The stigma of a record persists, affecting the employment prospects of individuals for many years, regardless of whether the offense was minor or the person had never been convicted at all.Ĭalifornia and local entities are taking steps to mitigate the stigma of prior convictions. This study also found that the negative effect of a criminal record was substantially larger for African-American applicants. Department of Justice found that a criminal record reduced the likelihood of a callback or job offer by nearly 50 percent. The stigma associated with a conviction has a lasting, detrimental impact on employment opportunities. So when the school district’s job application asked about prior convictions, Walter answered, “No.” When a background check surfaced his old conviction, that mistake cost Walter the job. He believed that it had been “expunged” and removed from his conviction record entirely. Walter went to a “clean slate” organization, where they helped him reduce the conviction to a misdemeanor. But he still worried that the old conviction could cause problems. Since the conviction, he had worked steadily, cared for his mother, and was active in his church, including singing in the choir.

In addition, the part-time position would allow him to care for his elderly mother.Īt the beginning of his job search, Walter was concerned that a nearly twenty-year-old drug offense conviction would be an obstacle to finding employment. With years of experience as a custodian and maintenance person, he was well qualified.

Looking for a new job, Walter Killian applied for a substitute custodian position with West Contra County Unified School District.

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