States Help Ex-Inmates Find Jobs

Faced with yawning budget gaps and high unemployment, California, Michigan, New York and several other states are attacking both problems with a surprising strategy: helping ex-convicts find jobs to keep them from ending up back in prison.

The approach is backed by prisoner advocates as well as liberal and conservative government officials, who say it pays off in cold, hard numbers. Michigan, for example, spends $35,000 a year to keep someone in prison — more than the cost of educating a University of Michigan student. Through vigorous job placement programs and prudent use of parole, state officials say they have cut the prison population by 7,500, or about 15 percent, over the last four years, yielding more than $200 million in annual savings. Michigan spends $56 million a year on various re-entry programs, including substance abuse treatment and job training.  Read more...

California has paid scores of criminals to care for residents

The rules of the state's home healthcare program, as interpreted by a judge this year, permit such felons to work as aides. Among their crimes are rape, assault and theft.

Reporting from Sacramento — Scores of people convicted of crimes such as rape, elder abuse and assault with a deadly weapon are permitted to care for some of California's most vulnerable residents as part of the government's home health aide program.

Data provided by state officials show that at least 210 workers and applicants flagged by investigators as unsuitable to work in the program are nonetheless scheduled to resume or begin employment.  Read More...

To fight crime, Ogden tells ex-cons to move out

Ogden - Not only was Joseph Sambrano following the rules of his parole, he was doing so well he received a job as a security guard at his apartment building.

The 46-year-old Sambrano would ensure that visitors to Park Avenue Apartments had escorts, told tenants to turn down loud music and helped police when they visited the building. Along the way, Sambrano assumed custody of his 16-year-old nephew and began raising him at Park Avenue.

Despite that, Ogden City wants Sambrano out of Park Avenue. Building management will evict him to save money.  Read More...

Law review could open doors for ex-offenders

A nine-month stint in prison on a probation violation was the jolt Carl P. Thompson needed to straighten out his life. He had squandered a good job as a customer service supervisor by stealing goods from his employer, Finish Line. And now, to support six children and make $15,000 in restitution, he needed work.  "It gets frustrating," Thompson, 38, said, when a hopeful job interview invariably turns south at mention of his felony conviction.  Read more...