-offender job fair says a lot about the efforts being made to put ex-offenders back to work.

http://abclocal.go.com/wpvi/story?section=news/local&id=9105996

Thursday, May 2, 2013

RE: Don't Give UP

By Steve Gordon

Just briefly I want to report that ARAMARK hired someone else for the position I applied for in the Phila. prison system.

There was no explanation and I didn't expect one. Could have been they would not be able to get me clearance because of my record. It could have been my age or it could simply have been they really liked one of the other applicants and didn't give me a call back second interview.

The situation I have now is OK, but it would be nice to earn a high wage and work full time for a while. I check the postings but there aren't a lot of positions that I can fill, mostly due to location and having a record.

Whether or not I get my Pardon in a couple years (and who knows why it takes two or three years?), the prospects for full time work doing what I know are slim. I will be older (67 or 68) even as I am in good health, etc.

Know that I will continue to look and if another opportunity comes up I will be putting in an application. However, don't ask me about job fairs as they have proved to be non productive. With either only one or two opportunities from the many participants or companies that just will not entertain employment of anyone with a record.