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Group Pushes “Ban the Box” Resolution |
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Thursday, 01 March 2007 |
SAN BERNARDINO
The City of San
Bernardino is home to some 2000 parolees who cannot
ever qualify for subsidized housing, or city jobs. This may change if Kim
Carter has her way. Her group will be at the March 5, 2007 City Council meeting
Public Comment time to request a resolution to ban discrimination of people
with criminal records. Carter is founder of the Time for Change organization.
The "Ban the Box" campaign is sweeping the state. Already Los
Angeles and San Francisco
have modified their applications.
The box on every application asks; have you been convicted
of a felony or a Misdemeanor? This also includes traffic tickets. Checking the
box disqualifies the applicant automatically. There is no explanation and the
disqualification is in place even with a Certificate of Rehabilitation or a
Governor's pardon.
Carter says it is the worst discrimination and that it
disproportionally affects people of color. "They suffer in many areas of life,
employment, housing, education, and eligibility for many forms of social
benefits. It is very difficult to feed our families, pay rent, and be
contributing members of our community. We have completed the punishment
mandated by the courts, now we should have an equal chance for employment and
housing," she said. Carter has turned her life around and wants to help others
make the change.
The point she argues is: If we can't get jobs, we can't feed
our families or maintain housing, which means our families will be separated.
If we can't get jobs, we won't have health care because we don't have access to
health insurance. If we can't get jobs or housing, there is a possibility some
of us will end up committing crimes and we won't qualify for reunification with
our children, which will also devastate our families and leave our children in
foster care.
Federal and state laws already prohibit consideration or
past convictions that are not substantially job-related, but she says the
discrimination continues.
Carter invites everyone to join the debate and help change
the system that causes recidivism, and no growth.
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January 2009 |
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