"including an executive order directing federal employers to delay asking questions about a job applicant's criminal history until later in the application process."

I'm not sure how much this will help, it just moves when you will get denied until later on in the process. I recently had four interviews with a company that really liked me but didn't know of my past. We were talking salary and where they saw me in 5 years with their company and as soon as I told them of my history even though it was over 17 years ago they never called me back since.

Independent,

It may not help but it is a step in the right direction. People can argue all they want about these reforms being made by the current administration---and the ones proposed by a couple of hopeful presidential candidates-----but I have seen nobody else even attempt to address these problems.

Give credit where credit is due. Some politicians are at least making an effort to help those convicted of a felony..

rewdiazepam

Hillary Clinton, along with Obama, has also stated that she will use an executive order to ban the box.
The executive action would be intended to make it easier for people with criminal histories to be hired.

http://tinyurl.com/pd7zsqk
She also has stopped taking political donations from private prisons. Her campaign says she wants to "end the era of mass incarceration."

http://tinyurl.com/oajs2mx

Under the Obama administration, we have had attempts at prison reform, the War on Drugs has begun to wind down, and his administration is taking a lax view of minor drug crimes, such as marijuana.

Recently the Obama administration has announced that it will release thousands of inmates who were caught up in our ill-fated War on Drugs and received an unfair prison sentence.

The Justice Department is set to release about 6,000 inmates early from prison — the largest one-time release of federal prisoners — in an effort to reduce overcrowding and provide relief to drug offenders who received harsh sentences over the past three decades, according to U.S. officials.

http://tinyurl.com/pbalhsp

Whether you like Obama or Hillary or not----and I have no real opinion----we have to give credit where credit is due. Trust me, you would NEVER see these reforms under an administration of the opposite party. Conservatives are very tough on crime as that is their platform.

In fact, conservative groups, as we speak, are fighting hard against the "ban the box" proposals made by Hillary, Obama, and other more liberal minded politicians and they are having a fit that Obama is ordering a mass release of drug offenders whose sentence are far too harsh. This is how the conservatives work.

I have seen people call these people silly names, but it is time that we support the people that best represents our interests. It continues to amaze me that some people support politicians who are against their own best interests; it is just like shooting yourself in the foot.

rewdiazepam

PS Please, there is no need for a political argument here. I think these new proposals speak for themselves. Just read the links.

No doubt it's a step in the right direction, I'm just waiting for the other shoe to drop to say this doesn't apply to sex offenders. Maybe I'm too pessimistic on this issue.

Independent,

The push to end mass incarceration and stop the proliferation of private prisons have nothing to do with sex offenders in particular.

The prison reform has nothing to do with sex offenders in particular.

I also deal with prison reform, so these developments are important to me. The mass release of inmates with long drug sentences is a matter of this administration actually doing something, and not just promising something. They have "put their money where their mouth is."

As far as "banning the box" maybe it won't help or maybe it will help just a little, but I can tell you one thing with complete 100% assurance-----you sure did not see anyone else proposing any of these amendments.

This is a start in the right direction for anyone convicted of a felony.

I would not be too greedy here; we should be glad we are at least having these conversations, which certainly never happened before.

rewdiazepam

I know, I hear you on the being too greedy from a logical perspective. It's tough on the emotions and ego though.

My experience with that employer I mentioned was heartbreaking. Because for a moment I felt normal, like I could be just a regular guy getting a great job working normal hours being able to provide for my family. It's like you get a chance to see what life could be like then it all gets ripped out from under you when they learn of something that happened 17 years ago. I liken it to the women in my family that have had a lot of miscarriages, one of the last ones was tragic. They start to think of the little one as a person and start preparing the room and all of the sudden it's gone and they wonder if it will ever happen for them.

Rand Paul who is running for the Presidency on the GOP has been one of the front runners pushing for prison reform.

It's good to know rand Paul does, what other republicans and democrats support it?

Do you think the politicians who support banning the box are more or less likely to support evidence based practices when it comes to sex offenders thought? I don't know if I can draw a straight line yet between the two but I like to see that politicians are willing to try to give a second chance to felons.

All in all its a blanket policy that's a step in the right direction. And Rew is absolutely right! Ten years ago even with all the studies there was zero talk of reform we are seeing a major shift, the politicians are ACTUALLY talking.

Our own governor here has passes a plethora of second chance programs, closed two prisons and hopes to close another one. And while the second chance programs are more aimed at the non violent drug offenders he's even stepped beyond to provide funding for a massive study on the ineffectiveness of the current so registry and restrictive rules. The ACLU up here in these parts has been pushing back in a huge way against some of the restrictions.

Hell NH just passed legislation requiring mandatory notification of jury nullification to jurors.

Yes, Rand Paul did propose a program for prison reform, and I applaud him for doing it. Bernie Sanders and Jim Webb also proposed prison reform; unfortunately, I don't think any of these guys will be the next President of the United States. At this point, it will be difficult to beat Hillary Clinton.

Actually Jim Webb proposed prison reform several years ago before anyone else even thought about it.

I don't care for Hillary that much as I think her and Bill are nothing but "professional politicians," but if she can help this country---and do anything to help the people I support--- then that is who we need. Inmate's families and people going through the criminal justice system need all the help they can get and I don't care if it comes from a man or a woman.

Frankly, the men of this country have done such a lousy job of running this nation, that maybe it is time to elect more female politicians. Their life experiences are much different than men's and maybe we need to try something different in this country. Sometimes females see things from a different perspective than males and that might be helpful.

I don't really care about any person's party affiliation or whether they are conservative or liberal; I would sing the conservative's praises if they were the one proposing prison reform.

I only care that someone will get the ball rolling to bring some help and relief to the millions of inmates' families, and hopefully some of this will spill over to the sex offender community.

Politics is a dirty and nasty business. I have been at this for a while, and for once, I see a glimmer of hope that the country is willing to address the problems in our criminal justice system.

I want candidates and politicians that will give folks like us some HOPE.

After all, sometimes hope is all we have.

rewdiazepam

Don't worry, I'm not gonna get 'political'.
First, as someone who has been involved in the hiring process, the box is really not paid much attention, the persons qualifications are more important. On top of that, this is just another 'Feel good' thing that means nothing, it doesn't ban doing background checks, I don't believe any law could be passed that does. If a company does background checks, and most do these days, they are just going to do them and most post in their ads that the do.
Think about this, If I owned a pharmacutical company I would want to know if the person I am hiring has a past drug problem. Even the Fed. Govt. HAS to do background checks for security clearences.
This is all just smoke and mirrors and this will NEVER go for RSO's..

Independent, I don't see anyone right now that will support reform for SO's on either side of the political table. I honestly don't know who else on the GOP side is for prison reform (I haven't watched the debates to find out).

I don't like Hillary at all Rew, and I know a lot of people feel the same way. I know Sanders is gaining traction with the 20 somethings. I wouldn't be surprised he wins the Dem nomination. I wouldn't be totally opposed to Sanders. I like some of his ideas, would just prefer we cut costs to fund his ideas instead of adding more taxes.

As far as Rand Paul goes, I'm rooting for him. Ca had its primaries sooner, I would change from Independent to Republican just so I could vote for him. But by the time CA votes, the GOP will have already selected its nominee. I will start listening to the debates when the two tickets have selected its nominees for President.

Rand is not his father, I'd vote for his father, not so sure about him.