As anyone with a criminal history can attest to, it can be extremely difficult
to move forward with your life following a felony or misdemeanor conviction.
It is hard to find a place to live, and it is nearly impossible to find
a job. Sadly, the reality is that many companies immediately rule out
an applicant based on the little check mark indicating that the applicant
has been convicted of a crime. Now, Daytona Beach, Jacksonville, Orlando,
and a growing number of cities across the US are announcing that they
will “ban the box;” no longer will applicants be required
to state upfront on their application any criminal history. The background
check will still be done, and criminal pasts will be addressed, but at
least the individual will be able to prove their qualifications and be
considered for a position with an unbiased view from the hiring department.
Mykal Tairu, an avid supporter of Ban the Box, says, “The premise
of the campaign is that anything that makes it harder for ex-offenders
to find a job makes it likelier that they will re-offend, which is bad
for society.” For now, in Daytona Beach, the policy will apply to
city applications only, but many organizations and businesses may soon
follow suit.
Local small business owner Paul Heroux, who was previously incarcerated,
says, “Checking that box takes away your identity. You are unable
to explain who you are and what you can bring to a company before you
are deemed unfit for the position. Everyone has an idea in their head
of who a felon is or what they look like, and it probably doesn’t
look like me. ‘Ban the Box’ is a chance for my face to replace
the movie gangster the hiring manager pictured when they saw I checked
yes.”