The laws need to be changed on a Federal level for better employment opportunities for individuals with criminal records. I am not speaking of murderers or other individuals with an extremely serious offense. I am speaking of individuals who made some bad judment calls and and have served their time. Many, if not all of these individuals want to start over but are not given the chance due to the restraints employers place on their hiring practices. Of course, a bank would not want to hire someone that was arrested and served time for theft but that individual should have the opportunity to find employment in a different field. If these individuals are not given a chance to show society they are ready to lead a new life free of crime by securing a job and supporting themselves and sometimes a family how does society expect them to succeed. Many of them get discouraged and return to a life of crime. Is that what we really want? What happened to SECOND CHANCES in life? The government needs to step up to the plate and take some of the responsibility to help these idividuals start a new life. This means less restrictions of hiring practices. We are suppose to be a forgiving nation and people. Isn't that any type of religion teaches? To these businesses that don't want to take a chance on someone who wants to turn their life around you need to ask yourself how you would feel if you personally knew someone going through this ordeal or if you had to endure the constant "NO's" these individuals receive when applying for jobs. Let's help those who need our help and get the word out.
