There are thousands of justice-impacted residents in Chatham County, who despite being released, find their record holds them back. These are folks who were formerly incarcerated, people with a criminal record, and people who share households or close bonds with them. As they try to get back on their feet, unjust systems threaten to keep them down.

Sign the petition to advance fair chance employment practices in Chatham County!

Many of our justice-impacted neighbors bring skills, experience, and a strong work ethic to every opportunity before them. Research shows that when presented with opportunities, justice-impacted employees stick around longer and are promoted faster than other employees. In our community, many are seeking a fresh start and trying to live as models for their children, family, or friends. They're eager to work, build, and create alongside everyone else, and some even have certifications and qualifications obtained while incarcerated. But instead of being able to translate their skills, value, and certifications into stable, fairly-paid careers, they find a locked door.

According to the National Employment Law Project, formerly incarcerated individuals earn barely half as much as non-incarcerated counterparts. That means these employees are trying to make ends meet with half the earnings of their counterparts. And long probation sentences mean losing a job can send someone back to prison. 

We all feel the weight of inflation, housing shortages, and underfunded public transportation, but these challenges weigh heavier on our justice-impacted neighbors. But, we don't have to tolerate this for ourselves or our justice-impacted neighbors. We can expand opportunities for justice-impacted individuals while reducing crime. For justice-impacted Chatham County residents, moving or changing jobs may not be a viable option. That is why we must act now to ensure an equal and fair chance for everyone in our county.

For our justice-impacted neighbors, a single past mistake can result in a lifetime of stigma, second-class citizenship, and a substandard quality of life. This status quo has existed for years but the roots of the issue have gone unaddressed. By signing this petition, you show businesses in our community that offering a fair chance won't damage their brand. You give businesses yet another reason to do the right thing. Finally, you show your justice-impacted neighbors that you value their humanity and see them as equals.

We invite local businesses, universities, and government to: 

1. BAN THE BOX: Don't ask about conviction history on the application. Instead, condition employment on a background check. Give everyone a fair shot by waiting to run a background check until after extending an offer. This allows justice-impacted individuals to make a positive impression on applications and interviews, and to explain what may appear on a background check.
2. Create intentional hiring and promotion pathways: Extend the fair chance all the way through the employment relationship. Intentionally recruit formerly incarcerated individuals and provide pathways for them to work their way up.
3. Establish scholarship funds for formerly incarcerated individuals: An education can expand opportunities, but costs put college out of reach. Local business and government can work together to provide funding for adult learners looking to take a step forward.