"Ban The box" comes to Utica, NY

picture sourced from jurismagazine.com

"I love the idea of social change and being a part of something that is way bigger than you and I. So when i see a campaign or movement that I know hits home for me. I always  jump in to feed the fire"

The Ban The Box campaign definitely hits home for me and is catching fire in Utica, NY. I had  the great  opportunity last Thursday at Mohawk Valley Community College to join forces with other supporters of this fast growing campaign, and discuss the ways that it negatively effects our communities now, but more importantly how making this change would benefit or communities in the future  (even for those without any criminal convictions.) 

( right to left ) Myself, Jerome Wright  president CEO of M.A.N Program, and his wife Susan Wright . 

(left to right) James Vaughan Founder of Incarcerated flavors, and Vice Chancellor Johanna of  I.f. 

Next is myself and a member of club I.F that attended the discussion .Not featured is Rich Weston, leader  Club I.F  (Incarcerated flavors junior chapter), which meets at Mohawk Valley Community College and hosts various events at and around the college campus.

Incarcerated Flavors  is a well known not-for-profit organization in the Utica community. There mission is to provide a platform for previously incarcerated individuals to promote their creative talents. Click here to like there Facebook page and see how you can help out there cause.

What is "Ban The Box" ?

 Ban the Box was initiated by All of Us or None to end structural discrimination against people with criminal  convictions and incarceration histories, primarily in the areas of hiring and housing policy. Its main goal is to remove this box from applications so it will create less of a probability that employers will  have predetermined judgments of people who by law must check that box. 

By eliminating the box it gives those with criminal records a higher chance of...

1. Meeting  the employer face to face and creating a Positive first impression
2. Being judged solely based on there qualifications and not Predetermined judgments
3. Gaining  employment to help them remain productive members of society.  

   How can it help society as a whole?

•  By providing  fair chances for people to find jobs and end the vicious cycle of criminal behavior with in our communities. 
• Gives parents with past records a chance to gain employment, and pass good work ethics onto younger generations.
• It will also help reduce the poverty levels in rural communities, and create less of a need for public assistance, and welfare programs that millions of tax dollars go to fund every single year.

 In many cities and states,this is what you'll see on the application:Have you ever been convicted of a crime, offense, or violation of the law?

            ☐ Yes  ☐ No

When an inmate is released, you often hear Americans say that he's "paid his debt" and can now become "a productive member of society." But the reality is ex-cons pay for their crimes long after sentences end. On the outside, the stigma of incarceration makes it extremely difficult to land a job. (Lois M. Davis.cleveland.com)

Picture this? you've just been arrested  for possession and  intent to sell,  Your convicted of a felony and sentenced to 1 year in  state prison. In that 1 year  you get clean,  you reevaluate your  life, and make the decision to straighten up in order to become a good role model for your 2 sons at home.

They cant keep you their forever, so eventually your released. Congratulations! You have now paid your so called, "debt to society", and you can now go on and peruse a positive life for your self and family, so you start looking for a job filling out applications. 

Unfortunately,Many employers immediately disqualify applicants who tick the "yes" box.  which I will say it again; you must check yes or you could be brought up on charges if hired, and sued for falsifying documents.

So now your left with bills to pay, mouths to feed, and an overwhelming feeling  of discouragement from the obstacles hindering you from becoming a productive member of society, but also meeting basic needs.

Now in a desperate attempt to provide for your family  you revert back to the lifestyle you were living in order to make ends meet. 

"Yes it is possible to persevere  through those obstacles and  discouragement and become a productive member of society because I myself have a past criminal history am doing so today" 

But I'm fortunate that all I have to look after is myself. The only mouth i have to feed and provide for is me. I couldn't imagine the pressure I would feel if I had children to take care of as well.

 I want you to seriously ask yourself What  would you do if you were faced with the same situation, where you have every intention to succeed, but the world around you has made so many obstacles to see that you fail?
  
 There are so many benefits to this campaign and movement besides the ones i have briefly touched base on if you were slightly intrigued by this post, and live in the CNY,
 I encourage you to contact me notsoaveragenay@gmail.com . I will definitely get you connected to all the people you need to know to join the movement. 

If you would like to learn more about the ban the box campaign or any of the other programs I've mentioned I encourage you to visit the links below......

BantheBoxcampaign.org

Incarearted flavors facebook page

M.A.N program

       sources:Davis, Lois M. Davis. "If You Want Ex-cons to Be 'productive Members of Society,' Ban the Box:." Cleveland.com. 5 Sept. 2014. Web. 12 Apr. 2015.

all of the content and pictures in this article are mine,unless otherwise stated

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