"One in every four adults has a criminal record. Employers have legitimate concerns about
hiring such people; no one wants to see a person with a DUI driving a school bus. But many
employers refuse to hire anyone with a criminal record for any job, no matter how minor the
conviction or how long ago it occurred.
A teenager arrested for marijuana possession, shoplifting, or driving under the influence
follows a person for the rest of their lives. The result is a perfect storm. People with records
who cannot get a job are far more likely to com it a new criminal offense, creating millions of
crime victims. The additional arrests clog our court system and required thousands of new
prisons, costing taxpayers billions of dollars. Employers lose valuable potential employees.
Having millions of people with records unemployed is a drain on our economy."
Questions:
- What has the National Worksrights Institute been doing about this problem?
- How would a utilitarian?
- What is the Ban the Box movement? Has it had successes?
- Has the EEOC adopted its recommendations?
- What would Milton say about hiring people who have served prison time? Do you
agree with Milton? Why or why not?