People that have the label of a felon often face insurmountable challenges when it comes to the workforce. A person’s background often hinders them from gaining a job that would allow them to make positive change in their community.

I feel felons should be given a fair shot if they’ve been out of trouble for at least 5 years or even 10 plus years. If an individual has demonstrated that they can hold a job and live in society without committing crime, at that point, why should a person’s background continue to stop them from doing what society wants.. working and obeying the law.

I understand the reluctance when it comes to trusting a person that is currently involved in crime or shows a pattern of breaking the law, but, when you have someone that has made the necessary adjustments following their release.. working, obeying the law, staying out of trouble, for 5, 10 plus years.. shouldn’t that person be able to have the same opportunity as any other individual?

Not everyone with a felony is looking to continue committing crime. So we shouldn’t label everyone with a felony, as career criminals, people can and do change. It’s time people understood that on a larger scale. 

Wipe away felony records for those that deserve it, who are capable and actually want to live positive and productive lives. That is a sure way to cut back on crime and the recidivism rate. Give people a chance to work as opposed to being told ‘no’ and have them result back to criminal ways.