tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-39452244701606686022024-03-19T05:15:26.500-04:00Reentry to SocietySteve Gordonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14046161941567443439noreply@blogger.comBlogger47125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3945224470160668602.post-43839221278048115772013-09-23T20:33:00.000-04:002013-09-23T20:33:24.133-04:00Another view of ReentryBy Steve Gordon<br />
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I got an email from a good friend I had in state prison. He was victimized by the system and his eventual parole was delayed, but he is out from behind the fences and razor wire. Here is what he wrote me, in part:<br />
<br />
<i><b>"After a 1 year hit (for no reason whatsoever), I was released from SCI XXXXXX on Aug. 15th. I'm loving everything...It's like seeing everything through the eyes of a child with the wisdom of an adult to appreciate it." </b></i><br />
<br />
MW is a US Marine veteran and a person of character. Truth be told there are more people like him behind bars (as they like to say on the TV news) and the corrections overcrowding that is a drain on the state budget could be alleviated if more were released. Unfortunately it seems the system doesn't work that way and there are still too many people out there who subscribe to the lock them up and throw away the key mentality.<br />
<br />
I responded to his email and if I can do anything to help him I will try. He asked to see some pictures, golf pictures, and I think I can accommodate that request.<br />
<br />
Stay tuned.<br />
<br />
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<br />Steve Gordonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14046161941567443439noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3945224470160668602.post-70818869304454590972013-08-17T09:09:00.001-04:002013-08-31T11:09:56.894-04:00Should Congress abolish the Equal Employment Opportunities Commission (EEOC) Guidelines ?<span style="color: red;">The following is a copy of a paper written by a college student who contacted me for insights and information on my outlook on issues of ex-felons working to became part of society after incarceration. It may be of interest to you. I have copied here in its entirety but I have edited the author's name out.</span><br />
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Should Congress abolish the Equal Employment
Opportunities Commission (EEOC) Guidelines ?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="BodyA" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 200%;">Introduction of the Social
Problems</span></div>
<div class="BodyA" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> Steven Gordon, was convicted in 2000
on aggravated assault and aggravated sexual assault charges. He was sentenced
to 10 years in prison. Once he was released from prison, he found he had a
chance to start over, but it was at an expensive cost. He lost his wife in a
divorce, he lost his house, he lost all of his money and his pension, he lost a
relationship with his daughter and son, and as a result he lost a relationship
with his grandchildren. He now lives with his elderly parents, spending most of
his time taking care of them while working a part-time job in the food
industry, and trying to repair the relationships with his children. He has
learned first-hand that reentering society as an ex-convict isn’t easy, “a slap
in the face and back to reality” as he calls it. He would replay in his mind
what he would routinely hear on his job search, “We can’t hire people who have
been convicted of a felony. It’s the law”. In his blog he writes, “Isn’t it
funny how one bad thing can overshadow an entire life of doing good things?”
This is a perfect example of someone who has been convicted of a crime, served
their time, and is struggling trying to reenter society. One of the most
important parts of “re-entry” is finding employment, however having a criminal
record could be a significant barrier. The greatest barrier felons have when
seeking employment is the fact that 80% of all employers use background checks
when conducting hiring decisions (Ford, 2009). Seeing any type of crime on
someone’s background check can quickly result in tossing out their application.
Many ex-convicts have a hard time finding not only a good job, but a job in
general. Employers are reluctant to hire an ex-felon out of fear of legal
liability and safety. Now employers risk facing civil lawsuits and charges of
discrimination if a criminal background check rules out someone who is
qualified thanks to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s (EEOC) new
Guidelines. This prompts the debate regarding whether or not Congress should
abolish the United States Equal Employment Opportunities Commission (EEOC)
Guidelines on employers accessing criminal records of job seekers. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> The United States has the highest
incarceration rates in the world. According to Ross and Richards (2009) in
their book </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman Italic","serif";">Beyond
Bars: Rejoining Society After Prison, </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">over
7 million juvenile and adults are in correctional custody. Out of those 7
million people, 2.3 million are incarcerated and 4.2 million are on probation,
with around 785,000 people on parole. Every year in the United States, about 15
million people are arrested and spend at least one night in jail (Ross and
Richards, 2009). These statistics show
large amounts of people flow into the criminal justice system every year and as
a result, many will also come out. There are real concerns for the public
safety when felons get released from prison because they are likely to fall
back into crime. According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics in 2007, about
1.2 million people were at risk for being reincarcerated, when in fact about
16% of them were rearrested. Among the 300,000 released individuals from 15
states, 67% of them were incarcerated within 3 years (Bureau Justice of
Statistics, 2013). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="BodyA" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: 31.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">High
incarceration affects millions of people, however these rates across the United
States are unequal. High incarceration rates are usually concentrated in urban
impoverished communities, inhabited by minority populations (Clear and Tonry,
2008). Although anyone has the possibility of being arrested, records show
minority men most often finds themselves behind bars. About 90% of men are
currently behind bars and men are 10 times more likely to be arrested than
women (Ross and Richards, 2009). The Bureau of Justice Statistics estimates
that 9% of all men will spend time in a federal or state prison at some point
in their lives and this estimate is increasing.</span> <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">According to the Equal Employment Opportunities
Commission (EEOC) imprisonment rates for African American men are 7 times
higher than white men and almost 3 times higher than Hispanic men (Bovard, J.,
2013). African Americans only make up 13% of the general U.S. population, but
African American men and women make up almost 50% of those incarcerated. These
rates have shed light on the criminal justice system and has many questioning
the racial stereotypes that might drive their practices. Thompson (2008)
believes that this is an alarming statistic and it is unfortunate that the
incarceration of these individuals is undermining the development of their
communities and their potential of being responsible members of society. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="BodyB" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> High incarceration rates don’t only
affect those who are imprisoned, but can actually have serious consequences on
those who may never be imprisoned themselves (Clear and Tonry, 2008). High
incarceration rates can have devastating effects on the children and families
of those behind bars and even the safety and infrastructure of a community.
There are estimates of about 2.3 million children, or almost 3% of the under-18
population has a parent in prison (Clear and Tonry, 2008). Several studies have
found that a child who has a parent in prison are three to four times more
likely to become a delinquent and two and a half times more likely to develop a
mental disorder (Clear and Tonry, 2008). Researchers also suggest a connection
between parental incarceration and school failure, underemployment, and illegal
drug use (Clear and Tonry, 2008).
One-fourth of juveniles arrested and convicted of a crime have children at the
time of their incarceration (Clear and Tonry, 2008). In addition, there is
evidence that “high rates of incarceration destabilizes families, increases
rates of delinquency, increases rates of teenage births, foster alienation of
youth from prosocial norms, damages social networks, and weakens labor markets”
(Clear, and Tonry, 2008)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="BodyB" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> Another population of people
affected by high incarceration rates who don’t live in the urban communities
most prone to high arrest rates is the taxpayer. Even the average person is
affected by high incarceration rates because they give taxes to the state and
federal governments which contribute to incarcerating the criminal population.
The average cost per inmate in 2001 was $22,650 or $62.05 a day (Stephan,
2004). In just one fiscal year in 2001, the Bureau Justice of Statistics (BJS)
reported that correctional authorities spent over $38 billion. Although that
doesn’t seem like much, the millions of people incarcerated becomes costly
especially overtime. In fact, a large part of federal spending includes
maintaining prisons. According to BJS, the top state expenditures in 2001 are
education ($374.5 billion), public welfare ($260.3 billion), health ($43.7
billion), total corrections ($38.2 billion), prisons ($29.5 billion), natural
resources ($17.3 billion) (Stephan, 2004). As a result, supporting the prison
systems is something that many money, taxes, and resources will be dedicated to
decades to come. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="BodyA" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> As you can see these social problems
of high incarceration rates, overrepresentation of minorities incarcerated,
government spending, and its negative impacts on families, relationships and
the future of communities are a cycle and each deeply affects the other. High
incarceration rates of minorities negatively impact their communities in
economic ways but it also precipitates their children to follow in their
criminal footsteps. Objective harm is affecting those incarcerated, their
children, families, communities, and society at large. Everyone has known
someone behind bars are will be incarcerated at some point in their lives. “As
many as 700,000 families have a loved one behind bars on any given day” (Clear
and Tonry, 2008). Their harm still continues once released through social
stigma, the public’s perceptions, and discrimination regarding their criminal
record that will always follow them. This concerns many researchers and
advocates are concerned because they fully understand the barriers the recently
released will face. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="BodyA" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> The last social problem is
recidivism rates. Imprisonment as punishment is meant to teach those
incarcerated a lesson. They are supposed to learn that what they did was wrong
and they should not commit another crime. Being incarcerated should prompt a
change in the offenders’ assessment of the benefits and costs of crime so they
weigh the costs of crime more heavily and it should increase their favoring of
legitimate work instead of illegal means to live (Freeman, 2003). However, not
many people learn that lesson. “About one third of those who are imprisoned
once, get imprisoned again; of those who go a second time, four-fifths will
return repeatedly” (Clear and Tonry, 2008). Prison was intended to get people
out of a life of crime, but sometimes it turns people into a life with crime.
For many men released between the ages of 20-40, prison becomes a revolving
door (Freeman, 2003). Research data shows the vast majority of prisoners are
recidivating back into a life of crime, meaning they are not being properly
rehabilitated (Freeman, 2003). About two-thirds of prisoners released from
prison are re-arrested and one-half are re-incarcerated within three years of
their release from prison (Freeman, 2003). After three years, rates of
recidivism rise to a 75%-80% chance of likelihood to be rearrested, and this
number doesn’t increase until the men hit their mid-forties (Freeman, 2003). As
you can see, recidivism remains to be a huge problem. However, the key to a
successful reentry into society for a ex-felon is to find housing and a stable
job.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> Causes
of High Incarceration Rates <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="BodyB" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> According the Michael Tonry (1999)
there are five explanations to why United States incarceration rates are so
high. The first reason is empirical. It states that crime rates in the U.S.
aren’t higher than any other country’s in the world. Incarceration rates have
increased because it because the most desired strategy politicians enacted as a
means to lower crime rates. (Tonry, 1999). The second explanation is that
public opinion has largely controlled incarceration rates. Once city surveys
show the American public believe crime and drugs are the most pressing
problems, city leaders express that sentencing guidelines are too lenient and
demand tougher penalties (Tonry, 1999). As a result, elected officials respect
the public’s wishes and enact tougher laws (Tonry, 1999). The third is the
journalistic explanation which refers to the mass media’s over-reporting of
sensational news stories such as crime in order to show that crime is occurring
more than it actually is, creating a crime myth (Kappeler and Potter, 2005). It
is the mass media, the government, and reform groups who lobby their interests
that are the most powerful myth makers because they select what the public
should see as a crime problem in order to garner the type of support they want
to pass certain laws (Kappeler, and Potter, 2005). The forth reason is
political. Crime and punishment have always been a priority on American
political agendas since the Civil Rights movements (Tonry, 1999). The
Democratic and Republican parties have disagree on issues of crime control,
welfare, and affirmative action (Tonry, 1999). Once one of these parties are in
office, policies are enacted or change to become more harsh or loose depending
on what they think will be effective, causing fluctuations in incarceration
rates (Tonry, 1999). The last explanation is historical. Although it is
complex, it is “interaction between crime trends, public attitudes, and policy
that shape our thoughts, our policy debates, and our policies, creating a
predictable result” (Tonry, 1999).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Definitions<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="BodyA" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> The most important terms in this
paper are “ban the box”, “reentry”, and “recidivism”. “Ban the box” is a
movement counties, cities, and even some states have been taking on. It is a
nationwide effort to remove the box on an employment application that asks if
those job-seeking have ever been convicted of a crime. This process delays the
inquiry until later on in the interview process that way a person with criminal
record is not immediately screened out before the employer sees how qualified
they are for the job (Henry, 2008; United States Equal Employment Opportunities
Commission, 1987). It should be clear that background screening can be
conducted as well as questions regarding their criminal history. However, this
could depend on what the city agrees upon. The main purpose behind ban the box
is to give felons more opportunities at being considered for a job. However,
ban the box is not obligating employers to hire ex-convicts. It is simply
giving ex-convicts who are qualified for a job a more fair chance at being
evaluated based on their skill level and not their past. “Reentry” refers to
the release of the ex-convicts from prison and their transition back into a
normal civilian life. Lastly, “recidivism” occurs when a prisoner engages in
criminal activity within the first three years of their release and they were
either arrested, convicted, and/or sent back to prison (Bureau of Justice
Statistics, 2013).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Limitations<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="BodyA" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> For the purpose of this paper, I
will be focusing on felons and ex-convicts overall, but I might go into
specific types of crimes and the differences in the treatment by society as it
becomes relevant. An issue that comes up in the research alongside criminal
background checks is credit checks. This is something I will not be discussing
because I am not interested in the financial plight of reentry. I will also
limit discussing the obstacles of employment regarding those of mental illness,
substance abuse history, and sex offenders. I will include points regarding
housing but only as it is relevant to discussing successful reentry into
society as it would provide stability for felons. Housing is just as important
as finding employment for felons but for the focus of the paper, it is best not
to include another topic as it would make my paper too broad and much longer.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="BodyA" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">History <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="BodyA" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> To further understand the causes of
high incarceration rates and recidivism we must examine the history behind this
social problem. Incarceration as a form of punishment has always been a part of
civilized society. Although imprisonment has been a part of early colonial life
in the United States, it wasn’t until the 20th and 21st centuries that dramatic
changes took place. From 1970 to 2010, the United States has the highest
incarceration rate than any other country in the world (Thompson, 2010). In
2006 alone, over 7.3 million people were involved in the criminal justice
system either by being in jail, prison, or on parole or probation (Thompson,
2010). In the most recent years, soaring incarceration rates have become
problematic as they have had devastating costs on taxpayers, the millions of
felons themselves and their families, the economy, policymakers, and society as
a whole. But how did it get this way? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="BodyA" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> In the 1800s and 1900s, the United
States was undergoing their Industrial Revolution. Many immigrated from all
over the world looking for a new life settling into large cities where work
could be found in factories. Larger cities, or urban areas, became crime
hotspots because the population was both dense and diverse. After WWII, the
urban cities that were once the livelihood of the U.S. soon experienced deep
racial and political conflicts, enormous distress from “economic
disinvestment”, and inevitable poverty (Thompson, 2010). “Criminalization of
urban space” began to occur and produced mass incarceration. This is the
process of minority urban dwellers [both men and women] become increasingly
supervised, regulated, and oftentimes apprehended (Thompson, 2010). However,
law enforcement’s focus or ‘scrutiny’ on urban African Americans had roots in
earlier decades because of previous prejudices (Thompson, 2010). Researchers
and social scientists at the time, collected census data trying to ‘prove’ that
African Americans were apt to be criminally deviant and therefore needed more
surveillance (Thompson, 2010). In addition, the white working class was no
longer associated with criminality as they had new citizenship and a new class
position. Instead, society began shifting its attention to the poor urban
African Americans and oftentimes blamed them for all new crime issues occurring
in America. As a result, Caucasian Americans were becoming concerned for their
safety and called for more policing (Thompson, 2010). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="BodyA" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> The civil rights movements of the
1960s, also called the “Second Reconstruction” symbolized the rebirth of the
United States via social activism (Thompson, 2010). Revolutions and social
protests demanded equality and an end of discrimination for marginalized
groups, such as ethnic minorities, women, prisoner’s rights, and lesbian, gay,
transgender and bisexual people. The United States Congress then passed the
Civil Rights Act of 1964. This law made it illegal to discriminate against
someone based on their race, color, religion, national origin, or sex. It also
made it illegal to retaliate against anyone who complained, filed, or was
involved in a case regarding discrimination (United States Equal Employment
Opportunities Commission, 1987). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="BodyA" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> Even though laws granting equality
were passed, that doesn’t mean people were treated equally. This is especially
true regarding drug legislation the 1970s. In 1973, New York State passed the
Rockefeller drug laws, named after the previous governor Nelson Rockefeller.
These laws enforced stricter penalties on all criminals, but particularly those
who engaged in the use, possession, and distribution of illegal drugs
(Thompson, 2010). Consequently, by the mid-1970s, New York’s prison population
soared. By the 1990s, over 30% of those in prison were convicted of drug
offenses (Thompson, 2010). The nation followed suit, and the incarceration
rates of the urban populations skyrocketed (Thompson, 2010). Law enforcement
nationwide raged their new war on drugs specifically towards cities and
minority communities (Thompson, 2010). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="BodyA" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> By beginning of the 1980s, the
prison population was high. The data began showing how a large number of the
prison population included individuals of color, this prompted the United State
Equal Employment Opportunities Commission to take action. In November of 1985
at a commission hearing, the commission approved of a policy modification that
deemed necessary in the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Under Title VII, the law
prohibits any employer that discriminates against a person because of his or
her criminal record, particularly concerned with the discrimination against
minorities with a record. If an employer was alleged to be discriminatory against a potential employee
based off of their record, they must prove that their decision was justified
by: “(1) the nature and gravity of the offense(s), (2) the time that has passed
since the conviction and/or completion of the sentence, and (3) the nature of
the job sought or held” (United States Equal Employment Opportunities
Commission, 1987). The EEOC’s reasoning behind this law was that simply
screening out applicants with a record will result in a discriminatory effect
on African-Americans and Latinos because of their overrepresentation in the
prison population. As a result, in 1987, the EEOC ruled that only records that
lead to convictions, <u>not</u> arrests, would be reasonable grounds in hiring
decisions (United States Equal Employment Opportunities Commission, 1987). Ever
since these guidelines have been passed, the EEOC has been investigating cases
regarding criminal record discrimination. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="BodyA" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> A few decades later, in the early
2000s the numbers of released prisoners were beginning to climb. In 2004,
Boston had become the first city to pass “ban the box” legislation (Rodriguez,
and Emsellem, 2013).</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman Bold","serif";">
</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">According to the
Formerly Convicted Citizens Project website, “banning the box will allow
qualified people with criminal history records to more fairly for employment,
will contribute to increased public safety, will decrease recidivism, and will
bring economic benefits to their families as well as their community”. Over the
next eight years more than 43 jurisdictions across the United States have
passed ban the box legislation. Currently, ban the box legislation isn’t
nationwide, it is typically enacted at a city or county level, however some
states have passed ban the box legislation, such as Colorado and New Mexico
(Rodriguez and Emsellem, 2013). Proponents of ban the box would love to see it
eventually passed at a federal level.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="BodyA" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> As of April 2012, the EEOC passed
its first Enforcement Guidelines regarding employers’ use of arrest and
conviction records when making hiring decisions (Lessack, 2013). They made it
clear that if employers had any criminal convictions policies that had a direct
impact on race and/or national origin, they would have to defend their policies
before the EEOC (Lessack, 2013). The Guidance does recognize that denying
employment of someone with a criminal record cannot be a violation of Title VII
unless it relates to discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or
national origin (Lessack, 2013). However, it can fall under Title VII if there
is a charge of intentional discrimination or if it can be proven that an
employer treated applicants with comparable criminal records differently
(Lessack, 2013). The EEOC strongly advises that employers not use blanket
policies against convictions for criminal records, encourages employers to
disregard arrests that didn’t lead to convictions, and highly encourages
employers to conduct individualized assessments of applicants with criminal
convictions (Don, 2013). Next, the EEOC
says when conducting an individualized assessment they should consider factors
such as: the nature or gravity of the offense in relationship to the duties of
the job and the time since the conviction or completion of the sentence,
relationship between the person’s records and the duties of the job, the age of
the person when they were convicted, and evidence of rehabilitation and use
these to determine whether they are a good fit for the company and the job
(Don, 2013).. They should also allow the prospective employee the chance to
discuss and refute any information found in a background check. Some states
such as Maryland and Virginia have passed laws prohibiting an employee seeking
a job to disclose any criminal charges in an interview when they have been
expunged from their record or those that did not result in a conviction (Don,
2013). Sometimes federal and state level jobs are exempt from the ban the box
legislation. Jobs that are federal, or public such as transportation, and jobs
exposing ex-convicts to vulnerable populations such as the sick, the elderly,
or the young are exempt from ban the box as background screenings are necessary
to make sure vulnerable populations are taken advantage of (Roberts, 2004).
Some opponents of the new EEOC guidelines are not happy about the guidelines,
especially because they mainly impact private businesses. Let’s examine these
controversies a little further. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="BodyA" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="BodyB" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Opponent and Proponent
Stakeholders<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="BodyB" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> Opponents believe the EEOC was
correct in placing restrictions on employers’ access to criminal records
throughout the application process and the EEOC Guidelines should not be
abolished by Congress. Some general opponent stakeholders includes academia
involved in researching criminology, criminal justice, and sociology. Some other
general opponents might include civil rights groups and advocacy groups that
focus on issues of race, discrimination, and prisoner’s rights, etc. Some
specific opponent stakeholders include the United States Equal Employment
Opportunities Commission, the National Law Employment Project, and the National
H.I.R.E. Network. The United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission is
the government’s authority for the enforcement of federal laws making it
illegal to discriminate against a job applicant. Businesses and companies with
at least 15 employees are subject to the EEOC’s laws. The EEOC is currently
investigating cases and administering their federal guidelines employers should
consider during the hiring process (United States Equal Employment Opportunities
Commission, 2013). The National Employment Law Project is an advocacy group
that partners with national, state, and local allies, to promote programs for
economic equality, security, and opportunity. They support programs that create
good jobs, enforce workers-rights, and help those unemployed regain their
footing (The National Employment Law Project, 2013). The National H.I.R.E.
Network is an advocacy group whose goal is to increase the amount of good job
opportunities to those with criminal records by promoting changes to public
policies, employment practices, and pubic opinions. They often collaborate with
other advocacy groups, practitioners, policymakers, and those in the criminal
justice system (The National H.I.R.E. Network, 2013).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="BodyB" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> Proponents believe the EEOC
Guidelines should be abolished by Congress. The EEOC should not place
restrictions or any guidelines on their private business practices, and they
should have full access to the criminal records of those seeking employment
with them. Some general stakeholders may include independent, small, private,
corporate, or organizational business owners. Other general stakeholders may
include people employed in the human resource department of the federal, state,
public, or private sector. Lastly, some general stakeholders may include
lawyers that represent business owners best interests and background screening
companies. Some specific proponent stakeholders include the National
Association for Professional Background Screeners, the Heritage Foundation, and
Carco Group, Inc. The National Association of Professional Background Screeners
is an organization dedicated to representing the interests of companies by
providing tenant, employment and background screenings. They also provide
standards and the promotion of ethical business practices as well as a reliable
and competent screening practice (National Association of Professional
Background Screeners, 2013). The Heritage Foundation is a research, educational
and think tank who constructs and advocates conservative public policies based
around individual freedom, limited government, free enterprise, traditional
American vales, and a strong national defense. They are one of the nation’s
largest public policy research organizations (The Heritage Foundation, 2013).
Carco Group, Inc is a company dedicated to supplying their employer clients
with a reliable, stable, and accurate means of with “critical information” in
order maximize risk mitigation. They pride themselves on their leadership and
integrity and professional services to the companies they serve (Carco Group,
Inc, 2013).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="BodyB" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="BodyB" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Opponent and Proponent Arguments<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="BodyB" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> The main three arguments that both
proponents and opponents of keeping the EEOC Guidelines touch on include:
discrimination of ex-felons, workplace and public safety, and legitimacy of
using criminal records in hiring decisions.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman Bold","serif";"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Let’s
first start with the opponent’s perspectives. Once ex-felons are released, they
face a number of structural barriers including, employer discrimination and
legal limitations of what types of jobs they can obtain (Henry, 2008).
Opponents of abolishing the Guidelines believe they help prevent discriminatory
hiring practices. They claim that some employers not only discriminate against
ex-felons because of their criminal record, but they could possibly racially
discriminating too. They cite evidence from Devah Pager’s experimental results
showed out of the white job seekers without a criminal record they received
twice as many calls back (34%) from employers compared to their white
counterparts with a criminal record (17%). While on the other hand, African
Americans without a criminal record only received 14% calls back, which is
almost three times more than the African Americans with a criminal record (5%)
(Henry and Jacobs, 2007).</span> <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">It
is the preconceived notion that blacks are “dangerous” and “criminal” that
become rationals for employers to discriminate during the hiring process
(Sampson and Laub, 1993). As mentioned previously, other structural forms of
discrimination include high incarceration rates. The EEOC backs up these claims
using research from Bovard’s study in 2013 that African American men were 7
times higher than white men and almost 3 times higher than Hispanic men. In
November of 1985, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission believed
businesses denying individuals’ employment because of their conviction records
is becoming increasingly problematic. The members of the EEOC agreed that an
employer’s policy or practice of excluding individuals from employment on the
basis of their conviction records has an adverse impact on African Americans
and Hispanics in light of the high incarceration rates. As a result, the EEOC
upheld and still upholds that such practices and policies are discriminatory in
nature, and therefore violate the Civil Rights Act of 1964 under Title VII, in
the absence of justifying business necessity (United States Equal Employment
Opportunities Commission, 1987). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="BodyB" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman Bold","serif";"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Another claim opponents make is that having a stable
job increases public safety by reducing recidivism rates. Criminologists are in
a universal agreement that ex-felons are less likely to drift back to criminal
activity if they lack employment opportunities (Henry, 2008). Lockwood, Nally,
Knutson & Ho’s results (2012) have shown that “post-release employment is
the single most important predictor of successful reentry or recidivism because
it provides former prisoners with a consistent source of funding for food,
shelter, clothing, transportation and increases feelings of self-efficacy and
self-sufficiency, while building confidence in released prisoners that they can
support themselves without needing to resort to criminal activities and serves
as a protective factor against future criminal activity ”. Cities in the U.S.
have realized when ex-offenders lack employment prospects they are at risk for
increased rates of recidivism, as well as public safety, social, and economic
costs. As a result various U.S. cities and counties have begun experimenting
with legislation to help provide more employment opportunities for felons and
what they came up with was “ban the box” legislation (Henry, 2008). Lockwood,
Nally, Knutson, & Ho also found in their 2012 study that 53% of offenders
found a job in less than a year, while the other 47% took at least one year or
more to find a job. This becomes scary because two-thirds of prisoners are
rearrested and one-half are reincarcerated within three years after their
release (Freeman, 2003). Thus by ex-convicts finding stable jobs their
communities become a safer place. Without legislation such as ban the box it
makes it harder for felons find work and a place to live making them ever
closer to homelessness (Simmons, 2010). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="BodyB" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman Bold","serif";"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">The last main argument opponents and proponents
disagree on is whether or not accessing and viewing criminal records is
legitimate enough to be considered in hiring decisions. Opponents believe
ex-felons have already paid their debt to society and served their time in
prison and therefore deserve a chance at starting over. Opponents do not
believe criminal records provide legitimate grounds to reject an ex-felon job
application. There are millions of people every year getting arrested and
convicted of minor charges. For example, back in 2004, a company on Wall Street
was prepared to hire a candidate for a high-level position when they had found
on the FBI database he was arrested for breaking and entering (which he forgot
to mention) in Atlanta a few years earlier (Roberts, 2004). When asked to
explain his record, the investigators discovered he had broke and entered onto
his own property when he was checking on it after the previous tenants moved
out without paying rent. The charges were dropped, but the arrest stayed on his
record (Roberts, 2004). Ken Springer, the investigator of this case and
president of Corporate Resolutions Inc, a background screening company, said he
had to dig deep to confirm these charges were dismissed. He also claims relying
only on online databases is one of the worst practices, because even the FBI
database (which is considered the gold standard) is often incomplete (Roberts,
2004). “Many of the people in these databases never go to jail. So if you find
a record, talk to the candidate. Don’t have an inquisition, have a
conversation”, says Springer (Roberts, 2004). In a 2010 poll from the Society
for Human Resource Management, found organizations and agencies that are hired
by businesses check for criminal records in 73% of all job candidates (Roberts,
2004). Bill Kesser, the assistant director of HR in the city of Boston even
states that criminal backgrounds do not matter for a large number of jobs, but
by keeping the question on application we are saying it does. Upon passing ban
the box legislation, he says Boston doesn’t want to create an underclass of
people out of work (Roberts, 2004). As a result, you cannot always trust that
background checks will be accurate, therefore it is not a legitimate and
reliable means of justifying the refusal to hire someone with a record. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="BodyB" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman Bold","serif";"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">In contrast, proponents do not agree that they are
discriminating against ex-felons because of their criminal records. Proponents
of abolishing the EEOC Guidelines acknowledge the data proving the prison
inmate population is highest among African Americans and Hispanics. However,
they say the result of most prisons being made up of minorities is not because
of structural discrimination in the criminal justice system and policing
practices, but it is simply because African Americans and Hispanics are the
ones committing more crime (von Spakovsky, 2012). Other refutes against the
opponent discrimination argument include the fact that there is no federal law
against turning away someone seeking employment from a business if they have a
criminal record (von Spakovsky, 2012). Proponents say that the EEOC Guidelines
are built on “faulty premises” because felons are not a protected class under
federal law. Under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, protected classes
against discrimination are on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, or
national origin (von Spakovsky, 2012). As a result, employers are not racially
discriminating against ex-felons seeking employment. But they are entitled to
the right to turn away someone with a criminal record and they are not legally
liable. Furthermore, the proponents say EEOC Guidelines in place actually
backfire and make it harder for African Americans and Hispanics to find
employment. They claim that because employers overestimate the likelihood that
African American and Hispanic job applicants have prior felony convictions,
background checks that show they have a clean record may actually increase the
likelihood that they will be hired (von Spakovsky, 2012). Results of a survey
data in 2009 collected from the Multi-city Study of Urban Inequality, showed
that out of the 600 establishments surveyed, the hiring rates of black men
increased once employers performed background checks during the hiring process
(von Spakovsky, 2012). In conclusion, proponents raise the question that the
EEOC Guidelines might contribute to workplace discrimination. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="BodyB" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman Bold","serif";"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">While opponents of abolishing the Guidelines point
out that employing felons can increase public safety while reducing recidivism,
proponents refute this. They believe opponents are ignoring data on recidivism
of felons. Proponents believe that a felon cannot be “judged to be less or
equally likely to commit a future violent act than individuals who have no
prior violent history. It is possible that those differences are small but
making such predictions is extremely difficult and the criminological
discipline provides no good basis for making predictions with any assurance
they will be correct” (von Spakovsky, 2012). However, proponents’ main concerns
revolve around workplace safety. It is the job of the business owners, the
human resource departments, and background screening companies to keep
workplaces safe and free of harm. If employers are nott careful they can not
only bring about harm to their employees, but harm to economic prosperity as
well. Proponents point to a scary example. In 2010, a biology professor at the
University of Alabama in Huntsville shot and killed three of her colleagues and
wounded three others after she was denied tenure (von Spakovsky, 2012). The
university didn’t conduct a criminal background search because if they did they
would have found she was convicted in 2002 for a misdemeanor assault and
disorderly conduct. Proponents said that under the EEOC’s Guidelines, such a
misdemeanor conviction wouldn’t have been enough for the university to refuse
to employ her. However, the propensity for violent conduct revealed by the
conviction on her record “manifested itself tragically at the school eight
years later” (von Spakovsky, 2012). It is the dangers such as these that
companies, business owners, human resource departments, and background
screening companies are so desperately trying to prevent. Furthermore, the EEOC
Guidelines are putting employers at risk for financial harm exposing them to
serious liabilities. Employers are at risk of facing civil lawsuits for racial
discrimination by the EEOC and for negligent hiring lawsuits filed by their
current employees which are now becoming commonplace (von Spakovsky, 2012). By
taking these matters to court, employers could suffer their economic success through
the loss of customers and valuable time and money spent in court. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="BodyB" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> Lastly, proponents of abolishing the
Guidelines believe using criminal histories are a legitimate means to justify a
hiring decision. They strongly believe that criminal records should remain
public record for anyone to be able to view every time. By the EEOC placing
restrictions on employer’s access to viewing criminal records, the companies
and employees are now at risk. Employers believe that it is their right to be
able to access criminal histories because it is public record and it is
essential to know in order to assess the risk of hiring a prospective employee.
An example of the potential liability employers are exposed to when hiring
convicted felons is a case that reached the Indiana Court of Appeals in March
2012. A motel was successfully sued by the estate of one of its guests when
they were robbed and murdered by a prior employee who obtained the motel’s
master key. The motel had not done a criminal background check on the employee,
which would have shown their prior criminal history that included juvenile
battery, criminal trespassing, burglary, theft, and stolen property (von
Spakovsky, 2012). As a result, opponents believe there should not be any
federal guidelines placing restrictions on their ability to access a
job-seeker’s criminal records during the hiring practices. Business owners and
human resource departments should have the right to make their own best
judgement calls especially when it comes to deciding who is best for the open
position at their company. Legal guidance is the answer, not censorship (von
Spakovsky, 2012). Furthermore, employers feel like they are being forced into
hiring people they don’t feel comfortable employing and they are put into a
situation they aren’t happy with.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="BodyB" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="BodyB" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Current Plans and Actions<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="BodyB" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> As for what is happening currently,
there is no policy currently being lobbied at the federal level. Various cities
and counties across the United States could be lobbying for ban the box to pass
through their city council, but for the most part everyone is going at their
own pace. It only seems to get brought up if there is a special group lobbying
for it or if a city political leader decides they want to pass it. At the
federal level, the EEOC continues to try to enforce their Guidelines and they
are actively investigating cases that come to their attention and pursue them
to court. For example, in January of 2012 Pepsi paid $3.1 million to settle the
EEOC’s charges over screening out applicants who had arrest records and vowed
to take a more individualized approach regarding the consideration of an
applicant’s background (Katel, 2012). For the most part, opponents of the EEOC
guidelines are doing their best to consider the guidelines regarding the hiring
processes. Some human resource departments are educating their hiring staff on
the EEOC guidelines and making sure they are familiar with the policies.
Interestingly enough, my interviews with experts in hiring and background
screening were not familiar with either the EEOC Guidelines or the Ban the Box
legislation. On the other hand, some Human Resource departments are trying to
find loopholes in the EEOC guidelines as well. Nixon and Kerr in their book </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman Italic","serif";">Background Screening and
Investigations: Managing hiring risk from the HR and security perspectives </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">(2008) wrote about the issue
regarding discrimination against previously incarcerated individuals seeking a
job. They said employers could have “ a solid defense if you have previously
classified a job as sensitive and identified the criminal offenses that would
preclude a person from consideration for the position”. Other stakeholders such
as the National Association for Professional Background Screeners are
constantly involved in educating its members to empower themselves to better
serve their employer clients. Another group that currently lobbies is the
Formerly Convicted Citizens Project. They are are dedicated to educating the
public on the issues associated with felon reentry by spreading personal stories
of ex-convicts and trying to get volunteers to sign a petition, and encouraging
citizens to call their city council in support ban the box legislation. If
invited, the FCCP will also come out and speak to a group about these issues.
Essentially, there hasn’t been a large current social movement regarding felon
re-entry and ban the box legislation because it only concerns city ordinances
and counties at a time. So when support or opposition occurs, it doesn’t ripple
across the rest of the United States, but instead stays in that region with
people divided among the issue. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="BodyA">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="BodyB" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Critical Analysis of Opponent
Arguments <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="BodyB" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> As mentioned earlier, opponents
contested that employers were discriminating against not only ex-felons but
also colored ex-felons. They used Devah Pager’s results highlighting that even
whites with criminal records (17%) get more calls back from employers in
comparison to African Americans with a clean record (14%). Devah Pager, is a
credible academic, receiving her Master’s degree in conducting Sociological
experiments from Stanford University. Her study was a field experiment which is
the most valuable and credible research design that can be carried out because
a variable that is manipulated in the natural environment making the results
more reliable. Her results were published in a peer reviewed journal, showing
more strength in their field results and credibility because her methodology
was carefully scrutinized by her fellow professionals in the field of
Sociology. This study’s results were published in 2003, making these results
ten years old. If someone were to repeat her results in the present-day, she
would have more credibility. She also duplicated the findings that Schwartz and
Skolnick found in the 1960s, so that says something that at least 4 decades
later that racial discriminatory hiring practices was still occurring. There is
possibility racial discrimination in hiring practices still exists. Lastly,
regarding Pager’s study, her results might not be completely sufficient. The
job-postings her research subjects responded to where within a very limited
geographic location. They only replied to job postings to interview for that
were within a 25-mile radius from downtown Milwaukee, Wisconsin. In addition,
Milwaukee’s 2000 census data records show it over 60% of it’s inhabitants were
Caucasian and 30% were African American in the 1990s. Towards the present day
the demographics are 45% Caucasian and 37% African American (City of Milwaukee,
2013). This goes to show, that perhaps this city might have engaged in more
biased or have discriminatory behaviors towards minorities that carried over
into their hiring practices. The last piece of evidence opponents cite in the
discrimination debate, is research reported and cited by the United States Equal
Employment Opportunity Commission, showing African American men get
incarcerated at seven times the rate of Caucasian men. The EEOC is a very
credible source because they are a branch of the federal government committed
to boosting employment of protected groups (Bovard, 2013). The EEOC’s funding
comes from the federal government which conducts research on social issues.
Their research has also been more current, releasing their findings in 2012.
Their evidence found from their studies support the claim they are making that
some discrimination is taking place, therefore their argument is warranted. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="BodyB" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> Opponents next claim is that
employment is the single-most important factor in predicting recidivism rates
(Lockwood, Nally, Knutson, and Ho, 2012). They used evidence from Lockwood, Nally, Knuston, Ho and Freeman.
Lockwood, Nally, Knutson and Ho’s study was important in showing felons finding
employment made them successful at reentry. Their study was published in The Peer
Reviewed Journal of the American Correctional Association in Spring 2012.
Therefore, their research is current which strengthen their arguments. Susan
Lockwood, John Nally, Katie Knutson, and Taiping Ho all work in the Education
Division of the Indiana Department of Corrections, making them very credible
and reliable sources of information. Their
research study used in the proponents arguments was a longitudinal study
that followed a little more than 6,560 offenders upon release from five
counties in Indiana that lasted five years (from 2005-2010). Their research has
a very large data sample, includes a relatively large geographic area, follows
their subjects for five years with recent publications on their results all
contribute to a very sufficient argument. Richard Freeman’s journal article was
published in 2003. Although this makes the article a little outdated, his
credibility makes up for it. His article was a The Urban Institute Reentry
Roundtable Discussion Paper. Richard Freeman works for Harvard University and
the National Bureau of Economic Research, ultimately publishing his article in
the New York University Law School Journal. Although opponents believe and have
researched to some extent that having a job significantly reduces recidivism, I
have concluded there needs to be more research done on this matter. There are
many other factors needing to be considered when determining if it is the job
that makes an ex-felon successful and not likely to recidivate. Such factors
include: addictions, mental illness, education levels, skill sets, a supportive
family to return to, or even the essentials of clothing, shelter,
transportation, identification, and money. Research should further examine just
how these factors combined play a role in their gaining of employment. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="BodyB" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> The last argument opponents make
regarding the legitimacy of using criminal records in hiring decisions is
somewhat weak because there is a lot of heresy and lack of statistical evidence
or hard data that prove their arguments because it is mainly based off of
beliefs and emotions. However, these arguments don’t necessarily need hard
evidence to support their claims. They
use an example of one man who had an arrest charge that later caused
problems for him when he was applying for a wall street job. Examples like
these occur often, but I haven’t found any data showing how frequently this
actually occurs. Therefore, we don’t know just how problematic it is. Ken
Springer, although credible because he is an investigator and president of
Corporate Resolutions, Inc, a background screening company, is not enough to
prove this argument. The same goes for Bill Kesser. He is also credible because
he is the assistant director of Human Resources in Boston, but it is not
enough. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="BodyB" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="BodyB" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Critical Analysis of Proponents
Arguments<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="BodyB" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> Proponents of abolishing the EEOC
Guidelines, don’t use evidence against the discrimination argument made by
opponents and instead use reasoning. They appeal to the use of U.S. traditions
by having constitutional bodies of law to cite whether or not they are legally
responsible for discrimination. They refer to the Civil Rights Act that plainly
states who are the protected populations against discrimination, and since
felons are not included, they can’t be legally responsible for refusing to hire
someone with a record. This argument is certainly logical and valid because it
is written in the U.S. Constitution. I see this as an appeal to authority. Both
sides of a controversy can point to a body of law to support their argument,
which is exactly the problem. Laws are written to be broad and can be very
subjective in the eye of the interpreter. Bodies of law can often be tweaked to
support any claim someone wants backed-up. This is certainly true regarding the
Constitution and the Bill of Rights. Whether they have a moral obligation to
give ex-felons second chances is a different story. They do acknowledge
incarceration rates are highest among minorities but claim that is because they
commit more crimes. Lastly, the Multi-city Study of Urban Inequality study that
tries to support the claim that if employers who performed background checks on
African Americans are more likely to hire them, was published in the University
of Chicago’s Journal of Law and Economics in 2006. It was funded by the Russell
Sage Foundation. However, this may seem credible, I wasn’t able to further
investigate their methods due to the paid accounts these results were published
on. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="BodyB" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> Opponents next argument against
recidivism seems to have logic. A lot of the data in this argument came from
the same source. Hans A. von Spakovsky, is a writer for the Heritage
Foundation, which is a conservative think-tank. He wrote many articles for
them, of which are biased and has limited amounts of hard evidence proving
their points. One piece of evidence he uses is a story about a biology
professor killing and injuring six people because she was not screened
properly. He blames the EEOC for this incident, saying even if a criminal
background screening showed her propensity for violence, it still wouldn’t be
enough for the University to refuse to hire her. This is a weak argument and is
a hasty generalization. This occurs when a conclusion is drawn from a
relatively small sample and generalized to the rest of the population (St.
Edward’s University, 2013) . In other words, by using this example of harm
coming from not screening an applicant for a criminal record, does not mean
this will happen every time or all the time. As previously mentioned, this
topic should be further researched. Although these stories are often compelling
to read, they are anecdotal pieces of evidence making the argument
significantly weaker. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="BodyB" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> Regarding the rest of the argument
on recidivism and the third argument debating whether or not viewing criminal
records is a legitimate means to conduct a hiring decision. The proponents have
strong claims and strong belief systems that are logically valid. However, yet
again, all they are are strong beliefs. The third argument also is a hasty
generalization when they used a story about a stolen motel key contributing to
the death and lawsuit of a motel in Indiana to prove their point that hiring an
ex-felon causes too much liability for companies. The same biased article,
written by von Spakovsky was also used, further contributing to a weak
argument. They do make excellent points about them being the only one who knows
who is the best fit for a position at their company, and protecting their
company from harm. But we need to make sure that the screening and hiring
processes companies are used with integrity and are legitimate. Unfortunately,
based off of evidence presented which supports the opponents have stronger
arguments, but proponents do have strong claims.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="BodyB" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="BodyB" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Moral Analysis of Opponent and
Proponents’ Arguments<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="BodyB" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Obligations<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="BodyB" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> Opponents primary obligations is towards
ex-felons seeking jobs. They believe by helping ex-felons, it could affect the
population overall thereby having a profound effect on themselves as
individuals, their children, families, and communities. But their primary
objective is to help ex-felons get back on their feet in order to decrease
recidivism rates. Opponents believe the nature of the obligation should be to
give others a second chance and this should come from the government. It is
their job to develop a system that helps the underrepresented populations get
back on their feet and have a fair chance at finding a job. Academics also have
an obligation to continue their research and to publicize the hardships felons
face upon reentry. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="BodyB" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> On the other hand, proponents
primary obligations is towards their employees and to their customers. The
nature of their obligation is to help ensure the safety of a space they can
control. They believe they have a duty to protect their business, family, and
customers from harm. Many employers don’t believe it is their obligation to
right the wrongs of society. It is only their obligation or duty to make the
best and most well-informed decisions they can make regarding what they are a
part of. Oftentimes their obligations will conflict when they feel like they
have both a duty to give someone a chance at being a good worker versus
protecting their work environment. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="BodyB" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="BodyB" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Values <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="BodyA" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> The opponents like prisoner’s rights
groups and the EEOC’s main focus seem to be around creating equal opportunities
for all, eliminating structural and institutional discrimination, in addition
to concerning themselves with civil rights, and having a huge emphasis on
second chances. Their main value is equality but they also value compassion,
tolerance, health, and open-mindedness. Opponents are working towards giving
felons a fair chance at getting a job in a fair way via ban the box
legislation. By not having to check the box (regarding whether you have ever
been convicted of a felony) ex-felons who are trying to find a job, have a fair
chance at making it through all the way to the interview process instead of
being immediately turned away before their application is viewed. They are also
concerned with improving the lives of felons, their families, their
communities, and society at large. They are asking tolerance of employers who
are close-minded about hiring an ex-felon to not only promote society’s health
but also to provide equal opportunities to the basic essentials of survival in
the civilian world. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="BodyA" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> Proponents of abolishing the EEOC
Guidelines such as business owners and background screening companies values
are primarily concerned around freedom of business practices and decisions,
privacy, self-reliance/independence, and safety. Many private business owners
don’t want the federal government telling them who they can and can not hire,
or who is best for the position they have open. Business owners value making
their own private decisions regarding what they think is best for them, their
employees, and their growth as a business. They are always going to be
concerned with the safety of their business and their employees because any
harm could be a serious deficit. As a result, I would say the core value of
opponents would be security; security regarding the safety of their employees
and the security of knowing their business is a healthy environment. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div align="center" class="BodyB" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Consequences<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="BodyA" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Opponents seek to obtain felons
given equal opportunities and more opportunities regarding finding a job. Ban
the box legislation envisions employers actually interviewing felons for a job
which they are qualified for and have a chance of getting the job. They also
hope to see felons go further in the interview process and have the chance to
discuss and defend their record. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="BodyA" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Opponents
want to avoid no one giving felons a second chance, or no one hiring a felon
because that can be very bad for felons, their families, their communities, and
society at large. Opponents also don’t want to see felons getting immediate
refusals on job applications because they checked the box. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="BodyA" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> Proponents seek to obtain the
capability of being able the make independent decisions on what they think is
best for their companies. They also seek to obtain a healthy environment for
their staff, for themselves, and their business that is free of harm.
Proponents want to avoid being told they should hire ex-felons when they don’t
know if they are telling the truth or if they can trust them. The certainly
want to avoid being pressured into hiring someone they don’t want to hire and
not feeling confident that they are the best person for the job. They also want
to avoid lawsuits from felons and the EEOC claiming racial discrimination or
lawsuits regarding negligent hiring practices. And the number one thing they
want to avoid is something bad happening to themselves, their employees, or
their business after they took the risk of hiring a felon.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div align="center" class="BodyB" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Normative Principles<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="BodyA" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> Opponents main normative principle
is the respect of persons. This basically means humans have a duty to honor
others, their rights, and their responsibilities. Perhaps felons deserve the
right to a fair hiring process for a job. Proponents main normative principle
is the principle of least harm. This states that if we must choose between two
evils, we should choose the one that does the least amount of harm. Refusing to
hire a felon could cause harm to either the felon or the staff already
employed. But if they have the decision of harming less people, they would have
to pick the felon. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="BodyC" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> The main normative ethical theory
that applies to opponents is the social contract theory (St. Edward’s
University, 2013). This principles emphasizes an individual’s moral obligations
rooted in contracts or agreements individuals make with each other when they
form societies. Following an individual’s best interests are the laws chosen to
guide and insure social order. Rational human beings will accept these rules on
the condition that other follow them as well. This is applicable and
representative of citizens who break the law. But really applies to the proponents
perspective is the principle of equality and the principle of paternalism. The
principle of equality states that every person is entitled to treatment as an
equal, “to be shown the respect and concern of which any moral being is worthy”
(St. Edward’s University, 2013). This is what opponents believe; that once they
have served their time and debt to society, they then deserve to be treated
with respect and equal opportunities. The principle of paternalism states that
a legitimate goal of public authority is minimizing needless human suffering
(St. Edward’s University, 2013). Opponents believe it is necessary and the
responsibility of the federal government, specifically the EEOC, to minimize
the suffering of ex-felons, their families, their communities, and society by
helping them find more employment opportunities. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="BodyC" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> Proponents main normative ethical
theory is Utilitarianism. This theory is based on the principle that the
standard of moral judgement is based from the greatest amount of good or the
most happiness that occurs from it. The central idea is that the wrong or
rightness of any actions is determined by the consequences of the action.
Proponents believe that by denied an ex-felon employment they are causing the
greatest amount of good for the most amount of people because they are putting
themselves and all of their employee’s needs above those of the single felon
applying for a position. This is in direct accordance with the principle rule
of utilitarianism. This states a rule is morally right if it produces the
greatest amount of good for the greatest number of people long term, ensuring
each individual act produces the greatest good (St. Edward’s University, 2013).
In order to ensure the security of their work environments and companies,
business owners would strive to ensure the greatest amount of good happens
forever. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="BodyC" style="line-height: 200%;">
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<div align="center" class="BodyC" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Final Position and Solution<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="BodyC" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> Something that brought me clarity
was conducting field research on my topic. I conducted six interviews: two with
previously incarcerated felons, two with representatives of Goodwill Industries
of Central Texas, and two interviews from the perspective of background
screening and hiring. The felons I interviewed had the combined crimes of
aggravated assault, aggravated sexual assault, murder, and engaging and
organizing criminal activity. The major takeaway points from these interviews
included just how important having a strong family system was to go back to
upon release, the importance of finding work within the prison and keeping
their skills sharp so they can quickly apply them once in the civilian world,
and perhaps the most important thing is the felon being fully ready to change
their life. Lt. Josh Wiener, who is Operations Manager and Sales at Top Gun
Security and Investigations of Austin, TX as well as David Leining Sr., founder
and owner of Santa Fe Archery in Santa Fe, TX, discussed the various types of
concerns they would have when considering hiring a previous felon. They would
be concerned of their trustworthiness, bringing the past with them or what
they’ve learned in prison. They might also be concerned about their demeanor
especially around families and children, what types of crimes were committed
and how long ago. Lt. Wiener recognizes there are some misconceptions about
felons such as “once a criminal, always a criminal” and a self-fulfilling
prophecy that felons sometimes fall into. Both Leining and Weiner did not
support the EEOC Guidelines, but were open to the idea of Ban the Box. Leining
understands that it is unlikely to find a uniform solution to this problem as
many people commit different types of crimes. Lastly, my interviewers from
Goodwill, Zubin Segal, the Communications Manager at Goodwill Industries of
Central Texas and Roberto Perez Jr., Master Mentor at Goodwill Peer Support in
Central Texas, emphasized the importance of spreading the word about the
services Goodwill has to offer felons including supplying them with wrap around
services. They emphasize a communal environment and the willingness to give
people a second chance to turn their life around because they most likely will.
They also believe once employers give ex-felons a chance at a job, they will
have some of the most dedicating and hard working employees because felons have
more to lose than the average person, especially since their job search is
significantly harder than average person’s. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="BodyC" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> As for my civic engagement I
attended a mandatory offender reentry course at the Texas Department of
Criminal Justice Federal Probation Office. I sat in on a class surrounded by
those recently released from federal prison. The purpose of the class was to
discuss the various services Goodwill and other local organizations had to
offer the felons aiding in their reentry. Many of the probationers came
prepared for class, engaged in the class by asking questions, participating in
simulations, joked with the other classmates, were friendly to one another, and
seemed driven to prevent this lifestyle from affecting their families,
especially their children. An overwhelming majority, (I would say about
90%) in the class had children and were
aware that their life choices as well as getting back into trouble can further
contribute to their children following in their footsteps. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="BodyC" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> For entire length of this research
paper, I haven’t changed my position. Although I am very respectful and fully
understanding of where employers are coming from regarding the use of criminal
records during the hiring process, I believe the EEOC Guidelines are a step in
the right direction and I don’t think they should be abolished by Congress. If
they are abolished, the struggle of felons finding a job would be increasingly
problematic than it already is. There is overwhelming amounts of evidence
proving that high incarceration rates have devastating effects in every aspect
of life within the United States ranging from the average taxpayer to a direct
family member to the individual themselves being incarcerated. There is also
irrefutable evidence that structural discrimination is taking place within the
criminal justice and the court system. It is extremely important that
politicians and the American public figure out some way to aid in felon
employment upon release or do more for them while they are in the system. All
of this combined has convinced me that some type of policy needs to be put in
place to help felons receive more employment opportunities. I think at this
point, the best solution and is a comprise for all parties, would be to pass
Ban the Box legislation nationwide. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="BodyC" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> Ban the Box legislation can get
employers and business owners more comfortable with the idea of reviewing an
applicant who had something on their criminal record. This could lead to them
seeing the applicant as a worker and judge them based off of their skill sets
in relationship to the job instead of their past mistakes. This could give
ex-felons a fighting chance to fairly compete for a job based off of who is the
best fit for the position. On the other hand, employers still have a chance to
fully address their concerns with the applicant and go over their inquiries
about their record. It is important for the felon to also discuss their record
with their potential employer so trust and rapport can be established as the
basis for a healthy working relationship if they were to be hired on. I think
if we were to give employers the opportunity to view criminal records or ask
questions regarding their records, there won’t be much opposition against the
bill. Ban the box seems like a feasible plan. The main issue with passing it
would be creating something uniform for the entire nation. That can be
problematic as various jurisdictions already have ban the box that is unique to
their city’s needs and the community’s wants. It wouldn’t necessarily cost too
much money to enforce. The money would go into creating and enforcing the
guidelines and creating information packets that can be distributed.
Unfortunately, I think legislation such as this will only become more popular
in years to come. Americans have yet to really care about prisoner’s rights.
Their stigmas and preconceived notions of what a criminal is really like
(thanks to mass media) will further impede a wave of prisoner’s rights
movements. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="BodyC" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> However, I definitely don’t think
everything will be solved by passing Ban the Box nationwide. I believe it is
also incredibly important for felons to have more resources given to them to
aid them in reentry, like what Goodwill of Central Texas is doing. They have
workshops, resume builders, reentry classes, academic conferences, certificate
training, GED classes, partnerships with counseling services, case workers, and
job fairs. I believe many more felons in the nation would be successful if they
had access to a program as successful as the Goodwill of Central Texas. One of
my felon interviewees brought up a great point. He thinks there should be some
type of recommendation system or contract work inside the prison that can help
the felons slowly transition into civilian life. The most important next step
is to spread awareness about this issue. Felons and their struggles are often
ignored by society because they group them all together and assume they are all
bad people. I believe a mistake doesn’t necessarily make you a bad person.
Besides there are many people in jail that did misdemeanor crimes, was in the
wrong place at the wrong time, did something accidental, or was wrongfully
accused. There is all too often the adolescent male who got mixed up with the
wrong people and it has cost him ten years or more in prison. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div align="center" class="BodyC" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">My Personal Moral Analysis<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="BodyC" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> What I value the most regarding this
topic is second chances, growth, and responsibility. I do believe it is every
human’s right to get a second chance at something; to right their wrong. Humans
are not perfect beings, and we have hundreds of thousands of years of some
pretty awful mistakes. But if no one was given a second chance, where would we
be in life? Second chances don’t have any meaning unless there is a growth
period in-between. Humans most often make their mistakes because they lack
growth and development. Although we grow in many different ways grow is a vital
part of life as it is ensures our survival as a race. The last value that is
deeply connected to second chances and growth is responsibility. I don’t think
people deserve second chances at things unless they have grown and taken
responsibility. It is extremely important for everyone in society to take
responsibility over our actions that have directly or indirected contributed to
this problem. Whether that is to take responsibility for our mistakes, take
responsibility to care for our families, our children, our communities, and our businesses, and a
responsibility to be honest with yourself about what you can do to help solve
one of our nation’s largest social issues. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="BodyC" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> I believe my obligations are to the
education and growth of my peers. The nature of my obligations are
understanding and informative in nature. I believe it is my duty to spread
knowledge to society about what I have learned. I believe I have a duty to try
to make this world a little more equal and fair. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="BodyC" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> The consequences I intend to come
out of this paper and from the solution is to inspire those around me to take
action. I want felons to want to prove that they are ready to change their life
and be fully committed to their job. I never want a felon to recidivate back
into crime, ruining his chances with his employer and further damaging his
social relationships. I also don’t want one felon’s fallout to be
representative of the rest. I hope employers don’t think every felon is like
the last one because they aren’t. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="BodyC" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> The main philosophy theory that
guided me in this issue is the John Rawl’s Principle of Distributive Justice.
This states that basic goods should be distributed so that society’s least
advantaged members benefit as much as possible (St. Edward’s University, 2013).
There is no debate that felons are the least advantaged members of society when
it comes to job searching. They’ve often been incarcerated for decades, loosing
all of the job skills and social skills they had and many walk out of prison
with absolutely nothing. In comparison, they have to compete for jobs against
people who have a clean record, business attire/work uniform, contact
information, a phone, a car, a family, education, job experiences, and recommendations.
As a result, the criminal justice system and the federal government has a
responsibility to figure out a way to help the millions of people that tango
with the criminal justice system every year. As Eddie Winslow, a Texas
Department of Criminal Justice Parole Officer puts it, “At the end of the day,
I just try to treat them like people”. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div align="center" class="BodyA" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Appendix A: Interview Questions<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div align="center" class="HeaderFooterA" style="tab-stops: right 467.0pt; text-align: center;">
<u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Tony
and Steven Gordon’s <o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Interview
Questions<o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
<div align="center" class="HeaderFooterA" style="tab-stops: right 467.0pt; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="FreeFormA">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">1. Name<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="FreeFormA">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">2. Type
of crime committed <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="FreeFormA">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">3. Age
and location at which the crime was committed<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="FreeFormA">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">4. What
happened?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="FreeFormA">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">5. What
were your charge(s)?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="FreeFormA">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">6. How
long did you spend in prison?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="FreeFormA">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">7. What
was prison like?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="FreeFormA">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">8. What
are some significant barriers you faced upon release?**<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="FreeFormA">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">9. What
was the hardest challenge you faced upon release?**<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="FreeFormA">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">10. Are
there any programs in prison that helped you re-enter society?**<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="FreeFormA">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">11. And
if not, what type of program do you think that would've been in place
would have helped you? and in what way? How would it have helped, etc.?*<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">12. Do
you think all ex-felons deserve second-chances?**<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="FreeFormA">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">13. Do
you think businesses should be capable of turning away ex-felons if they've had
a criminal record?*<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="FreeFormA">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">14.
What do you think predicts recidivism in ex-felons? (or in other
words..... what are some reasons for why ex-felons get back into crime
after they've been released from prison?) **<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">15. What
do you think can be done about high incarceration rates and recidivism? *<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">16. In
your opinion, what are some possible solutions to the criminal justice system?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div align="center" class="HeaderFooterA" style="tab-stops: right 467.0pt; text-align: center;">
<u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Expert
Interview with Zubin Segal <o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
<div align="center" class="HeaderFooterA" style="tab-stops: right 467.0pt; text-align: center;">
<u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Communications
Manager at Goodwill of Central Texas<o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
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<div class="BodyA" style="margin-left: 13.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 13.0pt; text-indent: -13.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">1.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">What types of programs that
Goodwill offers to help ex-felons?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">2.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">What are some reasons that
Goodwill hires ex-felons? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">3.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">In what ways has Goodwill
benefited from hiring ex-felons? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="BodyA" style="margin-left: 13.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 13.0pt; text-indent: -13.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">4.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Do you support the EEOC
Guidelines regarding hiring decisions of those with criminal records? and do
you also support Ban the Box legislation that was passed here in Austin?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">5.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Do you have any concerns when
hiring ex-felons?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="BodyA" style="margin-left: 13.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 13.0pt; text-indent: -13.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">6.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Do you think felons face any
particular challenges in the workplace?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="BodyA" style="margin-left: 13.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 13.0pt; text-indent: -13.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">7.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">How would other businesses and
business owners benefit from hiring felons?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="BodyA" style="margin-left: 13.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 13.0pt; text-indent: -13.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">8.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">What do you think is a solution
to helping those recently released become successful in finding employment?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="HeaderFooterA" style="tab-stops: right 467.0pt; text-align: center;">
<u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Expert
Interview with Roberto Perez Jr. <o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Master
Mentor of Goodwill Peer Support</span></u><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
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<div class="BodyA" style="margin-left: 12.0pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list 12.0pt; text-indent: -12.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">1.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Briefly state your role with
Goodwill. What exactly do you do?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">2.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Do you believe Goodwill’s
programs are successful in helping ex-felons find employment? Which programs
are the most successful and how/why? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="BodyA" style="margin-left: 12.0pt; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: list 12.0pt; text-indent: -12.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">3.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Since you are a mentor in
Goodwill Peer Support, you are often working with felons on a daily basis. What
seems to be the main challenges they face upon reentry?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="BodyA" style="margin-left: 12.0pt; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: list 12.0pt; text-indent: -12.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">4.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">What are some misconceptions
business owners, hiring professionals, or people in general have regarding
felon reentry and employment? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="BodyA" style="margin-left: 12.0pt; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: list 12.0pt; text-indent: -12.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">5.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">In what ways would businesses and
business owners benefit from hiring ex-felons? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="BodyA" style="margin-left: 12.0pt; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: list 12.0pt; text-indent: -12.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">6.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Do you agree with the EEOC
Guidelines released in April 2012 and the Ban the Box legislation passed in
Austin? Do you believe this is a successful solution? If not, what is a
successful solution to helping those recently released find employment (and
housing)?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="BodyA" style="margin-left: 12.0pt; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: list 12.0pt; text-indent: -12.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">7.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">What do you think are some
reasons why released felons recidivate back to crime?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="BodyA" style="margin-left: 12.0pt; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: list 12.0pt; text-indent: -12.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">8.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">If you could educate the public
to help them understand felon reentry, what are some main points you would
cover and why?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Expert
Interview with Lt. Josh Wiener <o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Operations
Manager/Sales at Top Gun Security and Investigation Services of Austin, TX<o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
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<div class="BodyA" style="margin-left: 12.0pt; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo4; tab-stops: list 12.0pt; text-indent: -12.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">1.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Explain the process of businesses
hiring Top Gun to perform criminal background searches.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="BodyA" style="margin-left: 30.0pt; mso-list: l4 level2 lfo5; tab-stops: list 30.0pt; text-indent: -12.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">a.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">What is that process like? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">b.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">What are some common things you
find?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="BodyA" style="margin-left: 12.0pt; mso-list: l5 level1 lfo6; tab-stops: list 12.0pt; text-indent: -12.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">2.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">How do you feel about businesses
hiring ex-felons?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="BodyA" style="margin-left: 12.0pt; mso-list: l5 level1 lfo6; tab-stops: list 12.0pt; text-indent: -12.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">3.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">What are some main concerns
businesses have regarding the hiring of felons?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="BodyA" style="margin-left: 12.0pt; mso-list: l5 level1 lfo6; tab-stops: list 12.0pt; text-indent: -12.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">4.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">What are some types of risk
assessments or assessments in general employers conduct when considering
someone with a criminal record?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="BodyA" style="margin-left: 12.0pt; mso-list: l5 level1 lfo6; tab-stops: list 12.0pt; text-indent: -12.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">5.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Do you support the EEOC
Guidelines that were released in April 2012? Do you also support the Ban the
Box legislation that passed in Austin?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="BodyA" style="margin-left: 12.0pt; mso-list: l5 level1 lfo6; tab-stops: list 12.0pt; text-indent: -12.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">6.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">What are your thoughts on the
argument that the EEOC Guidelines actually make it harder for a person of color
to get hired if they aren’t screened for employment?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="BodyA" style="margin-left: 12.0pt; mso-list: l5 level1 lfo6; tab-stops: list 12.0pt; text-indent: -12.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">7.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">What do you think is a solution
to helping ex-felons become successful in finding employment?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Expert
Interview with David Leining Sr.<o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Founder
and Business Owner of Santa Fe Archery<o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">1.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Briefly explain what your
business is and your role in that business.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="BodyA" style="margin-left: 12.0pt; mso-list: l6 level1 lfo7; tab-stops: list 12.0pt; text-indent: -12.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">2.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">What is the process like of
hiring individuals at your place of business?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="BodyA" style="margin-left: 12.0pt; mso-list: l6 level1 lfo7; tab-stops: list 12.0pt; text-indent: -12.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">3.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">What specific factors do you
consider during the hiring process? Are there certain types of risk assessments
you perform when considering hiring someone? Are those factors different when
considering someone with a criminal record?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="BodyA" style="margin-left: 12.0pt; mso-list: l6 level1 lfo7; tab-stops: list 12.0pt; text-indent: -12.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">4.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">What are some misconceptions
people normally have regarding the hiring process?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="BodyA" style="margin-left: 12.0pt; mso-list: l6 level1 lfo7; tab-stops: list 12.0pt; text-indent: -12.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">5.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Have you ever had anyone apply to
your place of business that had a criminal record? if so, what did you do?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">6.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Do you support the EEOC
Guidelines that were released in April of 2012? Do you support the idea of Ban
the Box legislation that is present here in Austin? Why or why not?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="BodyA" style="margin-left: 12.0pt; mso-list: l6 level1 lfo7; tab-stops: list 12.0pt; text-indent: -12.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">7.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">What do you think is an
appropriate tentative solution that can help ex-felons become more successful
in finding employment?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Appendix B: Proof of Civic Engagement <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Attended a mandatory offender reentry course from
10-12pm on Friday, July 26, 2013 at<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Texas Department Criminal Justice Federal Probation
Office<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">1616 Headway Circle, Austin, TX 78754<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Was with Goodwill’s Master Mentor Roberto Perez, Jr.
OWDS<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Goodwill Peer Support<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">2001 Rosewood Bldg. B 2001<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Austin, Texas 78702<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #04006b; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">512-748-0767</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> (C)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Purpose of this offender reentry class: mandatory
for all of those on federal parole, unless they have found employment. Class
topics include helping them with reentry, specifically having various groups in
Austin come to speak to them about the services they provide to help them find
employment. The organizations that spoke today included: Project Fresh Start,
Goodwill, and Travis County Criminal Justice Planning. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Project Fresh Start provides counseling for the
newly released regarding substance abuse. They expressed that PFS provided a
safe environment to release any stress related to: the court, finding a job,
partner stress (“baby-mama-drama”), finding a car, and finding housing, etc. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Offenders work with a case worker to help ex-felons
one-on-one find a job. Items that go in their portfolio with their case worker
include: resume, any/all certificates, and a letter of explanation. A letter of
explanation is given to the employer that discusses what they did to get into
prison, what they did while they were in prison, where they want to work, and
their goals for employment. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Case workers such as Roberto Perez from Goodwill and
Sandra Treviño from TCCJP, often go to worksites where they have sent felons
for employment and monitor the environment. They want to make sure employers
aren’t taking advantage of the felons by making them do things that aren’t in
their job description. They also check in with both the employer and the
employee to see how things are going and to make sure both the employer’s and
the employee’s needs are met. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Oftentimes employers misinterpret the criminal
background screening [because of police jargon]. An employer can look at a
criminal background check that was sent to them by a screening company and see
on someone’s record that they were convicted of “released bodily fluids on a
federal/state police officer”. An employer would automatically think the worst,
when really the felon only spit on them. It’s important that employers don’t
misinterpret records and the case worker (as well as the letter of explanation)
can help clear that up.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Some businesses do support the hiring of ex-felons,
but that information is kept confidential with the case-workers because they
don’t want people to not want to be involved or hired in their business.
Oftentimes these companies also are given financial incentives for hiring
ex-felons. Most often these occurs as tax credits up to $2,400 and they also
get incentives such as more monitoring of the case worker over the felon. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">At the end of the day, “I just try to treat them
like people”. -- parole officer<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">I ask them, do you know someone with a criminal
record? Everyone usually does. It easily could have been anyone else that got
caught. They are accepting responsibility for their actions and are wanting to
move on. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman Bold","serif";">Walked in</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">:
intimidated.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman Bold","serif";">Walked out</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">:
thinking these were good people. They were funny and caring. I noticed in class
that they don’t want their children to follow in their footsteps, and they want
to be there for their children. They don’t want them to grow up without a
father. Many of them seemed happy, and ready to find employment, make money,
and start a new life. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Eddie Winslow<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">TDCJ Parole Officer <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><a href="mailto:Eddie.Winslow@tdcj.state.tx.us"><span style="color: #02008a;">Eddie.Winslow@tdcj.state.tx.us</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #04006b; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">512-908-9390</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Appendix C: Slides from Oral Presentations<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">References<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Bovard, J.
(2013). Making the workplace friendly for felons; U.S. demands ‘no questions<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> asked’ of job applications. The
Washington Times. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman Italic","serif";">Opposing
Viewpoints in <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman Italic","serif";"> Context.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Bureau of
Justice Statistics (BJS): Recidivism (2013). Office of Justice Programs: Bureau
of Justice Statistics. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Carco
Group, Inc. 5000 Corporate Court, Suite 203, Holtsville, NY 11742;
1-800-969-2272; </span><a href="http://www.carcogroup.com/"><span style="color: #070047; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">www.carcogroup.com</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">.
(Con Stakeholder).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">City of
Milwaukee. (2013). 2000 Census Summary: City of Milwaukee general population
data.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> Department of City Development. 1990
and 2000 Census Files. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Clear, T. R.
and Tonry, M. Ed. (2008). The effects of high imprisonment rates on <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> communities. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman Italic","serif";">The University of Chicago:
Crime and Justice.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Don, E. L.
(2013). Background checks: when and how to use them. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman Italic","serif";">CPA Practice <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman Italic","serif";"> Management Forum, 9(6),</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> 17-20. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="BodyA">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Freeman, R.
(2003). Can we close the revolving door?: recidivism vs. employment of<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="BodyA">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> ex-offenders in the U.S. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman Italic","serif";">Can We Close the Revolving
Door?: Recidivism vs.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="BodyA">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman Italic","serif";"> Employment of Ex-Offenders in the
U.S., 19</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="BodyA">
<br /></div>
<div class="BodyA">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Ford, M.
(2009). </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman Italic","serif";">Jobs
for felons: how to find employment if you have a criminal record.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="BodyA">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> Camarillo, CA: Elite Minds, Inc. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="BodyA">
<br /></div>
<div class="BodyA">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Formerly
Convicted Citizens Project (2013). “Ban the Box”. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman Italic","serif";">Formerly Convicted
Citizens Project. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="BodyA">
<br /></div>
<div class="BodyA">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Henry, J. S.
(2008). Criminal history on a “need to know” basis: employment policies that<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="BodyA">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> eliminate the criminal history box
on employment applications. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman Italic","serif";">Justice
Policy<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="BodyA">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman Italic","serif";"> Journal, 5(2)</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="BodyAA">
<br /></div>
<div class="BodyAA">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">The Heritage
Foundation. 214 Massachusetts Ave. NE, Washington, DC, 20002; (202)-546-4400; </span><a href="http://www.heritage.org/"><span style="color: #070047; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">www.heritage.org</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">.
(Con Stakeholder).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="BodyA">
<br /></div>
<div class="BodyB">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Kappeler, V.
E. & Potter, G. W. (2005). </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman Italic","serif";">The
mythology of crime and criminal justice: fourth <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="BodyB">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman Italic","serif";"> edition</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">. Long Grove, IL: Waveland Press,
Inc.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="BodyB">
<br /></div>
<div class="BodyA">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Katel, P.
(2012). Criminal Records and employment. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman Italic","serif";">CQ
Researcher, 22</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">,
349-376. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="BodyA">
<br /></div>
<div class="BodyA">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Lessack, S.
K. (2013). Considering arrest and conviction records in employment<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="BodyA">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> decisions. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman Italic","serif";">Employee Benefit Plan
Review, 67(7)</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">, 5. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="BodyA">
<br /></div>
<div class="BodyA">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Lockwood,
S., Nally, J., Knutson, K., & Ho, T. (2012). A comprehensive study on post-<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="BodyA">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> release employment among offenders
in Indiana. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman Italic","serif";">Corrections
Compendium, 37<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="BodyA">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman Italic","serif";"> (1)</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">, 1-7. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="BodyA">
<br /></div>
<div class="BodyAA">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">National
Association of Professional Background Screeners. 1901 N. Roselle Road, Suite 920, Schaumburg, IL 60195;
888-686-2727; </span><a href="http://www.napbs.com/"><span style="color: #070047; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">www.napbs.com</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">. (Con Stakeholder).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="BodyA">
<br /></div>
<div class="BodyAA">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">National
H.I.R.E. Network. 225 Varick St., New York, NY 10014; 212-243-1313; </span><a href="http://www.hirenetwork.org/"><span style="color: #070047; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">www.hirenetwork.org</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">.
(Proponent Stakeholder).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="BodyA">
<br /></div>
<div class="BodyAA">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">National
Employment Law Project. 75 Maiden Ln, Suite 601, New York, NY 10038; 212-285-3025; </span><a href="http://www.nelp.org/"><span style="color: #070047; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">www.nelp.org</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">.
(Proponent Stakeholder).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="BodyA">
<br /></div>
<div class="BodyA">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Nixon, W.
B., & Kerr, K. M. (2008). </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman Italic","serif";">Background
screening and investigations: managing<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="BodyA">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman Italic","serif";"> hiring risk from the HR and security
perspectives</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">.
Burlington, MA: Elsevier, Inc. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="BodyA">
<br /></div>
<div class="BodyA">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Roberts, B.
(2004). Close up on screening: Use of criminal records and credit histories in <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="BodyA">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> hiring decisions is coming squarely
under the legislative and policy-making microscope.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="BodyA">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman Italic","serif";">Society for Human Resource Management:
shrm.org.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="BodyA">
<br /></div>
<div class="BodyA">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Rodriguez,
M. N. & Emsellem, M. (2013). Ban the box: major U.S. cities and counties
adopt fair <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="BodyA">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> hiring policies to remove unfair
barriers to employment of people with criminal records.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="BodyA">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman Italic","serif";">National Employment Law Project</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="BodyA">
<br /></div>
<div class="BodyA">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Ross, J.I.
and Richards, S.C. (2009). </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman Italic","serif";">Beyond
bars: rejoining society after prison.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">
New<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="BodyA">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> York. The Penguin Group, Inc. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="BodyA">
<br /></div>
<div class="BodyA">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Sampson,
Robert J. and John H. Laub. (1993). </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman Italic","serif";">Crime
in the Making: Pathways and Turning <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="BodyA">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman Italic","serif";"> Points Through Life</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">. Cambridge, MA: Harvard
University Press. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="BodyA">
<br /></div>
<div class="BodyA">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Simmons, D.
(2010). Former felons feel boxed in by crime question. The Washington<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="BodyA">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> Times. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman Italic","serif";">Opposing Viewpoints in
Context. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="BodyA">
<br /></div>
<div class="BodyA">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">St. Edward’s
University. (2013). </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman Italic","serif";">The
Capstone Handbook: Second Edition.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">
Austin:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="BodyA">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> OneTouchPoing-Ginny’s Printing. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="BodyA">
<br /></div>
<div class="BodyA">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Stephan,
J.J. (2004). State prison expenditures, 2001. U.S. Department of Justice:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="BodyA">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> Office of Justice Programs. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="BodyA">
<br /></div>
<div class="BodyA">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Thompson,
A.C. (2008). </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman Italic","serif";">Releasing
prisoners, redeeming communities: reentry, race, and politics</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">.
New York and London: New York University Press. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="BodyA">
<br /></div>
<div class="BodyA">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Thompson, H.
(2010). Why mass incarceration matters: rethinking crisis, decline, and<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="BodyA">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> transformation in postwar american
history. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman Italic","serif";">Journal
of American History, 97(3),<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="BodyA">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman Italic","serif";"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">703-734.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="BodyA">
<br /></div>
<div class="BodyA">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Tonry, M.
(1999). Why are U.S. incarceration rates so high? </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman Italic","serif";">Crime and Delinquency,
45(4), </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">419.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="BodyA">
<br /></div>
<div class="BodyAA">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">United
States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. 131 M St., N.E., Washington, DC 20507; 202-663-4900; </span><a href="http://www.eeoc.gov/"><span style="color: #070047; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">www.eeoc.gov</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">.
(Proponent Stakeholder). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="BodyA">
<br /></div>
<div class="BodyA">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">United
States Equal Employment Opportunities Commission (1987). Conviction records:
Policy<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="BodyA">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> state on the issue of conviction
records under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="BodyA">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman Italic","serif";">The United States Equal Employment
Opportunities Commission</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="BodyA">
<br /></div>
<div class="BodyA">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">von
Spakovsky, H. A. (2012). EEOC’s protection of felons could hurt minority
hiring. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="BodyA">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman Italic","serif";">The Heritage Foundation.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="BodyA">
<br /></div>
<div class="BodyA">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">von
Spakovsky, H. A. (2012). The dangerous impact of barring criminal background<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="BodyA">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> checks: Congress needs to overrule
the EEOC’s new employment <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="BodyA">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> guidelines. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman Italic","serif";">The Heritage Foundation.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="BodyA">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="BodyA">
<br /></div>
Steve Gordonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14046161941567443439noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3945224470160668602.post-62737933980335025992013-07-18T22:41:00.001-04:002013-07-18T22:41:10.726-04:00BarriersBy Steve Gordon<br />
<br />
Recently I got an email from a student at a college in Texas who was writing a paper on barriers faced by ex-felons.<br />
<br />
Communicating via email we were going to do a recorded phone interview and she sent me 16 questions but the timing didn't work out for her availability to phone me and when I would have adequate time to respond.<br />
<br />
As such, I answered her questions via email. In doing so I probably provided her with more information than she bargained for. She came back with two follow up questions.<br />
<br />
She found me as a result of a newspaper article that was in the Philadelphia Inquirer about two years ago concerning the then proposed law (that passed) on banning the question of having a felony conviction.<br />
<br />
As there were 16 questions and some of my answers were lengthy, and some included sensitive material, I won't publish them here. Also, personally, things have been a little hectic recently with some home improvements going on, a trip to Gettysburg for the 150th anniversary of the battle (that ultimately proved to be the turning point that saved our nations unity), and just life in general.<br />
<br />
Let's let "Jane" write her paper and see what she comes up with. She promised to send me a copy and I can hope she hits all the right points and that I helped contribute to her getting an 'A' on it.<br />
<br />
Stay tuned.Steve Gordonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14046161941567443439noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3945224470160668602.post-1909483014489359472013-05-17T15:12:00.001-04:002013-05-17T15:12:11.959-04:00Ex-offender Job Fair in PhiladelphiaBy Steve Gordon<br />
<br />
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.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://abclocal.go.com/wpvi/story?section=news/local&id=9105996">http://abclocal.go.com/wpvi/story?section=news/local&id=9105996</a>Steve Gordonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14046161941567443439noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3945224470160668602.post-72390369735705074552013-05-02T17:06:00.002-04:002013-05-02T17:06:46.942-04:00RE: Don't Give UPBy Steve Gordon<br />
<br />
Just briefly I want to report that ARAMARK hired someone else for the position I applied for in the Phila. prison system.<br />
<br />
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.<br />
<br />
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.<br />
<br />
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.<br />
<br />
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.Steve Gordonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14046161941567443439noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3945224470160668602.post-15432594865781895582013-03-12T16:30:00.005-04:002013-03-12T16:44:12.491-04:00Don't give upBy Steve Gordon<br />
<br />
A job interview is a start for reentry on the way back to a meaningful and productive life after prison. As I have posted previously, they don't always pan out. Actually the percentages are not good and there will be many interviews before landing employment.<br />
<br />
It took me a year just to get an entry level part time job in a fast food restaurant. The owner/operator of the Chick-fil-A that hired me just wanted to know if my history would be a problem in the work place. I told him it would not and he gave me a job. I have been there almost two years and have proved myself worthy.<br />
<br />
Today I had a phone interview/screening for a full time job with ARAMARK. Get this, the job is a Food Service Manager in the Philadelphia prison system. I touched on my "history" in the phone interview and nothing was said. I think it went well as I was able to lay out the places I have worked and the things I did without the confinement of an on paper application. It is also encouraging to actually get to speak to someone, so I passed the first stage. I lasted about 25 minutes.<br />
<br />
The next step is an on site walk through and interview with the Food Service Director at the facility. Barring my being disqualified because of having spent time in prison, I am certain I can make a good impression on this account and actually feel my past can play as an advantage.<br />
<br />
Going from prison to an $8.00 an hour part time job, then get a raise after a year to $8.50 to potentially a full time job paying in the 38,000 range is a pretty big deal. If I can make this happen it means that I have come from nothing to being back in the work force and accepted for who I am and not for something that was a huge negative in my life.<br />
<br />
There is another plus if this works out. This can only be a positive towards my application for a Pardon in Pennsylvania.<br />
<br />
I will keep you posted. There is no definite time frame so it may be a week or so before I hear anything else. Give me that walk through, I will sell myself and get this job.Steve Gordonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14046161941567443439noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3945224470160668602.post-67665288991506543012012-12-30T23:22:00.000-05:002012-12-30T23:22:15.062-05:00Who are you?
By Steve Gordon<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I watched one of my favorite movies tonight in “Bridges of
Madison County.” I found it searching on TV and even better was it was without
commercials and I caught it right from the beginning. After it was over I felt I had to write something because of how this movie makes me feel.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">My first wife in our very short marriage (where I was mostly
away at sea on the submarine in the Navy) used to call me stone face. My second
wife said she didn’t feel loved or appreciated in 23 years before we split up.
My VA therapist and I talk about my emotional detachment.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">In general I am not openly emotional about anything and I am
not a touchy feely person. Walking or sitting and holding hands with my wife or
just a hug made me feel uncomfortable. It is like taking things for granted,
taking love for granted I guess.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Foreigner has a song “I Want to Know What Love Is” that intrigues
me. “I want you to show me,” the lyrics continue. It makes me wonder if I ever
knew or know what love is. So how is it I turn into a wet noodle with movies
like Bridges, or “Somewhere In Time” and some others where privately watching
them the emotions come to the surface?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">While taking a shower when not concentrating on getting
ready for work I sometimes find myself doing some soul searching and thinking.
My therapist once asked if I was dating and I told him I was not. I think I
would like to and to have someone intimate in my life, but on the other hand
not so much.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">To get involved in a relationship means commitment to
another person. There are a bunch of factors involved. For starters it takes
away the independence I now enjoy to do what I want on my own time table. But I
like structure and in those 23 years of marriage I made it work balancing home
and family responsibilities with my own personal interests.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I have a friend I go out with to movies and we talk but that’s
all there is to it. I think she pretty much likes it this way but we have never
talked about it. Bottom line is that this is all it will ever be and that is
fine. But in the shower I think about what kind of person I could see myself
with and here is the problem. I can’t see myself with anyone other than my
second wife and that is never going to happen.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It makes me wonder about the detachment of my emotions and
if it actually builds upon itself over time. My therapist has said it is
something in the way some people are wired, not necessarily a learned thing and
it is something we have to learn to recognize and deal with.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Privately I have cried openly about things in my life and
some movies also get an emotional release. I find that I can let go of things
easier than many people and it appears to people outwardly it is like they mean
nothing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">And at this point I am lost and don’t know where to take
this…I guess the question is “Who Am I?” and I guess I don’t have the answer.
It is a work in progress.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do you know
who you are?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Steve Gordonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14046161941567443439noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3945224470160668602.post-14144263441576078532012-12-26T00:02:00.002-05:002012-12-26T00:07:41.094-05:00BlockedBy Steve Gordon<br />
<br />
If you read the post about the new ML registration you will remember I mentioned a newspaper article by Laurie Mason Schroeder of the Bucks County Courier Times. It appears open mindedness to hear all sides of issues...ah...well she has seemingly blocked my email address from contacting her. This is what came back when I tried to send her an email tonight.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Cambria;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> "</span>This is an
automatically generated Delivery Status Notification.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Cambria;">Delivery to the following recipients was aborted after 0
second(s):<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Cambria;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>* </span></span><a href="mailto:lmason@phillyburbs.com"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Cambria; font-size: large;">lmason@phillyburbs.com</span></a>"<o:p></o:p></div>
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All I was trying to do was send her a copy of an email I sent to friends which read:<br />
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<b><i><span style="color: #c0504d; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt;">Dear Friends,<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="color: #c0504d; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="color: #c0504d; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt;">Because of new stricter laws regarding my required ML
registration with the PA State Police from my offense, all “internet
identifiers (such as email address(es))” now have to be on record. It is
ambiguous but I expect when I check in next this will include social media such
as my FB identity. As such any communications I have with anyone are
potentially not private. <o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="color: #c0504d; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="color: #c0504d; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt;">While there has not been any behavior on my part to illicit
research or investigation nor any communications to cause alarm or would be a
problem if they were monitored or researched, this is an invasion of your
privacy. If you feel that your email contact with me is a problem and request
no further emails from me I understand your wanting to protect your privacy and
I will respect that.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="color: #c0504d; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="color: #c0504d; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt;">If you have a problem with this new requirement you can contact
the office of the governor of Pennsylvania, Tom Corbett, as well as your local
state representatives and senators and voice your opinions on Act 111 of 2011
and Act 9 of 2012.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="color: #c0504d; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="color: #c0504d; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt;">Thank you. <o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
Steve Gordonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14046161941567443439noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3945224470160668602.post-788544190206400132012-12-18T07:23:00.005-05:002012-12-26T07:08:41.359-05:00How much is news really?<span class="userContent"></span><br />
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By Steve Gordon</div>
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Sometimes I just want to scream and yell at the TV, and not at the Eagles for playing so poorly. It is at main stream media. Can somebody explain to me how reporting the news morphed into sensationalizing it? Why can’t they just report what happened without the drama?<br />
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I bet you know what I talking about. In the last few weeks there have been a series of senseless random acts of violence where innocent people were murdered. Most recently the horrific events in Newtown, Connecticut in an elementary school.<br />
<br />
Earlier today I shared a post of a statement Morgan Freeman made and I agree with him. Absolutely do not mention the name of the person committing the acts. NEVER EVER!!! We don’t need to know and it seems to only spur on other people to try to go one better. Where does it end?<br />
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But it is more than that. These people have innocent families that had nothing to do with what they did and don’t you think they have suffered enough. The media creates an atmosphere of secondary victimization for them.<br />
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Further, it doesn’t stop there. After the word is spread on local and national news and sensationalized and dramatized, sometimes mere hours after the occurrence TV specials are hastily aired. Rarely do they provide more or meaningful information as they rehash and repeat what has been said earlier. In the latest one all kinds of wrong information was broadcast.<br />
<br />
I watch the news on TV because it is a way to quickly be informed of things going on around me in the community and the world. It is a link to the outside past my front door and it can be informational only the negative overshadows the positive more often than not. I know people who do not watch TV news because of the negativity and they do not expose their young children to it. <br />
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One last point before I stop ranting. Please get off the gun control issue. Personally I do not think everyone needs or should have a gun and I certainly do not see a need for any citizen to have access to assault type weapons or assault weapon related equipment. I do however think it should be harder to legally obtain a handgun because it is harder to get a drivers license than a gun and a gun permit.<br />
<br />
That said, these crimes are committed with mostly illegal or illegally obtained guns, Gun control is not the answer but it is a start. People that are planning on doing things with guns will find a way to get them no matter how strict the gun control laws are, but if just one potential offense can be averted that is progress.<br />
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We can't just sit back and do nothing and most definately putting more guns out there like having armed police in the schools, as the NRA has suggested, is in my opinion not a resolution to this issue or a good idea. What will be next, libraries, hospitals, post offices, shopping malls, movie theatres, etc.?<br />
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</span><br />Steve Gordonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14046161941567443439noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3945224470160668602.post-49424953734516055712012-12-16T11:46:00.000-05:002012-12-16T11:46:32.766-05:00More on RegistrationBy Steve Gordon<br />
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OK, here we go. Local writer, Laurie Mason Schroeder who covers lot of criminal court issues for the Bucks County Courier Times (<a href="http://www.phillyburbs.com/">www.PhillyBurbs.com</a>), has jumped into the ring on the new Megan's Law requirements.<br />
<br />
The focus of her article in the Sunday, December 16, 2012 paper in the Local section (Page A3) is on juvenile or teen sex offenders. It uses the word "consequences" which by my definition in this means punishment, and the appellate courts have consistently said that ML is not punishment when application of such has been challenged.<br />
<br />
Aside from the things I wrote about in an earlier post last week entitled "Registration" it now appears the laws have really overstepped their boundaries. Schroeder wrote, "SORNA is a portion of the Adam Walsh Child Protection Act, which was signed into law in 2006. The federal act goes a step beyond Megan's Law, imposing longer and stricter registration requirements on sex offenders of all ages."<br />
<br />
SORNA is the Sex Offenders Registration and Notification Act and in her article Schroeder leads off with saying that there will be "long-lasting, potentially public consequences." This is where I take the inference that this is punishment. The consequences go into almost branding a person where applying for work, admission to a school/college or applying for work related licenses punish a person not giving them an equal opportunity.<br />
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The article clearly bears out or confirms my feelings on this issue in a few very succinct words saying, "...juvenile advocates fear that the new law might mark a teen for life." I also believe that the new law unfairly brands all sex offenders and goes beyond consequences into punishment. <br />
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The new law increased the amount of information that the public has access to. I don't understand how this is a productive element. It is fact that a majority of child sex abuse cases involve individuals the child knows AND many are first time offenders. Thus my question is how does more information available to the public prevent anything?<br />
<br />
I was able to get an entry level part-time job after talking with the open minded owner of a local business. He was not so much concerned about what I had done and served time in state prison for but if it would be a problem in the work place. When I assured him that my past would not be a problem in the work place he too me for my word and gave me a job. It has not been an issue and I have made myself an asset to the workplace and I have a very good working relationship with the other employees who do not know (nor is it important that they know) my history. <br />
<br />
However anyone can look up my name or search the sex offender registry online and find me and potentially and maliciously make public that this business has a registered sex offender working there. First, why is this anyone elses business? Second, how or why is that pertinent information? I have proven myself to be responsible and trusted. And not to beat a dead horse, buy my offense was a specific domestic offense with my than wife in our home. How am I a danger to the community or to society?<br />
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Briefly on the public information, there have been cases around the country where people have sought out people listed on ML registrations and perpetrated violence upon them and or their families.<br />
<br />
I fully understand a person with a history of a sex offense cannot work in certain places like in health care with elderly people or in schools for example. There are laws on those things. But I know from personal experience that you can't even get an interview to get a job riding around on the back of a trash truck if you have a felony (and sex offenses are felonys).<br />
<br />
Unfortunately the bottom line is that if anyone, former offender or not, is going to commit a sex offense on a child (or an adult) what is going to stop them? Sure, parents can be careful who they leave watching their children when they are not around knowing someone has a history, but with many of these offenders being first time offenders how is this helpful? Also consider that only a small minority reoffend. <br />
<br />
So when you least expect it good old Uncle __________ (fill in the blank) or your friendly neighbor next door or across the street might actually might be more or a risk than a name of someone you saw online.<br />
<br />
OK, we keep an eye on those who might reoffend and it might prevent a life changing event to happen to a child, but again I present that if someone is intent on committing an act (of any kind) that person will likely carry out his or her intent. In prison they drill into you in group programs that if you think it you will do it. The idea is to keep you from thinking it. How does Megan's Law do this?<br />
<br />
Lawyer Robert Mancini who was quoted in the article commented that he doubts the new law will be a deterrent in reference to the consequences on juveniles. I present that same question in regard to all but SVP (Sexually Violent Predators) offenders.<br />
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You can reach Laurie at email: <a href="mailto:lmason@phillyBurbs.com">lmason@phillyBurbs.com</a><br />
<br />Steve Gordonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14046161941567443439noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3945224470160668602.post-28646919845590759882012-12-12T17:37:00.000-05:002012-12-12T17:37:03.121-05:00The questionBy Steve Gordon<br />
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Can you name 50 things you like about yourself? Can you name 100? This is a positive assessment you can make of yourself. It sounds like a lot but try it and see what happens. Without being too repetitive maybe don't put a limit on the list and just write. See how long you can make it?<br />
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This was an exercise in a group I was in while in prison. Some guys figured out some things they had not thought about in regard to themselves. Of course some guys wrote down what they thought were positives but actually were negatives because of their thinking. Those guys were a minimum and that is all I will say about them.<br />
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While we are making this assessment of ourselves let me diverse just a little and ask you to fill in the blanks on the following 15 items: <em>(Make a complete sentences to express your real feelings.)</em><br />
<ol>
<li>I like_____________________</li>
<li>The happiest time___________</li>
<li>I want to know______________</li>
<li>Back home_________________</li>
<li>I regret____________________</li>
<li>At bedtime_________________</li>
<li>Men_______________________</li>
<li>The best____________________</li>
<li>What annoys me_____________</li>
<li>People_____________________</li>
<li>A mother___________________</li>
<li>I feel_______________________</li>
<li>My greatest fear______________</li>
<li>In school____________________</li>
<li>I can't______________________</li>
</ol>
Still with me?<br />
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Now here is the question:<br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-size: x-large;">Who are you?</span><br />
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Once you figure this out there should be no reason you can't live a happy successful life.<br />
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Here is my closing statement. On my list of things I like about myself at the last minute I erased number 50 on the form we were given and wrote the following"<br />
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"I like that I am a perfectly imperfect human being."Steve Gordonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14046161941567443439noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3945224470160668602.post-42288988354802100762012-12-09T10:32:00.001-05:002012-12-09T10:32:17.548-05:00Prison Health CareI found this cartoon and had to put it up here. How many can relate to this?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3z2DlA_ezwlmLvZyKhEjlMAZBf6Zm9ZXvdmDnE2PQ0lcStjAVzk_R8v4vgGDhDcpzoLr-YtnNEzuiz8SdEUUHR3OlSZVXv47ke7BPWlaKfk97T4R6ejdGaMG1Ghn_GhBnV_jOr_7n4vs/s1600/Prisonhealthcare.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3z2DlA_ezwlmLvZyKhEjlMAZBf6Zm9ZXvdmDnE2PQ0lcStjAVzk_R8v4vgGDhDcpzoLr-YtnNEzuiz8SdEUUHR3OlSZVXv47ke7BPWlaKfk97T4R6ejdGaMG1Ghn_GhBnV_jOr_7n4vs/s400/Prisonhealthcare.JPG" width="267" /></a></div>
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A friend told me a little story the other day I would like to add here.</div>
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In the beginning God created red, green and yellow vegetables and dairy products so man would be able to eat healthy and live a long productive life. Satan created Dairy Queen and asked if he wanted hot fudge with it. Men and women said yes and they gained 10 pounds.</div>
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God created yogurt and Satan brought forth white flour from wheat and sugar from cane and women went from size 2 to 14.</div>
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God presented the potato that is naturally low in fat and full of potassium and good nutrition and Satan peeled off the skin, sliced it and fried it in animal fats and cholesterol levels went up.</div>
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God gave man lean beef and Satan created McDonald's and Super Sized it and people began to have cardiac arrest.</div>
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God created quadruple by-pass surgery and Satan chuckled and created Obamacare.</div>
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OK, that's it. Got my political dig in for the day. You all have a great day.</div>
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Steve Gordon</div>
Steve Gordonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14046161941567443439noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3945224470160668602.post-8603353585756206562012-12-09T09:43:00.000-05:002012-12-09T09:43:05.143-05:00RegistrationBy Steve Gordon<br />
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Here is the latest draconian legislation in Pennsylvania that on the surface people say protects society, but in reality it is basically worthless and lip service to a headline driven paranoid population. Governor Tom Corbett signed into law significant changes to the sexual offender registration law. Act 111 of 2011 and Act 91 of 2012 incorporate federally mandated changes that go into effect on December 20, 2012.<br />
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Basically registration is quarterly now instead of every six months. I am not sure how this changed, but I thought I was on a 10 year registration but apparently I have Lifetime registration. I am not sure how this will change should my petition for a Pardon be signed in a couple years. However given the nature of things I am not positive on that happening even as I have successfully transitioned and I am by the accounts of my neighbors, a good neighbor.<br />
<br />
Anyway, the letter I got from the PA State Police reads:<br />
<br />
You will be required to verify your current, existing information and to provide the following additional items or information during the registration process:<br />
<ul>
<li>Palm prints</li>
<li>DNA Sample</li>
<li>Passport Number, Immigration ID and Immigration Status</li>
<li>Internet Identifiers (such as email address(es)).</li>
<li>Vehicles owned or operated, including locations parked or stored.</li>
<li>Boats and aircraft owned or operated, including locations parked and stored.</li>
<li>Professional License information (such as real estate license, Barber's license, etc.).</li>
</ul>
This flies in the face of reality that most all studies done, and the ACLU can verify this, have shown that registration does not protect or prevent sexual offenses. Megan's Law was originally intended to protect children from sexual abuse and nearly all studies on this account show that the majority of these offenses are committed by family members or persons the children know, not the guy who is out of prison and lives down the street or on the next block.<br />
<br />
Further, many of those under Megan's Law registration are 1. first time offenders; and 2. did not have offenses regarding minor children. <br />
<br />
Justice Department statistics I have seen in the past have shown clearly, and by a wide margin, that the majority of sexual offenders are first time offenders. This makes the whole concept of Megan's Law a law on paper that has no teeth except for government to control and potential harassment of former sexual offenders not deemed to be Sexually Violent Predators.<br />
<br />
If a person is found to be a SVP then that person needs to be monitored. To exercise the amount of control and hold information on those not deemed to be a danger in this regard is infringement upon personal liberties. If I had the financial resources and a good lawyer willing to take up the fight I would be doing this. Unfortunately I do not. It is an unpopular subject that many lawyers will not tackle because of public perception even if they feel it is unjust.<br />
<br />
To take it a little further, there are sex offenders with offenses that were not involving children such as domestic offenses or consentual relationships for example and these offenders pose no danger or threat to the general public or children.<br />
<br />
It is a sticky subject because sexual offenses are not acceptable, but the point is that not all sexual offenders need to be watched and monitored as closely as these new legislation's allow. People are against the Patriot Act as too much Big Brother and there are fine lines within it. There should be fine lines in the sex offender registration laws as well. Steve Gordonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14046161941567443439noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3945224470160668602.post-28192751030698898802012-12-08T19:48:00.000-05:002012-12-09T09:48:14.740-05:00Prison Reform<span class="userContent">By Steve Gordon</span><br />
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The <em><strong>Forum For Understanding Prisons</strong></em> out of Wisconsin is working towards prison reform. The current issue is keeping older prisoners incarcerated. With nationwide prison overcrowding this makes even more sense now than ever before. It isn't a new proposal, just one that has fallen on deaf ears in government and corrections in the past and it is being revisited.<br />
<br />
I was 63-years-old when I was released from prison after serving 10 years. I had family and friends for support, a place to go to live, a car to drive, some money in a savings account, and I was generally in good health in spite of the minimal health care in prison. I don't think that is the norm. Unfortunately I do not have a stack of statistics or results of studies to justify that keeping older prisoners is costly, and for the most part unproductive, but I think that FFUP is targeting a just cause.<br />
<br />
It actually is common sense if you think about it.<br />
<br />
1. Financial - It costs more for medical care for older prisoners.<br />
2. General Living Conditions - Older prisoners sometimes require special circumstances such as lower bunk status or even single cell status.<br />
3. Safety - The recidivism rate, or the likely hood of older prisoners committing more crimes is minimal if only from a physical aspect let alone from a more mature attitude toward respecting the laws and the rights of other citizens.<br />
<br />
It doesn't take much to figure out that older prisoners are likely to have more ailments and will require more medications. There are also visits to outside specialists and medical facilities for care that prison medical facilities are not equipped to deal and which increases the costs of care. Even without the above there is just more time required by prison medical staff for treatments and general wellness care for older prisoners and none of this takes dental care into consideration.<br />
<br />
Prison isn't suppose to be comfortable, but prison conditions in general are not conducive for a comfortable/humane environment for many older prisoners who will develop arthritis and other ailments related to aging. Cold damp cells accelerate and aggravate these things. Stress doesn't help either. Further, hard metal bunks (with a thin mattress) as well as hard wood or metal seats/stools with no back support just aren't appropriate for older prisoners who develop lower back problems. <br />
<br />
While all meals are (minimally) sufficient nutritionally, older prisoners dietary needs are different than younger men and women. All prisons do have measures to address this but I would suggest that it is different from prison to prison based on the physical capabilities of each facility. <br />
<br />
Any vitamin supplements an older prisoner would take he would be required to purchase with his own money. That would be money earned from a prison job or sent in from family or friends outside, if he has those people. The sidebar to that is older prisoners lose family and such and at some point there may not be anyone outside. Aside from the financial aspect, it lessens his or her options for where they would go to restart their lives.<br />
<br />
The safety to society and the community however is the bottom line. Without question there are older prisoners who do not deserve or belong outside of prison. But there are many studies that show the rate of recidivism for older prisoners is minimal at best, one of the lowest percentages actually. Just the other day I was listening to the music of Les Miserables and wondering if many of us (older ex-offenders) have a little Jean Valjean within us?<br />
<br />
I just feel I need to highlight some issues and you can draw your own conclusions. Below are some comments made by the FFUP on its Facebook page:<br />
<span class="userContent"></span><br />
<span class="userContent"><em>"FFUP is consulting with legislators, 2 law schools, several judges to put together a bill that give a viable path for release for the 1600 prisoners over the age of 55 who have been eligible for parole for many years and are stuck in limbo. This bill will help solve a growing national crisis inside our prisons caused by our nation's refusal to acknowledge that people do change and many deserve a second chance. Elderly prisoners are 3 times more expensive to house that younger prisoners, have a 2 percent recidivism rate. Prisons are not set up to house them humanely. With robust screening and placement and then a hearing before sentencing judge, our bill begins to address this problem : see<br /> Elderly Release Bill- A work in progress"</em></span><br />
<span class="userContent"></span><br />
<span class="userContent">I would also like to include excerpts a couple comments on the above post: </span><br />
<br />
<span class="userContent"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id=".reactRoot[1].[1][2][1]{comment4895756638976_5382347}..[1]..[1]..[0].[0][2]"><span class="UFICommentBody" id=".reactRoot[1].[1][2][1]{comment4895756638976_5382347}..[1]..[1]..[0].[0][2]."><span id=".reactRoot[1].[1][2][1]{comment4895756638976_5382347}..[1]..[1]..[0].[0][2]..[0]"><span id=".reactRoot[1].[1][2][1]{comment4895756638976_5382347}..[1]..[1]..[0].[0][2]..[0].[0]"><em>"You can scream and yell all you want but getting some to listen, someone who might have the capacity to initiate change...positive change...then having it acted on is the barrier. Like government, corrections moves at a snails</em></span></span><span id=".reactRoot[1].[1][2][1]{comment4895756638976_5382347}..[1]..[1]..[0].[0][2]..[3]"><span id=".reactRoot[1].[1][2][1]{comment4895756638976_5382347}..[1]..[1]..[0].[0][2]..[3]."><span id=".reactRoot[1].[1][2][1]{comment4895756638976_5382347}..[1]..[1]..[0].[0][2]..[3]..[0]"><em> pace."</em> </span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span class="userContent"></span><br />
<span class="userContent"><em>"Only those that dare to see the "invisible" can do the "Impossible."</em> <br /> <br /> <em>"GOD has created us to make a mark, to make a positive difference for the time we have here. 11 years ago, my severally mentally ill brother was an accessory to a Crime (was mentally ill at age 14) where he was a Victim himself. To the publics' eye, he should be put away and not receive the medical treatment he needs to receive healing mentally, physically, as well as spiritually. He is ONE OF MANY that I speak for of the injustices that take place every day in our current PRISON System. Sadly, many do not know how or want to get personally involved. America makes up a mere 3-5 percent of the worlds population, yet approx. 25 percent of our men and women are in some sort of Prison and/or jail. Who will stand up and speak for those that have no voice? Who will be the voice? A stranger on a plane reminded me recently, that IF it was easy, "everyone would be doing it." That it takes a brave strong individual to begin to make change. With God's help may I be that change. <br /> "Speak up for those that can not speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute." <br /> Proverbs 31:8"</em><br /><br /> <em>"This work can be rather hard on the heart and soul of good people. Rarely do you get someone who can look the truth in the face and keep on fighting. The truth is horrific, but the public wants to think differently, to keep the "tough on crime" mentality alive. <br /> Fear is a huge "obstacle" for many good hearted people."</em><br /> </span><br />
<span class="userContent">To read more about the FFUP on this and other issues go to these links:<br />
<span class="userContent"></span> <br />
<span class="userContent"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/mrs.efleming/posts/4895756638976?comment_id=5383368&ref=notif&notif_t=like#!/prisonforum?fref=ts">https://www.facebook.com/mrs.efleming/posts/4895756638976?comment_id=5383368&ref=notif&notif_t=like#!/prisonforum?fref=ts</a></span><br />
<br />
<a href="http://forumforunderstandingprisons.net/">http://forumforunderstandingprisons.net/</a></span>Steve Gordonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14046161941567443439noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3945224470160668602.post-37536691617921553022012-11-25T23:12:00.001-05:002012-11-25T23:12:19.095-05:00Response to Angela Lewis
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<b><i><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><span style="color: red;">The following is my response to Angela Lewis concerning her efforts for reducing the prison population with programs for non-violent offenders. It was off the cuff and not meant to be negative towards her work, just my personal feelings. She is trying to accomplish what so many have talked about for too many years but have not acted on. She is to be commended. Here is what I wrote to her:</span></span></i></b></div>
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<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">I
like the concept of treatment vs prison but having been through the system and
living with the people you are talking about I personally don’t see it as
positive as you present. There are violent offenders in prison who would be
less dangerous in the community than some drug offenders. There has to be some
classification of the violent offenders and the offenses considered violent
offenses. But everything has to be tried and I get that.<o:p></o:p></span></span></em></span></div>
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</span></em><br />
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<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">It
will no doubt reduce the prison population but if the halfway houses are not
used properly and as they were intended to be used (as has been the case in
Pennsylvania) how is this going to work? There has to be consequences of some
sort and with drug offenders there just doesn’t seem to be. I can’t tell you
how many times I have heard drug offenders in both county and state prison say
the first thing they were going to do when they got out was _____________. You
fill in the blank and it won’t take a lot of imagination to get it.<o:p></o:p></span></span></em></span></div>
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</span></em><br />
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<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">People
in prison take the drug programs because they are told they have to or they
won’t get parole consideration. Then the parole process is so subjective there
is no guarantee. How is that productive? Sure, some will learn and take the
programs to heart but does anyone know the real success rate? They are already
in prison. Put someone in a halfway house and tell them to take drug program
and the outcomes will be either release from the halfway house on completion
and evaluation OR go to prison. There is a consequence – prison. You cannot
take that away.<o:p></o:p></span></span></em></span></div>
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</span></em><br />
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<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">As
you haven’t been where I have, I have not been in your shoes. I know the
definition of addiction but to be honest, I don’t know what being an addict is.
I don’t understand it – the part of not being able to stop destructive
behavior. When I was first out of the Navy I drank a little but it wasn’t that
I had to or felt a need to do it. It wasn’t on a daily basis, mostly only over
indulging socially.<o:p></o:p></span></span></em></span></div>
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</span></em><br />
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<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">Two
things happened. One time friends had to drive me home and take me up to our
third floor apartment for my wife. Pathetic. The second was that I just decided
I didn’t like the way it made me feel. End result is that I just said I am not
going to do it and I never got that way again. Today I might have a couple
beers or a glass or two of wine in certain situations but no hard liquor. I
just don’t want it.<o:p></o:p></span></span></em></span></div>
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</span></em><br />
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<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">In
prison in casual conversation guys who had alcohol or drug offenses would talk
about what they did and blame it on the drugs or alcohol and I just didn’t get
it. It sounded loud and clear like justification or an excuse for not taking
personal responsibility. We had a guy who was in on a double homicide arson for
setting a building on fire when he was drunk because someone owed him money. He
got two life sentences reduced to 20-40 years (I think on a technicality of
some kind) and then got out on parole. Never did I ever hear him take
responsibility and it was all because he was drunk. That really bothered me. He
didn’t do any programs while in prison and he got out of prison before his
maximum sentence. He was a really smart guy and spent lots of time in our Law
Library reading about the law.<o:p></o:p></span></span></em></span></div>
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</span></em><br />
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<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">Anyway,
I just don’t understand and have never felt the pull of an addiction. I only
know way too many people I had contact with in prison for drug and alcohol
offenses talked about going right back to the same lifestyle. My point about
violent offenses is that some people, myself included, had violent offenses and
did some bad things but many, like myself, were not a danger to ever do those
things again and thus they were not a danger to society or the community.<o:p></o:p></span></span></em></span></div>
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</span></em><br />
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<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">What
you and Peg and others are doing is great. Too much money goes to the prison
systems and this country imprisons more people than any other country and your
state (Wisconsin) and mine (Pennsylvania) are two of the worst. I remember an
older statistic of PA, Texas and Wisconsin having the highest rate of the
length of time prisoners were kept in prison.<o:p></o:p></span></span></em></span></div>
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</span></em><br />
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<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">A
secondary issue is getting people jobs so they have a life and a purpose. Idle
time is useless and dangerous. Unfortunately I don’t think the recent election
results were wrong for that issue, but that is just my political view. Unions
need to go and people need to adopt attitudes that the government is not
responsible for handouts. People need to get off their ass and take control and
responsibility. People need to accept they might have to work for minimum wage.
Look at all those people now out of work from Hostess. They weren’t willing to
work for lower wages and now they aren’t working at all.<o:p></o:p></span></span></em></span></div>
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</span></em><br />
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<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">Just
keep pushing forward for positive change. We need to spend the money going to
corrections on education and as you say, programs for addictions that are far
less costly than incarceration. It would help is society would change its
attitude and accept that people make mistakes and they deserve (in most cases)
a second chance.</span></span></em></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><em><span style="color: red;"><strong><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And that is all I have to say about that.</span></strong></span></em></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><em><span style="color: red;"><strong><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></strong></span></em></span> </div>
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<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><em><span style="color: red;"><strong><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Steve Gordon<o:p></o:p></span></strong></span></em></span></div>
Steve Gordonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14046161941567443439noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3945224470160668602.post-76464813191089157752012-11-25T12:43:00.001-05:002012-11-25T12:43:28.358-05:00CleansingBy Steve Gordon<br />
<br />
I don't know why it took so long, but I have been keeping two file boxes full of court related papers and numerous legal actions I filed while in prison. I was released from prison in May 2010 after 10 years and for a reason I cannot come up with I have kept all these papers in numerous file folders.<br />
<br />
Among them was a four inch thick file with all my parole papers from my four parole denials and my challenges and letters. I ventured to read some of them and they sound just as lame today as they did before. <br />
<br />
One humorous thing I came across was a cartoon with a prisoner talking with his attorney and the prisoner saying, "I can't get paroled. I will lose my health coverage." How appropriate is that today with the political world tied up in knots and Obamacare that seemingly most of the population of our country does not want and many of our legislators who don't even understand it?<br />
<br />
I cannot explain the feeling of letting go of this part of my past. I put on some CD's of movie soundtracks and the one that hit me the most was the theme from "The Last of the Mohicans" called "Top of the World." <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Papcv0A6vn0" rel="nofollow nofollow" target="_blank"><span>http://www.youtube.com/</span><wbr></wbr><span class="word_break"></span>watch?v=Papcv0A6vn0</a> Take some time to sit back and listen to it. Loud is good to let it flow through you.<br />
<br />
Anyway, I am half way through the cleansing and there is no hesitation to what I might keep or not. It is all going. All the petitions, court rulings, court transcripts, letters to lawyers, etc. All of it.<br />
<br />
Just thought I would share that.<br />
<br />
Steve Gordonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14046161941567443439noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3945224470160668602.post-67051155301089464912012-11-23T00:11:00.003-05:002012-11-23T00:11:37.294-05:00SearchingMessage from Steve Gordon<br />
<br />
I haven't made many new entries as I have moved on with my life, but I have written about most of the things I have faced with my reentry. I would say at this point my reentry is successful and I have put the 10 years in prison behind.<br />
<br />
My relationship with my son is going very well and I absolutely would give my life to protect my granddaughter who will be 2 on 12-10-12.<br />
<br />
For those who have been on the blog or those new to the blog I want to suggest reading or rereading the very first post I made called "Reentry is no Picnic." It is down on the list of posts so it could easily be missed. I think this spells out a lot of things, especially for those recently released. It is something I believe that is timeless.<br />
<br />
Thanks. <br />
<br />
In closing this post I want to say that I hope you all had a nice Thanksgiving Day and that the rest of the holiday season is enjoyed with positive experiences with family and friends. Don't do anything that will send you back to a place where you don't want to be. Take control of your life, don't let life control you.<br />
<br />
Steve Gordonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14046161941567443439noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3945224470160668602.post-68109511250811407592012-11-22T22:58:00.001-05:002012-11-24T16:31:20.617-05:00Be Your Own Big BrotherBy Steve Gordon<br />
<br />
First, Happy Thanksgiving to anyone reading this and also to your family wherever you are.<br />
<br />
As I stood at work yesterday at a Chick-fil-A store doing the daily routine of preparing hundreds of pounds of chicken breasts for the day I had a recurring thought of how we should handle ourselves in life. It isn't a foreign train of thought for me, and I suspect for many people.<br />
<br />
I saw the movie "Flight" last week and it was an extraordinary movie. Denzel Washington was as good as he has ever been which is a high standard if you are familiar with his acting. What hit me most (it no doubt was intended to hit all viewers) was the question at the end of the movie. I won't write it so I don't ruin it for anyone who is reading this and has not seen the movie yet. Obviously it started the gears turning in my head.<br />
<br />
We live in an age where the political climate seems to be pushing more government upon the people which in a sense is a big brother is watching thing. A lot of people are against this but what I want to write about goes beyond that into personal behavior.<br />
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A loose analogy might be if you see someone speeding to a point where a traffic summons would be warranted but there are no police around. Sound familiar? I am sure we have all been there. We say to ourselves, or out loud if there is someone with us, "Where are the cops when you need them?" <br />
<br />
We all speed at some point. Admit it. The point here is that you think that if that were you the siren and flashing lights would be in your rear view. A sense of fairness overwhelms you. But wait...you want big brother watching, but not watching you?<br />
<br />
OK, this isn't about your driving habits, this is about personal behavior and your perception of it. Who is responsible for what you do and how you act?<br />
<br />
Here is a personal theory that might not be popular with some. When I was in prison and acting as a peer facilitator of groups called "Citizenship" and "Character Development" many inmates would complain about how the Correction Officers treated them or they got caught doing this or that and it wasn't fair.<br />
<br />
Do I have to comment on what is wrong with that train of thought?<br />
<br />
For certain there are strict rules in prison that the CO's are there to enforce. Not all enforce them to the letter but don't we all do that in our daily lives with things? So how do you deal with that?<br />
<br />
I like the word proactive and I like to think that I carry myself according to that concept more often than not. It makes me in control of my life as much as possible rather than giving up control to someone else. What I would say in group sessions to other inmates was that they had to think like the CO's.<br />
<br />
Some would catch on and some faces would be wrinkled with question or confusion. It was like they were thinking, "We are inmates, why should we think like the CO's?"<br />
<br />
We would talk about it and it is a very simple concept when you boil it down. If certain CO's have their idiosyncrasies you learn them, understand where they are coming from and conform to them. It is basic survival in a way. Yes, you are still under their control, but you limit that control by taking away at least part of their game. Most of the population does not live in prison but why can't that basic concept still hold water in our daily lives, in our society, and in our communities?<br />
<br />
But there is a secondary part to it. If you behave in a manner that conforms (for lack of a better word) and it makes your life better and has a positive affect on the people around you, then aren't you the better person for that? So referring back to my analogy, if you are afraid of getting caught speeding then shouldn't you drive your vehicle as if there were a patrol car following you?<br />
<br />
Now put the concept into your daily life. Pick someone you respect, alive or dead. A family member, a close friend, a celebrity you admire, a sports figure, someone from history, etc. Can you imagine doing that? Can you imagine that simple image of the person you admire smiling or frowning at what you do and how you behave?<br />
<br />
On occasions when I have been out playing golf by myself in the off season (but even sometimes with playing partners) I hit a shot and wonder what Arnold Palmer or Jack Nicklaus would say about that. But it works in life. I have found on occasions I have envisioned the only grandfather I knew, who passed away when I was 15, watching me and wanting to put a smile on his face.<br />
<br />
It is definitely a big brother is watching thing except on a personal level where you are in control. Whatever consequences that come about in your life from your actions you have to look within yourself, don't pass the buck to someone or something else. None of us are perfect and we will make mistakes, but we have to take personal responsibility for them. Maybe you should put a big brother in your life.<br />
<br />
Call it taking personal responsibility and being proactive with your life. I am going to be 66 in a couple days and I'd like my family to be able to say I was a good man when my time expires. Don't you aspire for the same?<br />
<br />Steve Gordonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14046161941567443439noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3945224470160668602.post-74693124010623164882012-07-27T18:34:00.000-04:002012-07-27T18:34:07.294-04:00Friendly visit follow upBy Steve Gordon<br />
<br />
As my friend wrote me in an email, I guess you have a new friend. I responded that I am not sure I have friends in the police department, but maybe.<br />
<br />
To back track, I thanked the detective for his courteous visit via email and he responded that he sent a letter to the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) confirming that I was living at my listed address, etc. Then two days later he wrote back that they reported that I had not re registered and to make a long story short as I informed him I had copies, he suggested I go to the PSP and re register.<br />
<br />
I did that and guess what they found in a file cabinet? A hard copy of my visit to re register for ML. However, the officer that took it 1) dated it March 27 when it should have been May; and 2) he never forwarded it to Harrisburg which means technically I didn't re register.<br />
<br />
The officer on duty when I went up said if they questioned it I had the copies to show. He is right, but if the sheriffs department or local police came to arrest me with a warrant that I had not re registered, do you think they would look at my evidence or follow their orders which were to arrest me and then they would sort out the reality of it later? I am thinking probably not.<br />
<br />
All is well that ends well. They printed a new copy of my paperwork, dated it current and I signed it and got a copy and was on my way.Steve Gordonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14046161941567443439noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3945224470160668602.post-77101891748007623482012-07-20T20:28:00.001-04:002012-07-20T20:28:23.141-04:00A friendly visitBy Steve Gordon<br />
<br />
While at the dinner table the other night we notices a van pull up in front of the house and a man with a brief case get out and come up the drive. I got up to meet him at the door.<br />
<br />
He was a detective from the local police department checking up on me to see if I was still living there and if everything was ok. He stressed that there had been no complaints. Curious that no one had ever done that before?<br />
<br />
Mom was glad it was a normal looking unmarked van because the neighbors would be asking what it was about. I say to hell with the neighbors and what people think, etc. The ones that count know I was in prison. The ones that don't know fall under the need to know mentality.<br />
<br />
It was a courteous visit but I did not ask him in because we were in the middle of supper.<br />
<br />
The next day I emailed him to thank him for the courteous visit and he responded that he filed a letter to the PA State Police that everything was fine and that the department has had no contact with me (meaning official contact as for criminal activity).<br />
<br />
I guess he was doing his job, but given the circumstances of my offense and that no one has ever checked or visited here it was curious. I have been expected a visit from the local parole officer who is supposed to do a visit and interview inregard to my application for a Pardon.<br />
<br />
Happy to report positive things here.<br />
<br />
On another note, the letter to the Bucks County DOC offering my time to help in any way with a program to help prisoners prepare for reentry has gone unresponded to. Not even a thanks but no thanks. Closed mindedness still exists I guess.Steve Gordonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14046161941567443439noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3945224470160668602.post-77932780353504520012012-07-18T07:28:00.000-04:002012-07-18T17:17:25.088-04:00Her Letter from Prison<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><em><strong>This came to me via email and I decided to share it. I have no affiliation with Heather or her book but it sounds like good reading.</strong></em></span><br />
<strong><em><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">Steve Gordon</span></em></strong><br />
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<a href="http://www.blogger.com/" name="OLE_LINK2"></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/" name="OLE_LINK1"></a><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK2;">Please consider introducing Heather’s story, a
series of ebooks entitled “Her Letters from Prison”, to your <b><u>re-entry</u></b>
readers.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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Heather Heaton's new ebook series ("<b>Her Letters from
Prison</b>") is an <span style="color: red;">inspirational </span>resource
for reading pleasure, review, contemplation, and discussion.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Heather's own testimony: <span style="color: red;">"<b><i>God
changed my life in prison!"<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
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"Her Letters from Prison" (Parts 1 & 2) will
validate your inquisitive thoughts and doubts about what goes on in women’s
prisons (It is what it is!); and it can justify the efforts spent toward
women’s prison ministries. These two ebooks can be a <span style="color: red;">motivational</span> (<u>tell-it-like-it-is</u>) resource for
drug rehab/prevention and reentry programs, especially when combined with
"Her Letters from Prison – Part 4: Recycled – Second Time
Around".<o:p></o:p></div>
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"Her Letters from Prison" is a non-fiction,
inspirational, romance ebook series; with Heather's original letters (with
prison art) included as images for authenticity. <span style="color: black;">Heather's
story describes how female offenders are perceived and handled (often abused)
in the criminal justice system. The story continues (Part 4) to describe
Heather's first two years of <u>re-entry</u> back into the real world and how she
ended a destructive narcissistic-codependent relationship.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">"Her Letters from
Prison: Women-in-Prison" (Part 3) contains two PowerPoint
presentations prepared for the University of Alabama/Women's Studies
"Women in Prison" conference. Both presentations are based on
Parts 1 & 2 of Heather's story; and they are entitled "Women-in-Prison
(Almost Invisible)" and "Women-in-Prison (Facts/Myths)".
Also, Heather's personal testimony is included in the Part 3 publication.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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You can go to <a href="http://www.heather-heaton.com/"><b><span style="color: blue;">http://www.heather-heaton.com</span></b></a>,
and click on a direct link to Heather's Amazon.com and/or Smashwords "book
pages" for “<b>Her Letters from Prison</b>”. Alternatively, you can
visit Heather’s author pages:<o:p></o:p></div>
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<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/author/heatherheaton"><span style="color: blue;">http://www.amazon.com/author/heatherheaton</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/heatherdh"><span style="color: blue;">https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/heatherdh</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></li>
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Heather’s ebooks are also available in paperback
format. The paperback book ("Her Letters from Prison") may be
obtained by contacting Heather through her website "contact"
form. The paperback book contains Part 1, 2, and 3 ebooks.
"Her Letters from Prison - Part 4" will be published as its own
paperback book soon.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Thanks for your time and consideration.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Heather Heaton<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>Steve Gordonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14046161941567443439noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3945224470160668602.post-73087558212711516572012-07-08T10:05:00.001-04:002012-07-08T10:05:15.224-04:00Letter (see Neglected post)<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 6;"> </span>July
8, 2012<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">To
Whom It May Concern:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">A
month or so ago I read in the local newspaper an article on a program for
reintegration aimed at reentry into society for prisoners upon their release.
What a relief to read that something is being done in that regard, if only on a
local level.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">From
my experience, regardless of what the common belief is or what officials say is
being done on a state level, this is an area that needs attention. My story
briefly is that I spent 8 months in BCCC before serving the remainder of my 10
year maximum sentence at SCI-Cresson. I was released in May 2010.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">During
that time whatever assets I had and whatever life I had with work and family
were lost. A divorce in 2003 relieved me of basically all material things and in
the process I gave away a relationship with my son (that today is on the mend)
and of course employment potential.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Today,
if not for my elderly parents (ages 88 and 91), I might be living in a
cardboard box under a bridge somewhere. I am fortunate to have VA Medical care
available from my service in the US Navy during Vietnam and the Cold War in the
nuclear submarine service. I live with my parents and take care of the house
and help them as I can.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Individually
I have established credit scores in the mid 700’s and purchased a vehicle
getting an auto loan on my own merit. I have a part time job at a Chick-fil-A
but it took me a year to get that and I feel fortunate to have it. I was also
featured in an article by Jane Von Berg in the Philadelphia Inquirer in March
2011 in regard to employment for ex-offenders. I collect my Social Security and
I have been able to rejuvenate my golf game for recreation as well as
friendship with former golf buddies.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">What
I am getting at is that I have been through the process of reintegration and I
have that personal experience to potentially help with your program and I would
like to offer some of my time to the program. I am not concerned if there is
compensation or not but if there is it surely would be appreciated.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Thank
you and I hope to hear from you soon.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Sincerely,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Steven
R. Gordon<o:p></o:p></span></div>Steve Gordonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14046161941567443439noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3945224470160668602.post-41315901273003300952012-07-07T08:24:00.001-04:002012-07-07T08:24:56.652-04:00NeglectedBy Steve Gordon<br />
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I know, I have neglected this blog. I haven't written anything new for a while. I have gotten caught up in summer and working outside and playing golf and it just got pushed to the back burner. I was writing to a couple friends I left behind in prison, but both are out on parole and not allowed to have contact with me. Not me personally, me as an ex-offender.<br />
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Here is the backwards thinking logic in that. I understand trying to keep certain people away from a kind of influence that could be detrimental, but on the other side there is a logic of trying to get people out to hook up with people who have been out and who have been successful and could help the newly released inmate.<br />
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I read in the local paper a month or so ago about a program to get prisoners prepared for their reentry into society upon their release. What a great program. What a great concept. Get away from the lock um up mentality and actually do something to help people.<br />
<br />
Just before I was released in 2010 I wrote to the warden of my county prison here in Bucks County, Pennsylvania and told him my situation and offered myself up to help in any way he saw fit to help guys in prison realize this was not a path to follow. Believe it or not, young guys who get in trouble and get small sentences to local prisons actually think it is a badge of honor or sorts. For sure it is not that as they will find out the hard way unless someone can show them before it accelerates into more serious things and a lifestyle of life in prison.<br />
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Anyway, I didn't get even a reply to my letter. I don't understand how people who have been there and can help people from going there are outcasts from the process. I wanted to write another letter about the reentry program but I never got around to it. In the back of my mind was the idea that the draconian thinking still would prevail and if I got a reply it might be thanks, but no thanks.<br />
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However that kind of thinking on my part just continues the problem. I am going to write that letter and again offer some of my time. I will keep you posted.<br />
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Last week I had the opportunity to sit and talk with my best friends wife whom I had not seen since the 90's before my offense. In brief, she was flabbergasted that there is little reentry preparation for prisoners for their release. That they basically just open the gate, wish you good luck and slam the gate shut behind you.<br />
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I know personally of people who went out and committed a crime so they would go back to prison because that is the only life they know and living outside is a scary thing. A very scary thing. The world today moves at a fast pace and technology advances daily. Now not everybody needs all the technology that is out here, but some of it is pretty much a necessity and it starts with knowing how to use the Internet and a computer.<br />
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Often I wonder how my friends are doing. I am not too worried about one of them, but the other I have some concerns about. Not from the point that he will get in trouble again, I don't think that is the case, it would be from his having the support and dealing with the restritctions placed on him by his probation. I have a phobe bumber but I can't call it because if he gets put on a random lie detector test and asked if he has had contact with an ex-offender he would have to answer yes. Even if he did not inititate it, it could cause him some grief. I can't to that to him, to either of them.<br />
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Let me get to finding an address and writing my letter.<br />
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Later...Steve Gordonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14046161941567443439noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3945224470160668602.post-26233575327863450512012-03-22T23:37:00.000-04:002012-03-22T23:37:40.353-04:00Dinner with the kidBy Steve Gordon<br />
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I got to see and hold my wonderful 15-month-old granddaughter Wednesday at my son Jim's home. She is starting to walk and words are slowly coming out of her mouth.<br />
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Jim has some things he needs to work out with me as we reestablish our relationship and would like me to help him with some projects outside around his house. As a new family the finances are a tough act trying to keep up with the expenses, or potential expenses. We can do some of his projects but some might be more than I can handle. <br />
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The bottom line is what has to be worked out is to prioritize what he and his wife want done and then tackle them one at a time. It will be a work in progress done in stages. We joked about winning the big lottery, but at that point you don't fix up an small older place, you move to a newer one that has the room a new family will be needing.<br />
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But this isn't so much about winning big in the lottery or home improvement projects as it is a bonding process where I can earn his trust and a place as part of his family, as his dad. Projects are easier when they are at your own place because you can work on your timetable, even as little as an hour here or an hour there. When you are doing it at someone elses house you are on their schedule, and Jim and his wife Chrissy have a whirlwind life centered around Casey (the baby) and family. His wife comes from a big family.<br />
<br />
It has been a long time since I raised Jim as a baby but being a grandparent gives a different perspective to the process. How can you look into those young innocent eyes and be stern when this little girl does something she shouldn't have. You know, the game of dropping something on the floor from the high chair (on purpose) and babbling "Uh Oh" with an innocent expression.<br />
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We had a nice dinner and the small kitchen area makes cleanup more difficult than it might normally be. But things got cleaned up and time to get baby ready for bed. One problem, baby wasn't ready to go to bed. But eventually the eyes drooped and she laid down on the floor and went to sleep.<br />
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I wanted to talk to them just a short while to say a few things I felt ought to be said to both Jim and Chrissy. I started with the obvious that my actions messed up a lot of peoples lives and said I was sorry for that. To this I added that I was proud to be a father, father-in-law and grandfather and said I wanted to earn my way to be part of their family telling them I loved them. Hopefully some day they can feel proud to be a son, daughter-in-law and of course granddaughter of me. It isn't a biological right.<br />
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That was the basis and if flowed from there as I got into a couple of specific things I felt needed to be put on the table. We got off topic throughout as things came up and back on topic and it was nearly midnight and all three of us had to get up for work the next morning. Even if they didn't have to be up, I am sure Casey would have them up.<br />
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Oh, I also got to show off my new pick-up to them. Now we progress onward in a positive manner and all parties know that open communications both ways is the key and it needs to be practiced everyday.Steve Gordonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14046161941567443439noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3945224470160668602.post-44859458349954916042012-03-14T20:31:00.000-04:002012-03-14T20:31:03.311-04:00Again with the ML car registrationBy Steve Gordon<br />
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If you have read through the blog you would be aware of the Megan's Law registration ordeal. Well...it isn't so much an ordeal as walking on coals, but it is unpleasant. You would also be aware my requirement to register is based on a domestic offense and not some random act on the street with a stranger, or worse, a minor.<br />
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Enough of the reiteration.<br />
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I purchased a new vehicle last Saturday. My 1996 Blazer has seen better days. Even though the engine was new and only had about 6,000 miles on it and it had a new computer module and some other stuff including two new tires, I drew the line at a couple thousand more dollars for a transmission. It was a $25,000 car brand new but it has outlived its usefulness to me and my family.<br />
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Here is a brief history. My son picked it out on the lot when we were just looking around. My old Blazer was getting tired. I drove it, the now ex-wife agreed to get it and we did. My son Jim learned how to drive in it. When I went to prison in 2000 Jim took control of it (his mother had her own vehicle). My family and I wanted to have it sold for money to pay a real lawyer vs. having a public pretender. The ex-wife got involved and that wasn't going to happen.<br />
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My brother Jay, who died in July 2011 of cancer at age 54, took the car and basically hid it to protect it. We still wanted to sell it while it had value but smaller minds had other plans. It wasn't until 2003 when the ex-wife got her personal injury trial and the Blazer was at the heart of discussion to drop the suit even as I agreed to give her basically everything. So she had her trial and got a $500,000 judgment against me when I was in prison and I am speculating it cost her over $100,000 to get it with lawyer fees and his percentage of the judgment.<br />
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Bottom line is there was nothing to win. Our estate together wasn't worth $500,000. The Masters Hearing for the divorce was two days after the trial. We went in and as I had offered before, she could have basically everything except for a list of personal things and the Blazer. The Master listened and Pat objected. When I pointed out she already had two cars to which Pat meekly answered yes the Master said she didn't think she needed three cars.<br />
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In a round about way the Blazer became a $500,000 vehicle. Here is what it was about. It was a personal thing for me but it was also keeping something of value. As it turned out it became very useful. I signed it over to my brother to use and in 2010 before I came home he and my father made the decision to put a new engine in it. <br />
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You can second guess that, but fact is having my own vehicle was a good thing. I did not have to rely on anyone for a car to get around and thus I had some freedom to come and go as I wanted and as necessary. I paid for the upkeep, gas and insurance and paved the road to having responsibility after 10 years away from society.<br />
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Guess I kind of got off topic, but maybe a little history made a good story.<br />
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Back to the where we started with the Blazer, its days were numbered. It was time to let go and move on and make an investment in a newer more reliable vehicle. That is where the 2005 Dodge Dakota club cab enters the story. I had established a credit rating once out by getting a couple credit cards and using them and then paying them off on time. By doing so I was eligible to get a car loan and purchase the pick-up on my own. I stress ON MY OWN.<br />
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Going back to the reason for this story I had to notify the PA State Police and...as usual the treatment was on the fringe of courteous and it took 45 minutes for them to do five minutes worth of paperwork all the while with me parked on a hard wooden bench in a lobby in front of a huge glass window. While there another guy came in and said last time he was there to update his registration it took three hours.<br />
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I understand the need to keep records, but it nothing changes what is the purpose to have people show up in person for each change when such a thing can be handled easily via mail or Internet? Oh, I know, they need to practice with their little digital camera. But it is done. Hopefully WHEN my Pardon is signed this will all be a thing of the past.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUzN-gwngPGc9dwKWBoEPmqgcBqLJf4Wcv0iFvIK3iA86D1CvPb6qcz6vVa-aw6RuuuMOjhyN9gQ6ZvyEgpe739t_vt76tFEOpKjyjGaKk8hwspd9NGuTv9pTT5EGX6nV64x4JQ7r_YFA/s1600/Jay'sTruck+(4).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUzN-gwngPGc9dwKWBoEPmqgcBqLJf4Wcv0iFvIK3iA86D1CvPb6qcz6vVa-aw6RuuuMOjhyN9gQ6ZvyEgpe739t_vt76tFEOpKjyjGaKk8hwspd9NGuTv9pTT5EGX6nV64x4JQ7r_YFA/s320/Jay'sTruck+(4).JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZcwkwGNq2t6BtjuAcjiYYYF-KXldj7DIRaafk2Vy6KKEDv8P8FxKFIwik_P1OAFjp4n5Uzi0Y_rq7jx5EL4B9cp03yHVWLlyig78UZnCDQqeOehn2cJ1_U-pp8EnQHsAl8xWViQGH1ao/s1600/BridgeJuly42011+(5).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZcwkwGNq2t6BtjuAcjiYYYF-KXldj7DIRaafk2Vy6KKEDv8P8FxKFIwik_P1OAFjp4n5Uzi0Y_rq7jx5EL4B9cp03yHVWLlyig78UZnCDQqeOehn2cJ1_U-pp8EnQHsAl8xWViQGH1ao/s320/BridgeJuly42011+(5).JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: left;">One final note: The pictures above are of a garden bridge I build last summer. The flags were for the 4th of July. Under it is one of my brother Jay's old trucks from when he was a kid and I dug it up when putting the bridge in. This kind of makes this a piece of real estate to remember my brother. Further, the last thing I remember my brother saying to me was, "At least we got the Blazer running." Today a set of keys for the Blazer rests with the truck under the bridge. I can wait for spring and all the plants around the bridge to grow in.</div>Steve Gordonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14046161941567443439noreply@blogger.com0