Number
120663
Version
SUBSTITUTE 2
Reference
Sponsor
ALD. LEWIS, COGGS, HAMILTON, PEREZ, BOHL, AND KOVAC
Title
Substitute resolution relating to City job application procedures to increase the number of job opportunities available for persons with prior convictions.
Analysis
This resolution directs the Department of Employee Relations to maintain its current practice of not asking questions relating to prior convictions and pending criminal charges on initial job applications for City employment, as well as its policy of conducting criminal background checks only prior to prospective employees being placed on an employee eligible list. The resolution further encourages all city employers to adopt similar policies.
Body
Whereas, In an average year, in Wisconsin there are 8,600 ex-offenders who, having served their sentences, are released from some level of corrections and 3,600 of those released return as residents of Milwaukee County; and
Whereas, Although corrections experts recognize that the single most important step to foster re-entry to society is stable, family-sustaining employment, all ex-offenders struggle to overcome the stigma of prior convictions when seeking the employment necessary to restore their lives; and
Whereas, Without access to the employment necessary for successful re-entry to society, many ex-offenders find themselves resorting to behaviors that harm themselves and the community, perpetuating a cycle of re-offense and incarceration; and
Whereas, Most employers include questions of prior convictions on the initial job applications and, sometimes unlawfully, use that information to deny further consideration for applicants; and
Whereas, Local and national organizations, such as the New Hope Project, the National HIRE Network, 9 to 5 and the Legal Action Center have advocated for “ban the box” legislation that moves disclosure of conviction and pending charge history from the initial job application to the interview step; a...
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