So where CAN we work?
The recent story from the Boston Herald about a Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles employee being fired after it was discovered he was on the Florida sex offender registry perfectly illustrates how deeply rooted discrimination has become against anyone on the registry. According to the report, the individual was not in a public-facing position — he processed truck company applications for a safety program and had no interaction with the general public. Despite this, the moment his registry status became known, he was placed on leave and ultimately fired.
Across the country, people on sex offender registries lose their jobs every day — not because of any misconduct or risk in the workplace, but because of the stigma attached to being on a government list. Many of these positions, like the one in Massachusetts, involve no public contact, no access to sensitive populations, and no connection to the individual’s past offense. Yet employers and agencies often react with panic or public pressure rather than reason or fairness.
This knee-jerk response undermines one of the most important principles of a just society: that a person who has served their sentence should have the opportunity to rebuild their life. Gainful employment is one of the strongest predictors of successful reintegration and lower recidivism. When someone is punished again and again — losing jobs, housing, and stability long after their sentence — it serves no public safety purpose. In fact, it has the opposite effect by creating desperation and hopelessness.
Why should someone be fired from a job they performed competently simply because of an old conviction? If we can’t work in positions that pose no risk to the public, where can we work?
It’s time for lawmakers and employers to reconsider how registry status is used as a blanket disqualifier. People deserve to be judged by their actions in the present — not a label from their past. Until that changes, stories like this will continue to remind us that the sex offender registry is not a tool for public safety, but for perpetual punishment.
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Since the state insists on insuring that we can’t get jobs, then the state should start paying us disability. Our disability is we can’t find a job because the state has seemingly made this their mission.
Preventing one from getting employment and keeping it once found is a leading cause to homelessness despite the efforts PFRs put in to get and keep employment. The govts need to realize they are the hurdle put in the way for the people to get back on their feet and be productive. Society will do what they are able to do by the laws put out there whether it prohibits or allows actions.
TS
I worked at a place for 10 years and never had an issue. One day human resources showed up from corporate and asked me to meet them at the manager’s office. I was honest when hired about my charges so wasn’t sure what was going on. They said they were really sorry, but their insurance was not comfortable with the liability, so I was given a choice to quit or be fired. I chose fired because on probation if you quit you could get violated and I was honest with my probation office, and she actually found me a new job.
I hear you and know that feeling as I wrote on the previous page of this article with similar situation. Good to know I am not the only one who knows how this goes and what it is like.
I would like to say I have been so blessed. When I was on probation and supervision watch for 5 years. I was a helper with someone doing construction, drywall, painting and Handyman stuff. After I was done serving my time. With in a year I started my own business. I am a Christian. God is my boss. I was not going to allow fear to stop me in my tracks to succeed in my life. So I took the leap of faith and started my own bussiness. I been in my own bussiness for 8 years now. I go to homeowners house and Commercial businesses. I put my best foot forwards and represent the Lord. I made sure my bussiness name didn’t have my name and that my bussiness name pointed towards God. I have my own work van wrapped with my bussiness name, cross and bible verse on it. I have so many 5 star reviews on Google. I have my own bussiness website. It’s be a real pleasure being my own boss. I even hirer help temporarily on big jobs. My clients speak highly of me. Referring me to others. It’s been so amazing. I make well enough money. Have my own 401k I pay. And I own a house. No renting for me. I have had my house for over 10 years. If you are able to start your own bussiness. I encourage you to.
When I was on federal supervision, I couldn’t find a job. I have limited mobility due to past injuries and asked for permission to use a computer with monitored internet access so I could create my own at-home business ( something I was successful with before my conviction). The feds resisted saying to the judge that they had no way to monitor my computer activity and they didn’t trust any service I was willing to pay for out of my own pocket. Even the judge had the mistaken belief that federal probation had ready access to internet monitoring software. I wasn’t allowed work from home until my supervision ended. Now that it has, I run my own succesdful business from a laptop. This goes to show that most people can be successful and find work when the government gets out of the way.
I lost so many jobs in manufacturing simply because as soon as someone found out I was on the registry or the “police thugs” came to verify my employment (intimidate employer) I was fired. Often times the employer would apologize and say they have little choice because they can’t afford the risk of publicity or media attention.. I was forced to scrap a multi thousand dollar degree I couldn’t complete and can’t pay for now. In the end I moved to a third world country with my family where we could rebuild our lives.. Sad days when third world countries have better freedoms and opportunities then the USA
Obvious
Pretty sad the only way to get away from the registry is to go somewhere you really never thought in a million years you would move to. And I suppose if you ever come back, you would be right back on the registry.
A few people on here have commented that they moved to another state and were able to be removed from that state with different rules. Not sure how one state can make it for life and others can allow people off. That in itself seems punishment, having different rules for the same registry.
Can FAC and other affiliates write letters to the Mass motor vehicle registry opposing this. Even if they do nothing at least they’ll know there’s alot of organizations and people who are watching them and are very critical of their actions.
I’ve worked at just about every fast food place. Some managers are ok and some are real dooshes about it. I had a business for 15 years. Being an s type corporation has some advantages. You can be a no face YouTuber. Basically anything that you can do for someone else you can do as a business model for yourself. I am currently a machinist and my employers biggest problem with it was that I did not tell them about it ahead of time so they feel like I lied to them but they kept me on and I’ve been there for almost 10 years now. If you don’t know what you want to do talk to someone at your local community college and they can help you find something that you can do and make money. Colleges really are a great resource for that.
There are ban the box applications for a reason which is to give people a chance to move ahead regardless. Unless there are real security issues, personnel or property, the need to know ones criminal background is useless if it is not detrimental to the job at hand. Yes, there are those jobs one should not go back into if their crime stems from the job, e.g., an educator or coach. If HR and mgmt had spines, then they would address issues such as finding out afterward with the person and the staff on individual basis. Work performance should outweigh a conviction years in the past.