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Jason Stoker of Hargrove Fence Co. holds a fence as foreman George Webb clips it to a wire. Greg Ebersole / The Daily News

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State invests in finding freed felons jobs, second chances

Tuesday, August 12, 2008 11:31 PM PDT

By Leslie Slape

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Jim Hargrove of Hargrove Fence Co. took a risk and it paid off. Nearly a year ago, he hired Jason Stoker, 27, on the recommendation of Stoker's counselor at the state Department of Corrections.

Stoker, who used to have a drug problem, will come off DOC supervision later this month.

"I put him to work and he's doing a great job," Hargrove said. "He's been given the opportunity, and he's doing great things with it. ... He's one of the most loyal employees I've got."

Linda Barber, who owns several apartment complexes around the area, has also taken successful risks with former felons.

"Some people really need a chance," she said. "We're willing to work with people who are really trying and who want to do something with their lives."

She will rent to DOC clients if they meet with her approval — and she said some of them have become her best tenants.

Officers with the state DOC who manage new programs aimed at reducing recidivism hope more employers and landlords are willing to take the same risk.

"In order for re-entry to work, it will take a community effort," Chad Lewis, communications team leader with the DOC, said in a recent interview. "We can provide them with job skills, we can get them off meth, but we need the community's help in getting them places to live and hiring offenders."

Washington has 18,000 offenders in its 15 prisons and 28,000 in community supervision, Lewis said. Of the 28,000, 1,200 are in Cowlitz County.

Ninety percent of inmates will eventually be released into society and nearly 40 percent will commit another crime within five years, he said.

Stefani Meusborn-Marsh, in charge of community corrections officers in Southwest Washington, said the crime rate could drop by 50 percent "if we could wipe meth out."

In 2007, the Legislature approved Gov. Chris Gregoire's request for $25 million for the 2007-09 biennium to expand offender programs under the Re-Entry Initiative. The DOC is using the money to enhance core programs including employment assistance, continued education, chemical dependency treatment classes, counseling and other services proven to reduce the likelihood of re-offense.

"You have to ask, how do you make it less likely an offender will commit a new crime?" Lewis said. "You help them beat chemical dependency, you help them earn a GED, you help them learn job skills. ... It's more work for corrections officers but we hope to save taxpayer dollars. It's an upfront investment."

He said the DOC doesn't want to have to ask taxpayers for money to build more prisons.

"Schools are always looking for more money," he said. "We would like to have to ask for less money - and we can, if there's less crime."

The re-entry programs are offered in prisons and to offenders on DOC supervision, said Meusborn-Marsh. Programs offered in Southwest Washington include the GED (featured in The Daily News Feb. 25); Civigenics, a drug/alcohol treatment program; and the behavior management programs Thinking for a Change and Moral Recantation Therapy. Work Release facilities around the state are being converted to re-entry centers, she said.

Stoker, the fence worker, said he has put his past behind him thanks to the DOC. He is engaged to be married, has a new baby and an older child.

"If they give you a program like classes and stuff to do, follow the rules," he said. "It makes sense. Do what you're supposed to do."

He's grateful to Hargrove for the opportunity to prove he has reformed.

"For someone who's made a couple of mistakes, it's great to have someone give you a chance like this," Stoker said.

Hargrove hired Stoker after a face-to-face interview. "Asking questions on paper really doesn't do much," he said. He judged Stoker's character both on the counselor's assessment and his personal feelings after looking the man in the eye.

Hargrove started him on a one-month trial period, in part because Stoker had never done the work before. He learned so fast that he's ready to be lead man on a job, Hargrove said.

"You take a risk and you've got to have the patience," because DOC clients have obligations that can cut into work time, he said. "But the rewards are great. I've given him lots of responsibility and he's never let me down."

His trust is so solid he's selling his house to Stoker, he said.

Although Stoker has a place to live, many ex-felons have difficulty finding a good home away from bad influences.

That's where property owners like Barber come in.

She said the DOC works closely with her and provides background on potential renters.

"Without them I don't think we would rent to any," she said.

Like Hargrove, she does a personal interview.

It doesn't always work out. She's had to evict renters who don't obey the rules, but there have been success stories, including an ex-felon whom Barber considers one of her best tenants.

"He's a nice guy," she said. "He's always been upfront. He keeps his apartment clean. He works a steady job. It's been very, very good."

She also rents to a young ex-felon who's a single father. Barber said she watches him with his son, and she likes what she sees.

"He's absolutely fabulous with him," she said. "And he keeps the place immaculate. We're really pleased with him as a tenant."

Mrs. Pellwerds wrote on Aug 13, 2008 8:38 AM:

" Which felonies do I have to commit to qualify for a job? "

reasonable1 wrote on Aug 13, 2008 9:03 AM:

" You want to qualify for a job? Show up. Respect your employer and co-workers. Tell the truth. I found that employees I hired through DOC were the most dependable, because they needed work to stay on the right side of the law, and too few people were willing to take a chance on them. They were grateful that we did, and never once let us down. Couldn't say that about some of the 'clean-cut' college-educated workers, though. They robbed us blind. "

just_me wrote on Aug 13, 2008 9:11 AM:

" I really don't see why the state is spending money on giving felons a second chance when there are many other organizations/worthy causes that need the money more. I understand that they want a second chance, but that's just it. It's their second chance. Let the people who never lost their intitial chance get the money they need before these felons do. An example of this: an earlier article mentioned that CASA is running low on funding. I feel that putting more money into programs like CASA would do the community and state a lot more good, instead of giving it to people who obviously didn't want to do right their first time around. Maybe it's just me being me, but it bothers me when GOOD programs are struggling, yet there is $25 million being spent on felons! "

funnyone wrote on Aug 13, 2008 9:30 AM:

" I think the best thing is giving felons a chance to change their lives, Jobs for most of them are a big step in returning to be normal productive citizens. You eliminate them from being able to work, you repeat a cycle with them, more drugs, more thefts, etc because that is the only way they can get by. They get in a circle they cant get out of unless they are given that second chance. Get more of them on the straight and narrow there will be less people in the community that need services such as CASA. etc. "

DUH wrote on Aug 13, 2008 9:36 AM:

" Yeah yeah, lets cut this program and let the felons parole out to just_me's house. Then we will see how fast you have a change of heart. This program give them the opportunity to become productive members of society but, it's because of people that think like you that won't give them the chance that a lot of them re-offend. Society wants something to be done but society don't to be a part of what needs to be done. "

Adolph Oliver-Bush wrote on Aug 13, 2008 9:45 AM:

" We have veterans living under bridges with no healthcare. I think we need to straighten out our priorities.... "

Common Sense wrote on Aug 13, 2008 9:53 AM:

" To just_me: That is a good point and I'm sure you're not the only one that feels this way. The reasoning behind spending the 25 million is to get ahead of the HUGE costs associated with continually throwing the same people in and out of jail and prisons. The costs include court fees, social services provided to their families in the form of welfare and medical, as well as hospital and emergency room charges. These costs keep going up every single year due to the fact that our recidivism rate (rate at which somebody re-offends and returns to jail or prison) hasn't been adequately addressed. Studies and research have shown that the most effective means in reducing recidivism is providing job skill, transitional housing, and most importantly, treatment for chemical dependence. This savings will definitely allow for more money to be spent on fantastic programs like CASA as well as better roads, more parks, etc. Until we attempt to step in front of the problem locally, we too will continually see rising costs in jail expenditures, social services, hospital fees, and court proceedings that are covered by your tax dollars. Without the support of the community to extend services to these individuals in need, we will continually wallow in economic crisis by cutting our noses off in spite of our face. Furthering availability for drug treatment, transitional housing, and vocational services are means to an end for everyone involved.
~Common Sense "

Silly Billy wrote on Aug 13, 2008 9:54 AM:

" just_me: So if I read you correctly and understand your way of thinking, you want to just give up on these individuals and let them float through day to day life and eventually commit more crimes because no one bothers to give a rats piss about them? Let's wait until you make a poor decision (or have you never made a poor one?) and see if you'd like a second chance and a little help on picking yourself back up. The program only helps the individual that wants to improve themselves. The program cannot make the decision for the person, they have to want to change themselves. And I personally think that your 'greedy don't wanna help anyone out' frame of mind is absurd. Maybe it's "just-me" but I think you need to change your way of thinking. "

Adolph Oliver-Bush wrote on Aug 13, 2008 10:00 AM:

" Although these people may have paid their debt to society, they are still felons. There is no such thing as a "former felon". Once a felon, always a felon...They cannot vote and they cannot possess a firearm. They are still felons..... "

Corleone wrote on Aug 13, 2008 10:00 AM:

" At least "funnyone" isn't a complete close-minded, ignorant person. He/she's right. You eliminate them from being able to work, the cycle repeats. And it's a shame, that almost all employers are quick to deny an application that as a mark checked in to the "have you ever been convicted of a felony" box. And it's also a HUGE shame that... thanks to our justice system... ALL felons are put into the same group as pieces of CRAP. It's a shame that I'm a felon because of marijuana. I've never stole, never been violent, never did drugs (besides marijuana, but that's a whole different arguement), and had a previously clean record up until my conviction. Yes, I committed a crime, and did my time, but now it's pretty messed up that for the next 7-10 years I'm going to be classified as a meth-smoking, violent, raping, murdering, theif. Yes, I made a mistake, and I paid for it, with my time, and with my money. I shouldn't have to be discriminated until I'm 30 years old. You all might as well put african americans back to the back of the bus. And don't get me wrong, I despise meth and other hard drugs, I despise stealing, and understand that most felons are worthless pieces of crap, but not all of them. "

Rural Citizen wrote on Aug 13, 2008 10:11 AM:

" I am all for re training and integrating "freed felons" as long as they have "paid their debt to society", and to their victims FIRST. This should be a prerequisite to prove they know what responsibility is.

Other programs for non offenders of every stripe should come first on the budget and this should be last.

Also? Ask yourself this: Do YOU want a "freed felon" building YOUR fence, which is part of your "security" system?

I don't want them near my house. I am being truthful. Isn't there something they can do without sending them into our neighborhoods to case the place? "

bmoc wrote on Aug 13, 2008 10:15 AM:

" coleone - you are not a felon, you are a victim. sorry 'bout your situation. hope you get a little piece of that green stuff every now and then to ease your mind. "

DUH wrote on Aug 13, 2008 10:30 AM:

" Adolph Oliver-Bush doesn't know what he's talking about. felons rights are restored upon completion of their sentence and have been released from parole or probation. In order to get gun rights back they must take the required steps but they can get those rights back too depending on the severity of their offense. "

scratch007 wrote on Aug 13, 2008 11:30 AM:

" How ironic... Felons putting up fences. "

berryjewels wrote on Aug 13, 2008 11:36 AM:

" Giving second chances does work. I have a friend who got in trouble 23 years ago and hew as given the opportunity to prove himself. He has not been in trouble since he got out and now has three children who do very will in school. One of them is actually grown and married and doing well herself. I know this because I have been there for him, I married him and just because some people make mistakes when they were younger don't mean they want to continue that way the rest of their lives and some of them they do want to change. People like just-me seem to think that if we don't give them another chance that the money would go to other areas where it is needed, but does this person not realize that if we don't give them another chance that we will need even more money for these other areas, because more of the felons will be back in trouble with out the second chance? Doesn't seem to me that this person really cares and that is sad. I know that second chances do work for some of these people and they are people like the rest of us and some of them really do want to change! "

Silly Billy wrote on Aug 13, 2008 11:41 AM:

" Rural Citizen: There ya go.... putting all felons in the same classification and not wanting any of them near your house. Get a grip with yourself and come to realize you are not the almighty goody-too-shoo you think you may be. "

Adolph Oliver-Bush wrote on Aug 13, 2008 11:42 AM:

" Duh may be correct, but they will ALWAYS be felons... Period. It doesn't change just because you served your time. Right? I thought so... "

Silly Billy wrote on Aug 13, 2008 11:46 AM:

" And I agree with DUH... Adolph Oliver-Bush has their head up their but....It's not 'once a felon, always a felon.' If Adolph had an education and knew what he/she was tlaking about, they would know that if one's a felon you would work through a process to be not considered a felon. I can definitely tell Adolph is still pissed off at the guy that cut him off last week.

People hold grudges and that is completely wrong. Ever heard of forgiveness fellas? "

Michael B wrote on Aug 13, 2008 11:53 AM:

" Amazing the stereotypes of felons and the opinions people form without any knowledge of the subject at all. As one who works in corrections I say without reservation-

1) I'd rather have an ex-felon working and paying taxes than back in the system and being a drain on our society. As a taxpayer, it just makes economic sense.

2) Some people will change-some will not. This is a fact. But education (GED), vocation, and re-integration have been proven to make a difference. It's an investment not just in a "convict", but in our society...and it pays high dividends.

3) Most offenders spend 5 years or less in the prison system (per sentence). Then they're out on the street again. You see them every day. Chances are you've met some of them and don't even know it. They are people with a crime in their pasts--not stereotypes or television characters. "

Girth VonPhister wrote on Aug 13, 2008 12:07 PM:

" I agree with Adolph. A lot of people seem to be splitting hairs. If a pedophile gets treatment and no longer offends is he still a pedophile? Yes. If a felon does his time and doesn't re-offend is he still a felon? Yes. You can't change that no matter what semantics you throw at it. Webster defines felon as one who has committed a felony. You can't change the past just because you served your time. You will forever, by definition be a felon...Whether you can vote, carry a gun or whatever it doesn't change the fact that you committed a serious crime. "

Adolph Oliver-Bush wrote on Aug 13, 2008 12:50 PM:

" People are misinterpreting my position on this issue. I never inferred I was against rehabilitating these people. Or against giving them a second chance. I simply object to the term "former felon". Also I believe we have a finite number of tax dollars to support various programs and services in this country. That said, I believe a person who serves this country with honor and distinction should not have to beg for food, healthcare and shelter, while people who have committed serious crimes get the same or better services. If you people have a problem with this stand, I am sorry. It seems that perhaps the people I have made angry might be the ones benefiting from this program...Hmmmm. "

DUH wrote on Aug 13, 2008 1:19 PM:

" Hate to burst your little bubble there Adolph Oliver-Bush. I haven't benefited from this program. Your statement, "Once a felon, ALWAYS a felon" implies that once you have committed a crime, you will ALWAYS commit crimes. That is not true with ALL felons. I have known many people that have been convicted of felonies that have gone on to be productive and well respected members of society without the help of a program like this. What this does is give "ex-cons" a leg up. I understand what you are saying about the homeless vets living under bridges. There are programs and resources out there to help them too but, if they choose not to partake in them then thats their problem. "

Rural Citizen wrote on Aug 13, 2008 1:44 PM:

" I don't think this comment section should be used as a back and forth b.s. session between bored people. I comment on the STORY not on what the folks here have to say. So hold your idiocy with me guys. I don't care what you say to me. "

klb wrote on Aug 13, 2008 1:47 PM:

" Wonderful program and should be a prototype for other states to follow. We (all of us)deserve a second chance and to prove we are worthy of the opportunity we have been given. All of you negative folks need to cut these folks some slack. Thank you to the people who offer to give them jobs and a place to rent. I knew that before I even read the replies to this article, there would be a bunch of you who would find something wrong with this...you really are very predictable...we can't save the world but we can help someone find their way. Each of you who have a negative response should take one of those veterans in to your home so they don't have to live under a bridge, or give them a job or at least donate to a cause. Lord knows, Longview has plenty of folks that need help..no matter how they got to this place. "

lucky1 wrote on Aug 13, 2008 1:58 PM:

" I have tried working with programs like this before. The biggest problem that I see is that as soon as they are done with their monitoring or there probation they usually leave the area. So you spend all that time training and then they leave anyway. "

reasonable1 wrote on Aug 13, 2008 2:06 PM:

" Okay, so if 'once a felon, always a felon' is your truth, then if you 'stole' your brother's fishing rod as a child, are you 'always' a thief? If you told an untruth, are you 'always' a liar? Sure, some offenders are more dangerous, more likely to re-offend, but that doesn't mean they all are. Sticking a label on someone in order to marginalize them does no one any good. Many of the more successful rehab counselors have offended in the past. Does that mean they shouldn't be allowed to work? People do have the capacity to change. It's not as black-and-white as many would like it to be. "

mole wrote on Aug 13, 2008 2:28 PM:

" re;ADOLF OLIVER BUSH,ARE YOU OFF YOUR ROCKER.ONCE A FELON ALLWAYS A FELON!!!they can't vote or own a gun,I beg to differ,with that blanket statement.CORLEONE:How can you be classified,with those offenses,if you did not do them.YOU ARE ONLY CLASSIFIED FOR WHAT CRIMES YOU WERE ARRESTED FOR!!!Nobody discriminates,a pot felon!! stop feeling sorry for yourself.What 7-10 year pot charge?sounds like for that amount of time,It was more than a ounce of personal use.I WAS A "FELON" 30 DAYS,WORK RELEASE,3 YEARS PROBATION,[not parole]I've voted and hunted for 30+ years now.I could not hunt or vote until my probation period was over!!! "

Adolph Oliver-Bush wrote on Aug 13, 2008 2:28 PM:

" You didn't burst my bubble. I guess we'll have to agree to disagree. They will ALWAYS be felons. Period. If you think that implies they will always be criminals, you are wrong. But ten years from now, if they apply for a job and they are asked "have you ever been convicted of a felony?", they must answer in the affirmative. That's because they are felons. Plain and simple...Now go out and enjoy the nice weather. I am....... "

Kelso Guy wrote on Aug 13, 2008 2:36 PM:

" Thank you DUH,
I am a felon, I was convicted 15 years ago and served a 3-1/2 year sentence for delivery of marijuana. Since then I have completed a 4 year electrical engineering degree with honors at Wazzu, held 5 years of continuous employment at a global engineering firm, got all my rights back (except the right to own a firearm which I will be petitioning for soon) and will soon be taking my Professional Engineering test for the State of Washington. Now imagine that nobody would have given me a second chance: no job, no education, no chance. How would I survive? By being a burden on you "taxpayers" or turning to a life of crime. As far as living under a bridge, if I can dig out of my hole (without a special government program) then so can the vets who live under the bridge. And there is no reason they are hungry or homeless, there are programs to help them. "

DUH wrote on Aug 13, 2008 2:51 PM:

" Way to go Kelso Guy! Congratulations to you on your success. Keep up the good work and don't ever let the nay sayers get you down. "

just_me wrote on Aug 13, 2008 4:12 PM:

" I DO understand that the released felons need jobs, and I do understand that if they don't get those jobs, they will perhaps fall back into their old lifestyle. I didn't disgree with that at all. Also, I know that if they went out and applied for jobs, they would be at a disadvantage, but of all the applications I've seen, it says on there "A felony does not automatically disqualify you for this position". It's not as though they CAN'T get a job, they can. They should go in like everyone else, look professional for the interview, and hopefully the employer can see how they have presented themselves and offer them a job. So, NO I am not saying we give up on these people. If they want a normal life, they should be treated normally and have to go interview for jobs just like all of the non-felons should. "

just_me wrote on Aug 13, 2008 4:20 PM:

" To Corleone: I am not arguing with you at all, I just have a question. When/if you have gone into job interviews after the conviction, and you explain that it was (only) marijuana that caused you to be classified as a felon, were they more relaxed knowing that? I ask because personally, when I think of a "felony", marijuana doesn't come to mind. And if I were an employer and the individual explained the situation to me (like I said above, most companies have a "a felony does not automatically disqualify you from the position" statement) and it was because of marijuana use that landed them the classification of felon, and if they were actually fit for the job, I don't see why I shouldn't hire them. That is why I don't believe my first statement meant "giving up on the felons", because they CAN still get jobs if they present themselves appropriately. "

moorejl wrote on Aug 13, 2008 4:40 PM:

" maybe all these people snivlling about a fellon getting a job should get off the p.c and go get one or would that cut into there self centered all about me alone time ? "

Leslie Slape wrote on Aug 13, 2008 4:52 PM:

" Regarding marijuana being a felony: The law classifies possession of more than 40 grams as a felony (unless you can prove it's for your personal medical use). Selling marijuana is also a felony. In the 1960s possession of even a small amount would land you in prison, but Corleone isn't old enough to have been arrested then. "

sentinel wrote on Aug 13, 2008 6:19 PM:

" I'm all for letting convicted felons have the opportunity to earn an honest living and hopefully avoid returning to a life of crime, but what bugs me is the official offer of help and support to convicted felons when many hardworking law abiding citizens are out of work themselves. I know, how about we deport every illegal alien and allow the convicted felons to take all the jobs they vacate. "

TDN Bad Boy wrote on Aug 13, 2008 10:54 PM:

" Very interesting issue. I am all for people getting only a second chance. Screw that up and well I don't see any redeeming value in spending money on you. On this issue, I do think that customers have a right to know who/what is coming on their property. And I think it is their right to refuse business based on that information. Just like a business has the right to turn someone down for bad credit. So I think it would be wise for this business owner to make it clear about the background of his workers. Cause I guarantee you, I will hold any business responsible for anything that might happen to my property if they use people with questionable backgrounds. If they tell and I say OK, then I think the I share the responsibility. But if I don't know and later I am robbed by someone who was an employee with a criminal history of a business I hired to roof my house, paint it, or do landscaping, etc, you can bet they will be held responsible. They made a choice and it was a bad one. At least I am honest about. I wonder how many people who have used this business in the past will now look at something that might have happened since to their property or possessions and wonder about it. I know I would. "

hellopeople wrote on Aug 13, 2008 10:57 PM:

" Some of you may not realize how easy it is to get a felony in this state. My husband accepted a money order that when he went to cash it found out it was stolen. Since he had signed his name to it they charged him with a felony! Even though he had done nothing wrong. So you may want to think about how doing something like cashing a check can turn your life into a nightmare. He now has problems obtaining employment and it effects our family. This is a good program for people who will use the help wisely. But I agree that it is alot of money that could be used else where. Why don't we all ask our government to lower there salary to help out our people! "

TDN Bad Boy wrote on Aug 13, 2008 10:58 PM:

" Sentinel, most felons are felons because they didn't want to work for a living. The jobs the illegals are taking were there for most of these people but they chose a life a crime. They wanted the easy road. Rob, steal, lie, or cheat. Their life wasn't about being a good citizen, working hard, being a part of society. I am all for giving the lesser felons a second chance but please don't make it sound like they are more deserving than the illegals. They are in the same boat as far as I am concerned. "

Piper wrote on Aug 13, 2008 11:13 PM:

" Actually, in the state of Idaho, many people get their felonies reduced to misdemeanors after they serve their sentence and parole successfully. But then when you are making people felons when they shoplift a candy bar (because it fits the statute for burglary), you have to have someone qualified to vote and work. besides, if they can't get a job, they can't pay their fines and restitution. "

rastor wrote on Aug 14, 2008 9:53 AM:

" Getting people a "taxpaying" job will always be better than sticking them in a "taxpayer" jail cell. Training, educating, and getting criminals to change their ways is what rehabilitation is all about. The only way to keep them on that path is to create a way for them to get jobs, and to stay employed. "

jrjjjburley wrote on Aug 14, 2008 10:16 AM:

" adulph oliver-bush, nice screen name, named after a bunch of dictators. i was a convicted felon back in 2001, i did my 3 years and now i own my own fabrication shop in kelso. IN YOUR FACE "

bert wrote on Aug 14, 2008 10:26 AM:

" So what is the difference between a person who has committed a felony and been convicted and a person who has committed a felony and been judges not guilty? Usually it is money and power. Just look at OJ and Robert Blake. Look at Bill Clinton who is guilty of perjuey to Congress and where that got him. So the message is very clear, Don't do the crime if you can't do the time, unless you have money and power. "

skeezix wrote on Aug 14, 2008 2:36 PM:

" Adolph...

Who needs to straighten out priorities? If there are veterans living under bridges, why are they not out seeking the jobs that are available? No healthcare? Once again, they do have access to healthcare through the VA system. Your argument doesn't hold much water. And to others commenting here: Why is it that it seems you all believe if your last name isn't Smith, that you're an illegal? "

viper wrote on Aug 20, 2008 1:17 PM:

" well if our goverment would quit giving all of our money and jobs to forigian countries and try investing in our own country things would be better, but for some reason we have to send all our money to a country that hates us, to try to buy there friendship I think this program is a good thing to benifit us in the future. to bad our goverment can't invest in our own country Viper "

viper wrote on Aug 20, 2008 1:46 PM:

" the choice seems real clear we either provide this service to those who want the help or realize that if they can't find work they will go back to making meth and selling drugs to our kids ? Hmmm or shooting you during a holdup lets see I vote for the rehabilation and finding them work we already have enough people makeing meth and selling drugs at our schools I really don't think we have a shortage of drugs in our community and need more people making them :Viper "

Educated wrote on Aug 22, 2008 2:30 PM:

" I love when people like to pitch in their "two cents" when they know nothing about the topic.

As an educated and successful Recruiter - in regard to the application and checking the statement about committing a felony, you only have to check that box if the nature of the felony is applicable to the duties of the job. And for those ignorant few who think that applicants can check that box and hiring managers actually look past that and offer applicants an interview to explain your case, well that's just pure ignorance. If they have an applicant whose experience is comparable that doesn't have that box checked - who do you think they're going to offer an interview to? DUH "

ratkins wrote on Aug 27, 2008 9:20 AM:

" I can see how spending money on felons can seem unfair to those of us who are not felons and need help; however, if we dont help them they cannot become productive citizens and will end up costing the taxpayers more money in the end. It is too common for offenders to re-offend because they cannot get a job and then end up doing what they know which is illegal activities just to "get by". "

Harleygrl wrote on Aug 28, 2008 4:20 PM:

" I always check "no" on the box and no one is ever the wiser. So far so good. "

Harleygrl wrote on Aug 28, 2008 4:23 PM:

" Yes it's true why your own President of the United States was arrested in college for drunk driving and look at him now, orchestrating wars in other countries, stealing public elections and getting the finest young men and women this country has ever seen killed and maimed to line the already-thick pockets of old rich white men just like himself. "

bluE wrote on Aug 31, 2008 4:12 AM:

" The state should invest in clearing the "felon" tag from "freed" felons names when they are convicted of PETTY "felonies" or by default after a given amount of time.

To label a person like this is savage facist, and downright uncivilized in this modern day evolved society.

And yes I am aware a person can go in and ask a judge to clear their name, that leads me to something else; It seems to me that the system doesn't like to let go of people once it has a hold.... and I have my own guesses why. "

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