Ex-Felons Struggling to Find Jobs

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - Finding employment after paying their debt to society is an issue that many who have served time face. Many say they want to work, and they're just looking for someone to give them a second chance at being a productive citizen.

FOX13's Greg Coy talked to one ex-con who isn't giving up his fight to find a job.

Terry Price walks a difficult path to find employment. He's been out of work for two years. The task of finding a job has been made more difficult by the recession and his criminal past.

"I was convicted of 2nd degree murder. I received a 20 year sentence and did 8.5 years," Price said. "My felony is 17 years old. I did my time for my crime. Why is this still haunting me, I don't get it."

Price looks for work on the internet with limited computer skills. He proudly talked about his employment record, although that hasn't opened any doors.

"I have managed McDonalds on the weekend and I was managing Atlanta Bread Monday through Friday… [I was] never late, worked overtime."

Minister DeAndre Brown, Sr. with Lifeline to Success, Inc. said, "We even have clients say the interview was going well and the minute the criminal background question came up, the interviewer would remove the paper work and tell them, 'Sorry, we can't help you.'"

Terry is not alone is his predicament. According to the Tennessee Department of Parole and Probation, there are nearly 9,300 ex-offenders under court supervision in Shelby County. Their unemployment rate is approximately 33% compared to the state jobless rate of 9.4%.

"I want to work. I want to work," said Price. "I will take just about anything."

The Tennessee Board of Probation and Parole has put new emphasis on ex-offenders finding work. In 2009, it hired 4 employment specialists for each major city. April Buckner is responsible for 100 clients in Memphis, trying to persuade reluctant employers to give them a job.

"We are trying to get the employer to understand that because they have a background, doesn't necessarily mean they are going to go out and commit again," Buckner said.

Nationally, even the federal government offers incentives. Employers that hire an ex offender can get a $2,400 tax credit and a six month $5,000 dollar bond/insurance against theft.

Locally, the City of Memphis no longer asks employees if they've been convicted of a crime, although it still does a background check.

Minister DeAndre Brown runs a program called Lifeline to Success. An ex-felon himself, Brown trains ex-offenders on how to re enter the workforce, and more importantly, how to answer the question about a criminal record.

"If you don't remember anything else after today, remember this. Hard work overcomes all obstacles," Brown said. "If they bring it up, deal with it and move on. Don't spend a too much time trying to explain because they may already understand."

Terry Price has a chance at employment. The General Manager of Raleigh Springs Mall will give him an interview, but nothing is promised. He also found an opening at Harrah's Casino in food prep. Casino management told FOX13 his application would not be rejected because of his past felony.

"I am pretty sure, one day, I am going to going to find a job if I keep on being persistent."

LINK | Lifeline to Success