Really Think About It

As a follow up to a comment I made on Peoria Chronicle, I thought I would expand on the serious collateral consequences of being a convicted felon. Many people focus on the effect of the traditional concept of punishment - time spent in jail or prison. However, for most felons, the more devastating consequences come after they have served their time and reenter society.

Of course, the consequences may depend on the crime and the jurisdiction of conviction. However, this is a basic list of the things convicted felons cannot do. Most of us take these things for granted. What would you do?

Convicted felons cannot hold public office. They cannot serve on a jury. They cannot possess firearms. They cannot vote. They are ineligible to serve in the armed forces. They may be denied public housing or housing assistance. They cannot hold drivers licenses in certain circumstances. They may be barred from adopting or becoming foster parents. They may be denied food stamps or other such benefits. They can be barred from being the personal representative or an executor of an estate (meaning they cannot serve as an executor for their parents). They cannot be designated as a Representative Payee for a Social Security benefits recipient (meaning that they cannot receive a disabled child's benefit payments, even if they are a single parent).

Here is a list of professions or jobs that felons are barred from holding in most states:

Acupuncturist
Air Conditioning Mechanic
Architect
Asbestos Worker
Attorney
Certified Public Accountant
Chiropractor
Clinical Laboratory Technician
Commercial Driver
Correctional Officer
Cosmetologist
Dentist
Dietitian
Electrician
Funeral Director
Insurance Broker
Insurance Agent
Investment Advisor
Land Surveyor
Marriage and Family Counselor
Massage Therapist
Notary Public
Nurse
Nursing Home Administrator
Operating Engineer
Optometrist
Pharmacist
Physician
Plumber
Police Officer
Principal
Property Manager
Psychologist
Real Estate Broker
Real Estate Salesperson
Real Estate Appraiser
Securities Broker
Securities Agent
Security Alarm Agent
Social Worker
Taxicab/Limo Operator
Teacher
Veterinarian

Even if they aren't barred from a particular job, would you hire someone to work with you in your business if they answered yes to the question, "Are you a convicted felon?"

And we wonder why the recidivism rate is so high. Where are felons supposed to work? How are they supposed to feed themselves and their families? Where should they live? How should they pay for all of this without a job?

Sure, they have all committed a crime against society in some fashion - some worse than others. But, after serving their time, many people feel they have "paid their debt to society." Just how long should society continue to collect this debt? Do we really think every crime is deserving of a lifetime of misery? I certainly hope not. Unfortunately, this is the system we have in the United States. Who is going to change it?

Well, one thing is for sure - not the felons. They can't vote or hold public office. And guess who that leaves . . . .




For more information, read this report published by the District of Columbia Public Defender's Office or this report published by the Department of Justice.