I am an ex-felon, striving to rebuild my life post-incarceration. The societal expectation is that ex-offenders become productive members of society again post-release, an expectation I am committed to fulfill. But, the path is laden with unnecessary obstacles that undermine this agenda of societal reintegration, including one glaring inconsistency; the felony query in job applications. Even our President, who has a felony record, does not have to deal with such an issue. So why should candidates for other work positions be expected to?

In the U.S alone, approximately 19.6 million citizens have felony convictions. That's almost 8% of the population. Unemployment among this significant demographic is five times higher than that of the general population, largely because of discrimination during hiring processes. About 60-75% of ex-offenders remain jobless up to a year after release, significantly increasing the risk of recidivism. As per the National Institute of Justice, two-thirds of released state prisoners are re-arrested within three years - a cycle that can be broken by gainful employment.

The question on past criminal history does little more than stigmatize individuals who have already paid their societal debts and now seek to be productive again. It hampers the recovery process, making reintegration even more difficult.

It is time we reconsider how we approach the rehabilitation and societal re-assimilation of ex-offenders. By eliminating the felonious history query on employment applications, we can make a significant step towards reducing recidivism rates and promoting a society of second chances. Please sign this petition if you believe in justice, fairness, and giving every citizen a chance to contribute to society.