Jobs are NOT the solution (Reentry Assessment)

Ex-offender reentry is a vital part of public safety. Over 95% of individuals that are incarcerated will be returning to society. Since that is the case, society must make provisions for that. Many organizations feel that job placement is the answer. They spend the bulk of their resources and time on job development, job readiness and job placement. When they give their statistics, the most important one is the number of participants that are employed. That is the wrong approach.

People that commit crimes generally received “home training” and they know right from wrong. So that is not the issue. Although they have received “home training”, something in them made them feel it was okay to go against what they had been taught. What would make a person go against their morals and ideals that were instilled in them from an early age- in most cases? That should be our focus.

Generally, they commit crimes because of a sense of entitlement. Entitlement makes it seem reasonable to use force to take someone else’s possessions, or to use deception to acquire goods or services. They feel the world owes them something.

People with this mentality should not be given jobs or assistance with job placement simply because they have a felony conviction. There is a price that needs to be paid. There must be some form of sacrifice to justify the assistance they receive. Life Skills, communication, anger management, etiquette, diction and other classes should be part of a comprehensive reentry plan. Job placement should only be an option AFTER the client has successful completed the designated programs. This instills a sense of value and responsibility in an individual that has usually shunned those ideals for many years.

Scholars have different opinions as to why people commit crime and continue to go to prison. Some say it is because there was no father figure in the home. Others attribute it to a lack of home training. While others say these actions stem from a flaw in a person’s character. Although these factors may play a role in the equation, those factors only play a limited role. The major factor is the decision making process of the individual.

Many times when an ex-offender is making a plea for equality, they will use the phrase, “I made a mistake”. I take exception to that because that removes the responsibility from the individual and places it on circumstance. Mistakes generally are beyond our control and we tend to learn from them and correct that behavior. But if a person continues the same or similar behavior, that is no longer a mistake. This person makes bad decisions. After that realization, he can now be trained on how to make better decisions.

When mistakes are made, consequences are never considered. When decisions are made, consequences are considered. So if an ex-offender decides to become a productive citizen, he can now be equipped with good decision making tools and methods to break the cycle of making bad decisions, thus changing his outlook on life. He can now develop a sense of self-worth and purpose.

Reentry programs MUST give their clients hope. That hope begins with a self assessment and a realization that “my circumstances are my fault”. No one else is to blame. After responsibility has been accepted, the next step is the building of a foundation that takes into account that individual’s past and present environments and moral instruction. This is only the beginning. This individual is NOT ready to enter into the workforce.

A common misconception is that a job will solve a criminal’s problems and make him end his life of crime. That notion is incorrect because most jobs will not pay what the individual was making in his illegal endeavors. So why would that be incentive enough to give up the past life?

We don’t want the job for the money. Again, more money can be made illegally. But that money comes with risks and it is not guaranteed. The job gives me stability and consistency. Now I can plan and prepare a budget and not risk my life for money. The job gives me a sense of responsibility because now I will be able to meet my obligations. I now value the money that I make because I earned it honestly.


To get a person to this realization takes time. This is not something that will be embraced after a job readiness session. Coping mechanisms need to be taught because $500 a week only can go so far. How does the individual deal with the dreams of the past- when money was not an issue because there was plenty of it around? How does the individual deal with not being able to spend with no regard for the bills that need to be paid. Now he has to budget. A job does not answer those issues.

Conflict in the criminal world is seldom resolved with kind, civilized words. How does this individual handle being chastised by his supervisor? Where did he learn how to communicate without raising his voice or using profanity? Putting this individual to work only sets him up to fail.

Is Work a Right?

Why do people feel that having a job is a right, as if they are entitled to work? A job is a privilege and it has to be earned. People expect us to put them to work, but they don't want to go through the classes we have to offer. Men haven't worked in 3 years can't give us 8 weeks... hmmm. Do they really wanna work?

Our phone rings constantly, and the person calling asks, "Can you get me a job". First of all, we don't know who the person is. Responsible people would never set someone up for failure. That's what we would be doing if we simply sent men and women out to work without, first, getting to know them and instilling our programs values into them.

So many people say they want work, but they are not ready for work. They lack the basic skills that employers are looking for. That is why the job searches are always unfruitful. Our job is to train men and women in the areas that employers look for. We don't have a magic formula, but we do know what employers want.

We MUST be able to vouch for anyone that we send to an employer. That only comes with time. That is why our program is structured the way that it is. We have been very successful so we can not begin to stray from our core values.

I'm sure many men and women have hung up angry. But if they would give us a try, they would see that it is not hard. And the time will be over before you know it. Explain this logic: a woman hasn't had a job in 4 years. We tell her that if she completes our program, we will send her to an employer that works with us. She doesn't come. huh?

People don't really pay attention sometimes. If I have been unsuccessful in my job search for YEARS, why can't I give an organization 2 months in a situation where I won't even have to search anymore. The employer will be waiting for ME? STRANGE!

Ban the Box

Ban the Box is a national movement that removes the question, "Have you ever been convicted of a felony" from the employment application. Many people wonder why that is so significant. Opponents even argue that felons should not be allowed to obtain city jobs.

Removing the box from applications may seem small to the common man, but to those of us that have felony convictions, it is a tremendous sign of hope! I've often stated that, "Where there is no hope, the only thing that can be expected is failure". The removal of that box gives us HOPE! And that hope is motivation to go ever harder and perform even better and contribute to society.

Banning the box does not remove the criminal background check. That would be crazy. But it does move it farther down the line in the hiring process. As it stands right now, that box is the first method of dismissal for potential employers. The City of Memphis is taking a great leap in leading the city's private sector toward fair hiring practices to ensure that they have the most qualified workforce possible.

I hope that the private sector sees the benefit in giving men and women hope. Crime is at an all time high. We can reduce that with measures such as this. This shows men and women that have criminal background histories that everyone is not against them and that opportunities are available. Knowing that one has an option will spur him/her to fight on and not give up. Prison, then, becomes a deterrent and is no longer an option.

I applaud the Memphis City Council, led by Chairman Harold Collins and Janis Fullilove, for taking the initiative to make Memphis a city of choice.

I know there are many questions. Please feel free to ask and I will do my best to provide an answer.

Are There Bad People in our World?

Are There Bad People?

What determines who a person is? We say that you can tell a tree by the fruit that it bears. So that means that bad trees will bear bad fruit. We believe that one’s character is defined by one’s actions. Actions come from thoughts. Then, one that has bad thoughts and acts on them has bad actions. Those bad actions, in turn, would make him a bad person- if our previous thought holds true.

We know that statement is incorrect. Good people have bad thoughts and they act on them. Yet, we don’t call them bad people. We excuse the action and say they made a mistake. So are there any bad people in our world then? And if there are, can they be converted from bad to good?

In our society, ex-offenders are seen as bad people. Their bad actions are not viewed as mistakes. The evidence is found in the fact that criminal background checks are becoming the norm. Employers have blanket policies that state that they will not hire anyone that has been convicted of a felony at any time in his life. Public housing agencies have the same policy. Even some privately owned complexes ask about a person’s criminal history. Local, state and the federal government also use felony convictions as a method of disqualification of otherwise qualified candidates for employment. The negative stigma that is associated with a felony record is one that is virtually impossible to overcome.

It appears that a felony conviction makes a person bad. Society says that they can’t be redeemed. Once bad, always bad. Otherwise, there would not be so many restrictions placed to keep ex-offenders out of society. Ex-offenders live among non-offenders daily. They are your neighbors and, in some cases, your co-workers. You attend church with them. They serve you at your favorite restaurant. They are your friend. In most cases, you would never know they had a record if they hadn’t revealed it to you. And once the revelation is made, you never see them the same again. You begin to expect them to do things that are illegal or immoral. You begin to look for their faults. You stop trusting them and begin to analyze their every action. Is that fair?

What separates an ex-offender or convicted felon from the average citizen? The convicted felon has a documented record of wrongdoing, while the average citizen just didn’t get caught. Their actions are the same, but getting caught makes one worse than the one that got away.

The original question was, “Are there any bad people (in our world)?” It appears to me that the answer would be “no”, but our perception tells us that is not the case. Fear of the unknown and media hype has made the label of ex-offender worse than the Scarlet letter. A criminal record follows a person for the remainder of his life and it is a roadblock that can’t be removed. The simple fact that a person was caught breaking the law makes them a bad person- FOREVER. Rehabilitation is possible for sex addicts, drug addicts and those addicted to gambling. Employers will even allow an employer with an addiction a chance to get help and remain employed. But society doesn’t believe that a criminal can be reformed. Society doesn’t have any faith in the prison system as it relates to its ability to correct a person’s actions. That theory will not stand against scrutiny, but no one will stand and cry out against this travesty and grave injustice.

Prisons are necessary and there are individuals that need to be separated from society because they refuse to follow the rules and law of the land. There are people that choose to rebel and they have no respect for life or freedom. They need to be locked away. But the majority of ex-offenders are not in the previous category. Most ex-offenders eventually learn their lesson and have a sincere desire to change their negative behavior into productive behavior. The problem is society doesn’t separate these two distinct groups. The only thing these two groups have in common is the fact that they both were found guilty of breaking the law. The latter will never do it again, while the former uses his time in prison to hone his skill to come out an be a better criminal. And we have a place for him.

If we are ever to become a successful society and reduce crime, we must see the importance of re-entry. It is vital that we grasp the concept that all people have the capacity to be reformed. We must allow them a chance to prove themselves. If they have followed the prescribed method of repayment to society and completed whatever sanctions that were levied against them, they MUST have a chance to provide for themselves and their families. They MUST have the ability to obtain housing. They MUST be able to be seen as humans that bleed, breath and live just like those that have never broken the law.

I never knew that breaking the law would make me forfeit my ability to be a human. Animals have more rights that convicted felons. This should not be so. There is no such thing as a bad person. But there are people that refuse to be obedient.

What is the purpose of prison?

What is the purpose of prison? In today's society, there is a tremendous amount of emphasis placed on one's criminal background. In order to find employment, one must submit to a criminal background check. The same is true for obtaining public housing and other aspects of life, such as certain career paths. And the negative stimga that is attached to having a criminal background makes it virtually impossible for one without a large number of resources to re-enter society.

The Encyclopedia Britannica states, "There are a number of accepted reasons for the use of  imprisonment. One approach aims to deter those who would otherwise commit crimes (general deterrence) and to make it less likely that those who serve prison sentences will commit crimes after their release (individual deterrence). A second approach focuses on issuing punishment to or obtaining retribution from, those who have committed serious crimes. A third approach encourages the personal reform of those who are sent to prison. Finally, in some cases it is necessary to protect the public from those who commit crimes- particularly from those who do so persistently. The increasing importance of the notion of reform has led some prison systems to be called correctional institutions."

So what happens when prison works? What is the next step when prison is successful in deterring, punishing and reforming an individual? The criminal background check removes the posibility of re-entry in most cases. Released individuals are then left to beat the pavement and attempt to look for employment in places that use the criminal background check as their first form of removal for potential employees. Society doesn't realize that it is easy for ex-offenders to go back to the lifestyle that led them to prison and that they do not want to go back to. The background check is becoming more punishment than the prison sentence itself.

What is the solution? We can reduce crime in our communities if we open some doors and allow individuals that used the time in prison wisely and are ready and willing to contribute to society the ability to enter the workforce and find decent housing. If we begin to see people as humans and not as monsters that only want to destroy the world, we will not throw people away. When our children need to eat, or when child support is due, or when I need  shoes because the rain is coming through the hole in the sole of my only pair, what do I do when I can not find someone that will allow me the chance to prove myself? Until we figure this out, crime will continue to rise and we will have more victims. Is it right? Of course not! But it is reality.

Out4Life

Reentry of ex-offenders is crucial to the reduction of crime and the advancement of public safety. That is why the Out4Life movement is so important to our society. Groups from various backgrounds are focusing their efforts collectively towards a common issue with a common goal, with a common expectation of success. This country has never seen such a moment since the Civil Rights movement. Secular, faith-based, governmental agencies, and common people with a heart for men and women are coming together to equip individuals with felony convictions with the tools necessary and with the opportunities to reenter society with a POSITIVE impact on their communities.

The Tennessee Out4Life conference was a HUGE success. We had 286 participants from all over the state. We even had representation from Michigan, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Lousiana- just to name a few. I would like to thank God for the direction and Prison Fellowship for receiving the vision and leading us in this charge to impact lives.

The break-out sessions were relevant and well organized. The presenters were prepared and informed. The class sizes were managable. The participants were receptive and engaging. The leadership was on one accord- in the public's view.There were no major glitches. And I believe this conference will be a model for the Out4Life conferences that follow all over the country. Great job Aimee, Larry, Ed, Jean, David, Arleen, Mary, Bruce, Greg and all of the volunteers and service providers. I am glad and proud to say that I was a part.

Moving forward, we must be sure to not lose the momentum that Out4Life has begun. Information was shared. Ideas were exchanged. Visions and plans were enhanced. Relationships were formed and fostered.Coalitions were established and others were strenghten in numbers and mission. I pray that individuals were stirred up to fight even harder. We are on our way. Memphis Transformation Network- LET'S CHANGE THE WORLD!

If Not You, Then Who?

When it comes to ex-offenders re-offending, the question is always asked, "Why don't they just get a job at the local grocery store or at McDonald's?". The answer is simple. The local grocery store and McDonald's both conduct criminal background checks and the do not hire convicted felons. So if that is the case, what is the ex-offender to do?

It is so easy to lay all of the blame on the one that "has a past". "It's his own fault." "She shouldn't have broken the law." " They made their bed, now that must lay in it." These are common sentiments as it relates to ex-offenders and the struggles they face on a daily basis. So many people live in the past and hold past transgressions over others' heads. Where does it stop?

I'll pose this question to you, if you were in the business of hiring, would you hire an ex-offender? If your answer is, NO, then you are part of the problem. Why do I say that, you may ask. It is because so many times we choose to ignore the fact that we hinder others with our prejudices and stereotypes, and then turn around and blame the one we are hindering, as if we have no part in the matter. So the next time you consider why crime is so high and why the rate of recidivism is through the roof, ask yourself what role you have in that.

Men and women need a chance. If not you, then who?