I committed theft when I was 19. I never offended again, paid my restitution, and even got my record expunged. I’m 37 now and was just rejected from a dream job because of one mistake. Even though my record was sealed, they fingerprint for background checks and can still see sealed convictions. The system is completely broken and gatekeepers are everywhere. I feel for anyone who has been treated poorly simply because of a record. My new goal is to start my own company and give others the second chance they deserve.
If you ever get there and are in my area , I'm looking for work lol in a similar situation. 1 non violent felony and nothing else on my record. I can't seem to find anything. Hope your doing well.
I have read articles and seen videos on TH-cam that expungements and "sealed records" are a joke. Employers train themselves to think negatively; they look for any excuse to deny you something. Look at me! I have never been arrested in my life. I have had difficulty getting jobs. Why? Too much education and intelligence.
Yup. Been 10yrs living with a felony that I got jammed with while they walked free. Living with hatred and anger and converting it into drive and hustle with businesses.
This is why people like us need to stick together and help each other out because we’re the only ones who can truly understand what we’re going through. They wanna make it nearly impossible to live a decent life after a past mistake by creating barriers that target the individual but if we create a community then no matter what they throw at us we can still survive.
@PL Lyons I'm not violent but only we understand because those who haven't made this mistake or have been in this unfortunate position understand how difficult it is to be given an opportunity. I do not care how minute it may be.
Records main goal is not to make life harder of any offender but to inform the public, because no one would like to have a murderer as coworker without knowing
@@carolinemcallister692yeah but they do make life extremely hard jobs that you can easily do won’t even hire you . Places won’t let you get a apartment their etc etc .
It gets better everyone, I caught a class B felony when I was 18, did 4 in prison, 4 on parole. I learned to box, got my GED, got in the best shape of my life, and grew up. I wish it wasn't on my record anymore, it doesn't effect me nowhere near as bad, it's been 14 years. After so long, it shouldn't continue to be on your record, I believe that strongly. If you've done better, don't get in trouble for years, why's it still get used against you? Where's the incentive to do better?
@@michaelmorse4444 yup it’s a catch 22, I’ve changed my life the last 10 years I got in trouble at 19, I’m now 29, still giving me problems to expunge it even though I’ve completed therapy & outpatient programs, got my cosmetology licensed, worked with platform artists. Now I’m about to be done with med assistant school & be a certified medical assistant & it’s still haunting me, just trying to get an externship which is me working for FREE & my charges were 3rd/4th degree. I’ve helped so many in addiction & held groups & motivated many women, I feel like i have more than paid my debt.
i found an extern in cardiology!! i love it!! its a lot of work and pressure but i love it, even though im not being compensated yet, they did talk to me about hiring me! plus its great experience and im learning alot. Got the go ahead on my expungement as well! hard work pays off. blessed be everyone!!
Coming out was hard and I struggled finding purpose but I started my own business. A landscape business. Make over 100,000 and hire struggling kids and felons.
I hope I can find my place. Was in a group home 15-17 and then 18-21 was in prison. 23 now and have struggled with the stigma the job rejections. Applied to 60 jobs this past 3 weeks only got one call back. Hope one day I can be the one giving another a chance.
@Joshua Smith To you they’re tweaks. To me they’re people who deserve a chance. I’ve had some tough times but when you do find a good worker, it’s worth it.
The best decision I ever made was going to college after incarceration. With my college degree I was able to get an apprentice electrician job . After several years of being an apprentice I took my journeyman test and passed . After that I took my masters and passed . It’s all about the little steps and being patient. It took 13 years to get where I’m at now. Don’t give up on yourself and just keep filling out applications or go to school. I never thought it was possible but on January 19th 2021my firearms rights were restored in the state of Minnesota. Anything is possible. I believe in you .
Non violent charge from 2006, even after college and 6 years of experience, still automatically disqualified over 200 times in 3 years.. Its a constant struggle
@@SSGT529 I hear u man, ur not alone. I had a similar charge as u. Except they don't have "simple possession" in my state for the substance I allegedly got caught with. So they charge "with intent" for that drug, doesn't matter how little you possessed. I plead out to a year, cuz i was facing 7 years had I tried to take the charge to trial. I lost a decent job that paid my family's bills due to that charge, and have remained unable to find a job since. Everyone does backround checks now, and no one is willing to give anyone else a fighting chance. I dont get it. I never stole or hurt anyone else, so why do we get ostracized?
@Josh River, I know what you are going through as well. You can still do General Labor jobs if you want to (Temporary Work, Temp Pay). I started reselling/ flipping items years ago and it has helped so much. You can also do the same. Take some time to research jobs that you can do without a 9-5 job. Also you can start your own business. You have talents, just have to have faith and keep positive. Good luck to you, brother.
I'm an Ex Con and I'm getting my Bachelor's degree in Business Administration. I don't rely on the system I will open my own business in the future even if is a little chain of hotdog stands. Life is what you make of it.
But we have to be honest: most felons struggle to pay rent and get a car, nonetheless seed money to open a business. Hope is important, but so is realism. Don’t send a felon with a college with promises you can’t keep.
I'm doing the exact same thing, and I have about 2 semesters left in my BBA in accounting, after which I hope to open a business in financial services such as bookkeeping and taxation, but worst case, I'll have to figure out how to save to open some sort of franchise....whatever it takes
Don't try that in Florida. Ex felons can't get business licenses here. I know from personal experience. They also can't get one in CT and MA and it's damned hard in most other states.
@Ron Gillespie I work as a Union Carpenter. There are people who rent houses without CREDIT or BACKGROUND CHECK. I don't live in a fancy house but I try to keep it nice and neat as thanks. Don't be like one of those tenants that destroy the house. Those are the ones that makes it harder for the rest of the people. It's being 10 years so I will clear my record with a Certificate of Relief.
Thank you for sharing your story. It is unfortunate that the stigma of imprisonment becomes an extension of punishment to those who have already served their time. The barriers that are placed on recently released individuals extend into their difficulties for obtaining housing, adequate transportation, maintaining a stable job, having a positive social support system, etc. Some folks also may have parole guidelines or curfews that they must abide by post-release. Conversations about the stigma attached to having been a ‘felon’ are definitely needed to allow people to successfully reintegrate into society.
Felon. My life has hit a point where I question why even go on anymore. I have always had the mindset to never give up no matter how hard i think I have it, someone has it worse. But my battle I think now it futile. I don't want to be another suicide statistic. But i also don't want to do this.
Im sorry you're feeling this way. Im in a similar situation. No one is gonna hire me, love me, give me a place to live. I struggle everyday not blowing my brains out
Philip, it’s cliche but sometimes, you just don’t know how good your life could be in your future. Never give up. And also, find someone or some people to help. It will change your life. It changed mine.
It's all good. I'm in a better spot today. Getting clean and staying clean helps a ton. I'm not a quitter and I never will be, but still, as far as felons go...I feel things need to change. Non violent felonies, or ones without victims, should go up for review after a certain time having no legal issues WITHOUT having to pay to expunge or seal, I should be able to get an apartment have a firearm, just like anyone else. I've paid my dues and put in my time and work. Whats the point of it all then in the end? Just don't get it. And its not about being fair...its about whats RIGHT. Thats all...
Most importantly, why should our mistake punish our family ? This problem tumbles through many generations and they don’t see it . Our children should not be effected by something held above their parents head for the rest of their life . I wake up everyday thinking how I can do something impactful for my children , something they would be proud of . I just want to give them a small house and a backyard one day . Thanks for standing up
Joseph Saunders I have been a felon for 20 years and I’m not gonna lie. It’s been hard. I have two children and a wife. I work a full time HR job and just bought my first house a few years ago. You can do it. Don’t ever give up. Keep working hard and keep your faith in god. Being a good father and husband is something we all can do even if we are labeled by society and that is the most important thing that your children will remember you and be proud of you for. Wishing the best for you and yours. -fellow felon
Got an interview today for a job that offers a great salary. They called and asked about my background yesterday and because I was 100% honest I still have the interview. Anyone out there struggling with finding work, just be honest and accept that rejection is in everyone's life. Accept who you are and own your past. Don't let it define your future. Much love.
I did have my interview and was offered the job by the employer I was honest and they did hire me it was the state of California who sent me a letter stating that I couldn't work for the company due to my felony...the employer who hired me was a lil upset at the state for that one to because they really wanted me to come work for their company. My conviction was non vilonent nor drug related it was RSP
Just got out of jail and I’m a violent felon, I’m only 21 and now my track record has ruined most chances of getting a good job, it’s crazy how a felony can turn your life upside down...makes you want to sell drugs again who wants to make $9 an hour at the wimpy burger
Bro.....try to open a small business. Think like an entrepreneur. If the system don't help.... be creative. I used to power wash businesses for $100. And got it done in 1 hour or less.
Yes I agree with opening a small business. I have a mobile detailing business and I get payed more then most hood jobs. Yeah your right it’s not worth it to make money to pay it back to bills because your working a low minimum wage job.
@edwoodstock79 > TFW most small businesses fail within the first 5 years due to those 5 years being nothing but consecutive losses Sure thing Robert Kiyosaki. Being a successful Start up is literally like winning the lottery.
Going through this situation here in Florida. People don’t seem to understand. They just think because it’s easy for them to find a job that everyone else can as well. I started my own videography business but the work isn’t consistent enough to survive off of. Having a felony definitely does feel like a secret life sentence.
I’m a 24 yo ex-felon and I made up my mind to do better and now i make over $200k/a year and a Business Owner. You just have to hang in there and take the path of least resistance.
Come to NYC.... They recently adopted a no ask law. Employers are no longer allowed to ask about having a criminal record on job applications. They can only ask once your hired. And if they them hire you they have to explain why and how your felony conviction would be an obstacle to you working there. So if it's a charge for theft and the job is a construction job... It has no relevance and would not fly upon revew by the state unemployment board.
A lot of time they do background checks when you submit an application. They have their own personal background check account, kind of like if you wanted to background check a tenant you were going to rent a room to or a boyfriend your daughter starts seeing. So they background check you before anything else.
This hit home.. Im an ex felon from 26 years ago and have a extremely hard time to find work. Whats even worse what work i had back then i was a addict. Now that I've been clean for years i can't even get work, not even in a booming economy, not even in a bottom-of-the-barrel jobs. I understand why ex cons resort back to drug dealing and stealing.. Being an ex-con of ANY kind of felon is a life sentence no matter what anyone tells you. Trust me I know.
Absolutely fu**ing ridiculous that there is still discrimination in this day and age. So many young able men to work and this is what we do??? Just shameful!
@Tina Tinen we'd be the perfect ones for working in prisons but it's so much unjust and discrimination going on now... I hope we get our rights to work anywhere and be treated equally
@@jesuschristislordofmeandmy5122 I can only pray most of humanity will wake up and realize how cruel the justice system is. That one day sooner rather than later all felons will be able to actually work good to great paying jobs without restrictions and actually rebuild a better life.
@Tom Pinske What are they to do if they are violent offenders? Waste away as a burden on their families or the state? Just keep in mind that punching someone in the face in highschool can leave someone with a violent felony conviction for the rest of their life! I am a believer that there are no bad people there are only people who do bad things.
@Tom Pinske If what you are talking about that selling drugs is non violent. I disagree. Drugs easy wind up in the hands of kids. Kids die everyday by OD.
I have a misdemeanor from 12 years ago and no one will hire me, after getting rejected hundreds of times you just sit there and cry because theirs no hope. Makes me truly sad. Feel like it's the same as being a felon
Several mistakes made in my youth have cost me dearly I'm now in my 40s haven't even had a traffic ticket the last two decades and squeaky clean but I've endured years of being denied jobs after background checks. Not to mention I permanently lost my second amendment rights to protect my family. I can't even legally own a Taser. I'm not complaining I just know there's a lot of people in this country in the same situation I hope we can come together and fix it at some point. This country has so many laws you can't even step outside without breaking one even if you cross the street inappropriately you're asking for trouble... It's sickening I definitely don't feel like we live in a free country.
Smh my conviction is ten years old and I can't get a break. I was a mother, wife, homeowner and teacher. All gone now and never coming back. I can't even get back into school. I earn $15 an hour and barely survive. My children deserve better.
I can so relate. I'm honest about my background. Just a month ago I got hired in a great position. No where on the online application did it ask about my background. I started, filled out all the new hire paperwork, which also said nothing. I spoke to the HR colleague and told her the truth about my past. She questioned me asked me why & what happened & I was honest and told her. She then asked me leave & I complied. She called the next day and said "they're sorry but unable to move forward with my employment" She said "but we believe in second chances so I urge you to apply again in the future" (blew my mind) It's so hard. I've tried everything, I'm super discouraged but trying not to give up.
My felony is over 30 years old for a controlled substance violation the problem is when they pull your record they look at this like you just committed this 2 weeks ago they don't even consider multiple decades have passed with a clean record.
I hear it time and time again: "How can people move on if you won't let them?" I genuinely believe it is the individual's responsibility to keep trying as hard as they can. But, that being said, it never ceases to disgust me the number of people who proclaim to be followers of a faith with forgiveness and redemption at it's very core, who seem completely oblivious to their own hypocrisy when it comes to applying that to anyone with any kind of negative history. America became a great nation because of people searching for second chances. Our deterioration is, in large part, because we've forgotten that.
Story of my life as well. I got in trouble when I was 19, in 1997, for vandalism and theft charges, and was given a 12 year prison sentence, eligible for parole after serving 30% of it. I served 3 1/2 years, got out for 6 months but with no opportunities and facing violating parole for not maintaining employment I tried to flee my state and my past, and ended up stealing a car in the next state over, catching 1 more felony and 20 more years added to my sentence, for a total of 32 years (side note: the car I stole had the keys in it, I drove it 1 mile, and it was retrieved undamaged - and they wanted to give me a life sentence for that). I ended spending all of my 20s in prison, minus 6 months, and got out in 2007. Since then have had no problems with the law, but also 0 opportunities of note, and this also applies to being denied housing. In addition to the 10 years that I served, I also got through 14 years of parole, which just ended last year. I too went to college, thinking that it would open some doors for me, but quickly came to realize that my felonies outweigh any positive things I have done since. I also live in a state where getting your record expunged is not possible, ever. I'm 45 now, have never had a single thing in my name, and feel pretty hopeless about my chances in the future. Though I'm not incarcerated anymore, I feel like I've been in prison since the day I committed my first offenses and that there is no escape. I would love nothing more than to be part of society again, and have a lot I could contribute, but for a country where everyone would agree that people deserve second chances if they have served their time, I have found that the reality is the exact opposite.
harsh sentence, hope you get more luck in the future. but perhaps a permanent record is for deterrence too, if you know any felony will make you a felon for life you’ll think twice before committing one I guess
Thanks for sharing your story. I love the principles our country was founded on, but hate what it's become. I'm a non-violent felon too (drug possession). Many people don't realize that a vast majority of felons in the US are non-violent offenders. Let that sink in. Why are we telling adults what they can and cannot ingest if they are harming no one else? Lets take our freedom and constitutional rights back America! Also forgot to mention that I lost a decent job that was paying my bills, due to my legal trouble. I been out of work for 3 yrs now, and cant find another cuz of my record. Absolute BS.
I ignorantly took a plea (my lawyers advice) for felony deferred adjudication in 2018 for Aggravated Assault/Family violence. I lost my job of 22 years working as an RN. My attorney never told me that in Texas, even with the completed Deferred adjudication, the Charge will not and cannot be removed from my record. I've been unemployed since 2018. Every job has denied to me. Fast food, lawn maintenance, etc. My health is now to poor to work anything like a construction job. I'm at the end of my rope, and I fear my life as well. I cannot even find, nor afford to move into my own place. So, I am forced to live with a physically and verbally abusive female. (She was convicted of Family violence against me). Either I live here, or under a bridge. 🥺
1 job in 5 years ....got fired after missing work too much to go to mandatory probation meetings and classes... I paid my debt to society and they treat me like a pariah
If you feel that you need more money......get into construction they pay between $18 to $20 to start. Is hard in the begining but it gets easier....I do construction and roofing for Tradesmen International. They pay prevailing wage sometimes ( $65 an HR.) depending of the construction sites. Remember you can always learn the trade and do a little construction on the side like a handyman and make cash in the weekends.
I'm surprised at how many views this talk has received. I first saw this talk before my incident. I happen to have experienced something traumatic in a foreign country. The mistakes... whether they were theirs or mine will not let me live. Be strong, brothers and sister... mothers and fathers. Thank you for sharing with us, Harley.
Ugh this is so relatable. I’m trying to become a licensed therapist and I’m so afraid my felony will bar me from licensure…. I’m afraid to get myself into huge amounts of debt just to be told no I can’t help the people who need it the most. I’m afraid I will be stuck at the same dead end job making no money to be able to support my son. As a single parent, I just want to be able to give my son the life he deserves, yet my biggest fear is my son having to suffer for his mom’s past drug addiction. 😣 I can’t even get a job within the mental health field to gain some experience because of my 1 felony. I have no previous criminal record, and no post criminal record, 5 years clean, and have a phenomenal work record. Life is so hard 😢 I’m trying not to give up, but it’s just mentally exhausting to be rejected over and over again.
I understand how it feels because I was also In this kinda situation, but I got my records completely cleared. I'll appreciate a reply from you please, so I can tell you how to go about it
Contact the license board in your state regarding becoming a licensed therapist to see if there is any bar for your felony conviction before you attend any schooling and accumulate debt.
I did jail for SELLING drugs. Now I do construction. Being a felon made me a lot stronger. I made a mistake and I learned from it. We are not like the rest of the citizens who sleep on people. We are on point. We know what's going on. Now I make beautiful houses and buildings for real estate agents and regular people. Who knows I probably already made houses for Judges and D.A.'s. lol
thank you to this guy that speaking up for felons we need more people like him on our side I'm 40 years old and when I was 19 I was overcharged with two felonies would ruin my life ever since I can't get a job to save my life.If Im lucky and do get a job it's between $9 to $12 an hour which I'll have to work two or three of them to live a normal sub stained life living.I never made more than $12 an hour my whole life.
I'm a convicted felon and sinçe my release "18" years ago i still cannot get a job...I have a college degree and I've tried continuos day in and out applying for the job per my degree I get interviews offered the job and her hired once im hited here come the criminal background check and now a letter rejection in the mail from state of Sacramento stating I cannot work in the career field that I worked so hard for..I'm that 6,000,000 person who still without a job that nobody has took a chance on please help..
I'm spending Christmas Day in a halfway house in Chillicothe, Ohio because I'm a felon that just left prison in Marysville, Ohio. Although it has taken all I have to hold myself together and count my blessings today, I have managed to do something positive with my time. Call it a Christmas miracle, call it the universe delivering me just what I need...but I randomly came across this video on TH-cam while seeking career development advice. I am very inspired by your story and I am very motivated to find my purpose, get an education, develop a career and make a difference. I would love more information about getting involved with fixing America's problem! I would also like some resources/advice about where to go from here! Thanks for this video, and please help me find my direction!
I'm going through this right now.I have been pushing forward received my class a cdl and can not find employment from discrimination practices for the jobs I am qualified for do to my felony.its not easy.i appreciated this story and so many others cause I'm not alone.I went to the federal prison system for distribution charges and a past lifetime of mistakes for something I believed to be normal.transiton is difficult,fall forward is my positive self talk
harley youre an inspiration brother! god bless you! I am a felon and lived almost the same life you have. I hope to one day be able to finish school and hope to find employement like you did.
I finally just got 2 felony convictions expunged from my record in Kentucky after 15 years of living in shame. I'm so happy I could cry! I can now vote and own a gun again! Until a couple years ago you couldn't expunge a felony in Kentucky and you remained a felon for life
Sad to say I’m glad I’m not the only dealing with this. There weren’t many resources besides get any job. Most don’t pay enough for you to live alone. Take what you can and always look for better. It’s been 3 years now and still not where I was before my charge.
I got a felony when I was 18. Complete sleeve tattoos. Became a christian changed my life. Got 2 degrees working on 3. Work in the tech industry making 100k+. Dont give up keep going. The most important part is what you can control. Yourself. Your attitude perspective and how you treat others
As a felon, I think the first thing to do is to take the bold step and clear your records. That way you can be free and have access to good jobs and better lifestyles. I know there are Many people willing to clear their crime records, so they can at least get good jobs. I was one of those people, but I hired a tech guy who helped me expunge and erase my Crime records completely. Leaving no traces. Leave a reply if you're interested..
Wendy's told me they didn't care if it had been 1 yr or 100 yrs they wouldn't give me a job. I've been out of prison for 20 yrs. It's alot of stress and depression on me especially being 50 yrs old and only been to prison once but that one time was bad enough. I just wonder whether things will ever change because of everything that we see on the news with people shooting each other it will always stay the same because people are afraid and I can't blame them. But look at my record and you'd see I'm not committing any crimes and I'm being a productive citizen.
Come to NYC.... They recently adopted a no ask law. Employers are no longer allowed to ask about having a criminal record on job applications. They can only ask once your hired. And if they them hire you they have to explain why and how your felony conviction would be an obstacle to you working there. So if it's a charge for theft and the job is a construction job... It has no relevance and would not fly upon revew by the state unemployment board.
What is sad that Felony record stays for life like every time, unless if there’s a very rare circumstances. I am not a felon, but I do see that permanent record not only deter people from becoming felons. It also deter felons from making good choices.
Got mine as a minor for a non violent offense, got clean and went to college then couldn't get any jobs to complete the "internship" (job) required to graduate. Stayed clean another four years trying to get abiob using my education before going back to drugs after society clearly didn't want me reformed, sadly were a scarlet letter country
I know EXACTLY what you mean by this is a life sentence. I have a wack conviction for drinking and driving, here in Canada it doesn't matter what you offense is, we're all grouped together as one and the same and denied an equal opportunity for a humane life.
I can atest to that. I was a driver for lyft. My wife and I got into a heated argument. One of the more nosy neighbors thought to call the cops claiming they are witnessing domestic violence. The state I'm currently in (Minnesota) is what we refer to as a woman state. Meaning if it's a man suspected, even if there is no physical violence, the state policy warrants an arrested from just the call alone. Lyft deactivated me while I was in jail for 2 days. I'm still going through court hearings. Havent even been able to make it to the arraignment yet. And they put a pre-emptive standing felony on my record even though I haven't been convicted (yet). I have no criminal record in my life and my lawyer is trying to assure me that I can have it taken down to a misdemeanor with a 2 year probation since I came in with a clean record. I've just read that door dash soon enough will terminated me even though I havent been convicted yet. It's hard trying to fight off a constantly attacking depression and I'm trying not to accept that my life is over. I wish to still be with my wife but i can't do that because the court is not showing any mercy, even with her fighting the prosecutor from her side. They won't even listen to her because they are already pre-emptively treating her like a victim of manipulation. So right now, she is simply a pawn of the state to be used against me. I don't want to become suicidal because I'm a fighter, but things keep happening that seem designed to encourage somebody to give up and death is just the easier way to go. I try not to cry, but it gets harder and harder to resist.
That's great but they all still face the harshness that is the work fkrce pretty much having policies that prevent them from getting good jobs. Not everyone can start their own business to try to get by and many probably couldn't even afford it. Being released is great but getting stable work to rebuild ones life without being pretty much forced to commit another crime just to make enough money to live on is just the cruel truth of the work force.
Because of this societies lack of compassion to seal records after all conditions of conviction are met ,it makes me happy when these "law abiding citizens get a felony" for being just as capable of breaking the law by their choice. Enjoy your life long discrimination for your crime like we do.
What really gets me is the lack of logic behind the convictions and release after the dues are paid. If the person is released from prison, probation is done and all is paid for then technically and logically that person is ready to intergrade back with society; however, cons are treated like they are still a threat and or liability. If the still posses a threat then why are they out in the first place? Also, people make such a foolish and naive assumption that just because a person has a clean record that they wont commit a crime. Every felon once had a clear record lol!
yeah im a entrepenuer and have been in real estate investing for several years and cant get lending due to having a prior drug conviction making it where i have to purchase the properties and rehab them out of my own pockets 100%.. i had a investigator plant drugs on me at 18 yrs old leaving me like all felons with no opportunity so you have to create the opportunity yourself and it becomes very slim i run my own business and have great credit and capitol but am being descriminated and denied lending due to the past felony and it becomes impossible
I was charged with murder of a missing white woman and jailed for 3 years no bond… charges eventually dismissed for lack of evidence. She was found married 10years later with “ milkman”. I have never been able to get a job and I’ve had no chances in life. I’ve been wanting to end it
What's insane to think about is he's a felon, I'm not, but he 10 times better person than I am. What does that say about the state of American legal system?
As a Peer Support Specialist, working with ex-felons with Substance Use Disorders, Housing is the one thing I get stuck on. So many apartments see "felony" (ESPECIALLY if it involves drugs) and throw the application away. Where are these people supposed to live? They aren't allowed to live outside the county. I must have called dozens of apartments. I'm still looking for solutions. I have 35-40 job openings for ex-felons on my list right now - three health clinics, and two or three dentists. Not one felon-friendly apartment, and only one felon-friendly landlord.
Going through this also. I think of it as a 10 year vacation. I will have the tax payer pay for my rent and my food until I am 55 when I'll be eligible for employment. US Army 2 KIA + 1 suicide = 4 x victimless DUI
It was definitely a struggle coming home with absolutely nothing. There’s not many resources for us out there the struggle was real. I’m in Ohio too I did the same thing what the application fees
And definitely not to try and make this a race thing but it’s a lot easier to look like a felon gone good if you’re white. It is even harder when your skin or your last name is not white.
you can be determined to be the most productive person in society all you want but society don't want you if your a felon. my suggestion is lie tell nobody ur a felon cause soon as u do ur done. period. if u don't tell then they may still find out but if they don't check u might get by with it.
I still pay,EVERYDAY,for a beer run I did in 2023.was charged with an aggravated robbery for threatening the store clerk outside.wasn’t enough that I did 12years in TDC and completed my parole.I’m STILL punished for this everywhere I go.can’t even get CDL TRAINING right now because none of these schools will take me.Great video though.
I refuse to accept being a "Felon". I didn't do it. I never understand how people can do this stuff. I won't accept this fate. I will not go out and be a rehabilitated. I didn't do it! I want one thing, and that is to inflict revenge on those bastards who did this to me!!
Same issue. My life has been ruined and nearly everything taken from me. The only victim is me. I got screwed, and now live in constant shame. I'm scared of my future...
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I committed theft when I was 19. I never offended again, paid my restitution, and even got my record expunged. I’m 37 now and was just rejected from a dream job because of one mistake. Even though my record was sealed, they fingerprint for background checks and can still see sealed convictions. The system is completely broken and gatekeepers are everywhere. I feel for anyone who has been treated poorly simply because of a record. My new goal is to start my own company and give others the second chance they deserve.
what do you mean by "gatekeepers"?
If you ever get there and are in my area , I'm looking for work lol in a similar situation. 1 non violent felony and nothing else on my record. I can't seem to find anything. Hope your doing well.
Expungements are a joke! I have heard of stories like yours. Luckily, I have no criminal records.
Our system is designed to keep the poor….poor.
I have read articles and seen videos on TH-cam that expungements and "sealed records" are a joke.
Employers train themselves to think negatively; they look for any excuse to deny you something. Look at me! I have never been arrested in my life. I have had difficulty getting jobs. Why? Too much education and intelligence.
It's even worse when someone has been convicted of a crime they didn't commit.
@@jonasm9096 have you managed to create a life for yourself? my partner is in this situation and is lost in life
@@jonasm9096 PLEASE TELL ME WHERE ! WHERE IS A PLACE LIKE THIS IM HOMELESS BECAUSE I CANT GET A JOB
@@LiftBTC try construction
Hello!
Yup. Been 10yrs living with a felony that I got jammed with while they walked free. Living with hatred and anger and converting it into drive and hustle with businesses.
This is why people like us need to stick together and help each other out because we’re the only ones who can truly understand what we’re going through. They wanna make it nearly impossible to live a decent life after a past mistake by creating barriers that target the individual but if we create a community then no matter what they throw at us we can still survive.
@PL Lyons I'm not violent but only we understand because those who haven't made this mistake or have been in this unfortunate position understand how difficult it is to be given an opportunity. I do not care how minute it may be.
I think we should find an island, and send all criminals there to start a community.
Records main goal is not to make life harder of any offender but to inform the public, because no one would like to have a murderer as coworker without knowing
its about making life hard for the person not informing others@@carolinemcallister692
@@carolinemcallister692yeah but they do make life extremely hard jobs that you can easily do won’t even hire you . Places won’t let you get a apartment their etc etc .
It gets better everyone, I caught a class B felony when I was 18, did 4 in prison, 4 on parole. I learned to box, got my GED, got in the best shape of my life, and grew up. I wish it wasn't on my record anymore, it doesn't effect me nowhere near as bad, it's been 14 years. After so long, it shouldn't continue to be on your record, I believe that strongly. If you've done better, don't get in trouble for years, why's it still get used against you? Where's the incentive to do better?
There is none. They don't want justice, only more manufacturered "bad guys" to shoot at so they can feel like a hero.
@@michaelmorse4444 yup it’s a catch 22, I’ve changed my life the last 10 years I got in trouble at 19, I’m now 29, still giving me problems to expunge it even though I’ve completed therapy & outpatient programs, got my cosmetology licensed, worked with platform artists. Now I’m about to be done with med assistant school & be a certified medical assistant & it’s still haunting me, just trying to get an externship which is me working for FREE & my charges were 3rd/4th degree. I’ve helped so many in addiction & held groups & motivated many women, I feel like i have more than paid my debt.
i found an extern in cardiology!! i love it!! its a lot of work and pressure but i love it, even though im not being compensated yet, they did talk to me about hiring me! plus its great experience and im learning alot. Got the go ahead on my expungement as well! hard work pays off. blessed be everyone!!
@@Gemini_blue You can get it expunged.
What was the crime?
Coming out was hard and I struggled finding purpose but I started my own business. A landscape business. Make over 100,000 and hire struggling kids and felons.
I hope I can find my place. Was in a group home 15-17 and then 18-21 was in prison. 23 now and have struggled with the stigma the job rejections. Applied to 60 jobs this past 3 weeks only got one call back. Hope one day I can be the one giving another a chance.
@Joshua Smith To you they’re tweaks. To me they’re people who deserve a chance. I’ve had some tough times but when you do find a good worker, it’s worth it.
🎉👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
Where do you live? I’ll move rn and work for ya
great! Starting a business has to be the best way..
The best decision I ever made was going to college after incarceration. With my college degree I was able to get an apprentice electrician job . After several years of being an apprentice I took my journeyman test and passed . After that I took my masters and passed . It’s all about the little steps and being patient. It took 13 years to get where I’m at now. Don’t give up on yourself and just keep filling out applications or go to school. I never thought it was possible but on January 19th 2021my firearms rights were restored in the state of Minnesota. Anything is possible. I believe in you .
Love it Brother 💪🏼👏🏼👏🏼awesome
I got denied the ibew union apprenticeship because of my felony...
❤️🙏🏽
Non violent charge from 2006, even after college and 6 years of experience, still automatically disqualified over 200 times in 3 years.. Its a constant struggle
Josh River mine was simple drug possession. System is setup for us to fail
@@SSGT529 im not sure why drug possession is a crime though
@@SSGT529 I hear u man, ur not alone. I had a similar charge as u. Except they don't have "simple possession" in my state for the substance I allegedly got caught with. So they charge "with intent" for that drug, doesn't matter how little you possessed. I plead out to a year, cuz i was facing 7 years had I tried to take the charge to trial. I lost a decent job that paid my family's bills due to that charge, and have remained unable to find a job since. Everyone does backround checks now, and no one is willing to give anyone else a fighting chance. I dont get it. I never stole or hurt anyone else, so why do we get ostracized?
Josh River Text me I will help you bro. 7068812764
@Josh River, I know what you are going through as well. You can still do General Labor jobs if you want to (Temporary Work, Temp Pay). I started reselling/ flipping items years ago and it has helped so much. You can also do the same. Take some time to research jobs that you can do without a 9-5 job. Also you can start your own business. You have talents, just have to have faith and keep positive. Good luck to you, brother.
I'm an Ex Con and I'm getting my Bachelor's degree in Business Administration. I don't rely on the system I will open my own business in the future even if is a little chain of hotdog stands. Life is what you make of it.
But we have to be honest: most felons struggle to pay rent and get a car, nonetheless seed money to open a business. Hope is important, but so is realism. Don’t send a felon with a college with promises you can’t keep.
I'm doing the exact same thing, and I have about 2 semesters left in my BBA in accounting, after which I hope to open a business in financial services such as bookkeeping and taxation, but worst case, I'll have to figure out how to save to open some sort of franchise....whatever it takes
Good for you, Edinson.
Don't try that in Florida. Ex felons can't get business licenses here. I know from personal experience. They also can't get one in CT and MA and it's damned hard in most other states.
@Ron Gillespie I work as a Union Carpenter. There are people who rent houses without CREDIT or BACKGROUND CHECK. I don't live in a fancy house but I try to keep it nice and neat as thanks. Don't be like one of those tenants that destroy the house. Those are the ones that makes it harder for the rest of the people. It's being 10 years so I will clear my record with a Certificate of Relief.
Thank you for sharing your story. It is unfortunate that the stigma of imprisonment becomes an extension of punishment to those who have already served their time. The barriers that are placed on recently released individuals extend into their difficulties for obtaining housing, adequate transportation, maintaining a stable job, having a positive social support system, etc. Some folks also may have parole guidelines or curfews that they must abide by post-release. Conversations about the stigma attached to having been a ‘felon’ are definitely needed to allow people to successfully reintegrate into society.
Felon. My life has hit a point where I question why even go on anymore. I have always had the mindset to never give up no matter how hard i think I have it, someone has it worse. But my battle I think now it futile. I don't want to be another suicide statistic. But i also don't want to do this.
I can relate to this.
Im sorry you're feeling this way. Im in a similar situation. No one is gonna hire me, love me, give me a place to live. I struggle everyday not blowing my brains out
Philip, it’s cliche but sometimes, you just don’t know how good your life could be in your future. Never give up. And also, find someone or some people to help. It will change your life. It changed mine.
It's all good. I'm in a better spot today. Getting clean and staying clean helps a ton. I'm not a quitter and I never will be, but still, as far as felons go...I feel things need to change. Non violent felonies, or ones without victims, should go up for review after a certain time having no legal issues WITHOUT having to pay to expunge or seal, I should be able to get an apartment have a firearm, just like anyone else. I've paid my dues and put in my time and work. Whats the point of it all then in the end? Just don't get it. And its not about being fair...its about whats RIGHT. Thats all...
Don’t give up, things need to change this is a form of a oppression very sad
Most importantly, why should our mistake punish our family ? This problem tumbles through many generations and they don’t see it . Our children should not be effected by something held above their parents head for the rest of their life . I wake up everyday thinking how I can do something impactful for my children , something they would be proud of . I just want to give them a small house and a backyard one day .
Thanks for standing up
Joseph Saunders I have been a felon for 20 years and I’m not gonna lie. It’s been hard. I have two children and a wife. I work a full time HR job and just bought my first house a few years ago. You can do it. Don’t ever give up. Keep working hard and keep your faith in god. Being a good father and husband is something we all can do even if we are labeled by society and that is the most important thing that your children will remember you and be proud of you for. Wishing the best for you and yours.
-fellow felon
Got an interview today for a job that offers a great salary. They called and asked about my background yesterday and because I was 100% honest I still have the interview. Anyone out there struggling with finding work, just be honest and accept that rejection is in everyone's life. Accept who you are and own your past. Don't let it define your future. Much love.
I did have my interview and was offered the job by the employer I was honest and they did hire me it was the state of California who sent me a letter stating that I couldn't work for the company due to my felony...the employer who hired me was a lil upset at the state for that one to because they really wanted me to come work for their company. My conviction was non vilonent nor drug related it was RSP
We don't let our past define our future. Its the employers that allow our past to define our future. 100+ apps in the last 6 months. Nothing...
Don't accept that the charge is who you are. That's BS
You do have to be honest. No matter what
Never went to a interview were I wasn't hired,,until today.I was honest about my felony and was denied the job....this is so discouraging.
I pray that this becomes a billion dollar business. He would be one rich person that would care for the little people.
Just got out of jail and I’m a violent felon, I’m only 21 and now my track record has ruined most chances of getting a good job, it’s crazy how a felony can turn your life upside down...makes you want to sell drugs again who wants to make $9 an hour at the wimpy burger
I feel bad for you try a pardon
Bro.....try to open a small business. Think like an entrepreneur. If the system don't help.... be creative. I used to power wash businesses for $100. And got it done in 1 hour or less.
Yes I agree with opening a small business. I have a mobile detailing business and I get payed more then most hood jobs. Yeah your right it’s not worth it to make money to pay it back to bills because your working a low minimum wage job.
You have a long hard life speaking from experience
@edwoodstock79 > TFW most small businesses fail within the first 5 years due to those 5 years being nothing but consecutive losses
Sure thing Robert Kiyosaki. Being a successful Start up is literally like winning the lottery.
Going through this situation here in Florida. People don’t seem to understand. They just think because it’s easy for them to find a job that everyone else can as well. I started my own videography business but the work isn’t consistent enough to survive off of. Having a felony definitely does feel like a secret life sentence.
You're so right
I’m a 24 yo ex-felon and I made up my mind to do better and now i make over $200k/a year and a Business Owner. You just have to hang in there and take the path of least resistance.
Amen brother🙏☝💯
Pascual Avalos I own a trucking company. 👌🏽
My felonies are over 10 years old, I have a cdl permit and dot physical but no one will hire me.
Tony Wiggins Go back to school to actually get your CDL. The. You can find hundreds of jobs.
@Dee Lavish is there anywhere I can contact you? Going through something similar and would love to hear your full story if you are willing?
Come to NYC.... They recently adopted a no ask law. Employers are no longer allowed to ask about having a criminal record on job applications. They can only ask once your hired. And if they them hire you they have to explain why and how your felony conviction would be an obstacle to you working there. So if it's a charge for theft and the job is a construction job... It has no relevance and would not fly upon revew by the state unemployment board.
When has this law been passed?
Im moving to New York
Can felons even afford to live in NYC that's the question
They still can do background checks so there is no way around them not finding out 😔
A lot of time they do background checks when you submit an application. They have their own personal background check account, kind of like if you wanted to background check a tenant you were going to rent a room to or a boyfriend your daughter starts seeing. So they background check you before anything else.
This hit home.. Im an ex felon from 26 years ago and have a extremely hard time to find work. Whats even worse what work i had back then i was a addict. Now that I've been clean for years i can't even get work, not even in a booming economy, not even in a bottom-of-the-barrel jobs. I understand why ex cons resort back to drug dealing and stealing.. Being an ex-con of ANY kind of felon is a life sentence no matter what anyone tells you. Trust me I know.
same here
Absolutely fu**ing ridiculous that there is still discrimination in this day and age. So many young able men to work and this is what we do??? Just shameful!
@Tina Tinen we'd be the perfect ones for working in prisons but it's so much unjust and discrimination going on now... I hope we get our rights to work anywhere and be treated equally
@@jesuschristislordofmeandmy5122 I can only pray most of humanity will wake up and realize how cruel the justice system is. That one day sooner rather than later all felons will be able to actually work good to great paying jobs without restrictions and actually rebuild a better life.
@Tom Pinske What are they to do if they are violent offenders? Waste away as a burden on their families or the state? Just keep in mind that punching someone in the face in highschool can leave someone with a violent felony conviction for the rest of their life! I am a believer that there are no bad people there are only people who do bad things.
@Tom Pinske non violent felonies and violent felonies both need to be let back into the workforce. Except child rapists.
@Tom Pinske If what you are talking about that selling drugs is non violent. I disagree. Drugs easy wind up in the hands of kids. Kids die everyday by OD.
I have a misdemeanor from 12 years ago and no one will hire me, after getting rejected hundreds of times you just sit there and cry because theirs no hope. Makes me truly sad. Feel like it's the same as being a felon
A misdemeanor is way better than felony. With felony you cant even deliver for Amazon, with misdemeanor you can.
@@mfgunit this is very true!!
Stay strong, fam. It is up to us to prove that we are more than what society thinks of us. Peace be upon thee
Misdemeanor I thought that goes of your record after 7 years.
@@alfx5432 Not in FL
Several mistakes made in my youth have cost me dearly I'm now in my 40s haven't even had a traffic ticket the last two decades and squeaky clean but I've endured years of being denied jobs after background checks. Not to mention I permanently lost my second amendment rights to protect my family. I can't even legally own a Taser. I'm not complaining I just know there's a lot of people in this country in the same situation I hope we can come together and fix it at some point. This country has so many laws you can't even step outside without breaking one even if you cross the street inappropriately you're asking for trouble... It's sickening I definitely don't feel like we live in a free country.
Smh my conviction is ten years old and I can't get a break. I was a mother, wife, homeowner and teacher. All gone now and never coming back. I can't even get back into school. I earn $15 an hour and barely survive. My children deserve better.
Where do you work and for who?
It will get better please keep hope
@@Harvardseye I hate it when people say this
@@mollyjane4628 I mean ppl fall on hard times she must be doing better now
Mary, how are you doing today? Much good wishes
I can so relate. I'm honest about my background. Just a month ago I got hired in a great position. No where on the online application did it ask about my background. I started, filled out all the new hire paperwork, which also said nothing. I spoke to the HR colleague and told her the truth about my past. She questioned me asked me why & what happened & I was honest and told her. She then asked me leave & I complied. She called the next day and said "they're sorry but unable to move forward with my employment" She said "but we believe in second chances so I urge you to apply again in the future" (blew my mind) It's so hard. I've tried everything, I'm super discouraged but trying not to give up.
wtf is the difference in applying in the future? tf lmao
My felony is over 30 years old for a controlled substance violation the problem is when they pull your record they look at this like you just committed this 2 weeks ago they don't even consider multiple decades have passed with a clean record.
Sad. Me too
And chances are they're liberal Democrats. I've had more hardcore staunchly uppety Republicans treat me better
This video brought tears to my eyes. I appreciate your effort to help those in our position
I hear it time and time again: "How can people move on if you won't let them?" I genuinely believe it is the individual's responsibility to keep trying as hard as they can. But, that being said, it never ceases to disgust me the number of people who proclaim to be followers of a faith with forgiveness and redemption at it's very core, who seem completely oblivious to their own hypocrisy when it comes to applying that to anyone with any kind of negative history. America became a great nation because of people searching for second chances. Our deterioration is, in large part, because we've forgotten that.
Story of my life as well. I got in trouble when I was 19, in 1997, for vandalism and theft charges, and was given a 12 year prison sentence, eligible for parole after serving 30% of it. I served 3 1/2 years, got out for 6 months but with no opportunities and facing violating parole for not maintaining employment I tried to flee my state and my past, and ended up stealing a car in the next state over, catching 1 more felony and 20 more years added to my sentence, for a total of 32 years (side note: the car I stole had the keys in it, I drove it 1 mile, and it was retrieved undamaged - and they wanted to give me a life sentence for that). I ended spending all of my 20s in prison, minus 6 months, and got out in 2007. Since then have had no problems with the law, but also 0 opportunities of note, and this also applies to being denied housing. In addition to the 10 years that I served, I also got through 14 years of parole, which just ended last year. I too went to college, thinking that it would open some doors for me, but quickly came to realize that my felonies outweigh any positive things I have done since. I also live in a state where getting your record expunged is not possible, ever. I'm 45 now, have never had a single thing in my name, and feel pretty hopeless about my chances in the future. Though I'm not incarcerated anymore, I feel like I've been in prison since the day I committed my first offenses and that there is no escape. I would love nothing more than to be part of society again, and have a lot I could contribute, but for a country where everyone would agree that people deserve second chances if they have served their time, I have found that the reality is the exact opposite.
harsh sentence, hope you get more luck in the future. but perhaps a permanent record is for deterrence too, if you know any felony will make you a felon for life you’ll think twice before committing one I guess
@@carolinemcallister692and to your comment, I'd say fakiyu. And may you live long and miserable.
@@carolinemcallister692nobody tryna hear that 💩 and folks wonder why most go back to life of crime and rob any and everyone just to survive 🙄
Felons Unite. After my fed supervision is done, I'm going to law school. Stay strong brothers.
Good ideal . We need to build a social network. I'm not suer if I will be a felon. But it's heartbreaking hearing all these stories.
Thanks for sharing your story. I love the principles our country was founded on, but hate what it's become. I'm a non-violent felon too (drug possession). Many people don't realize that a vast majority of felons in the US are non-violent offenders. Let that sink in. Why are we telling adults what they can and cannot ingest if they are harming no one else? Lets take our freedom and constitutional rights back America!
Also forgot to mention that I lost a decent job that was paying my bills, due to my legal trouble. I been out of work for 3 yrs now, and cant find another cuz of my record. Absolute BS.
I dont cry a lot. But this hit some spots close to home in my life. Thank you.
Same.
I ignorantly took a plea (my lawyers advice) for felony deferred adjudication in 2018 for Aggravated Assault/Family violence. I lost my job of 22 years working as an RN. My attorney never told me that in Texas, even with the completed Deferred adjudication, the Charge will
not and cannot be removed from my record. I've been unemployed since 2018. Every job has denied to me. Fast food, lawn maintenance, etc. My health is now to poor to work anything like a construction job. I'm at the end of my rope, and I fear my life as well. I cannot even find, nor afford to move into my own place. So, I am forced to live with a physically and verbally abusive female. (She was convicted of Family violence against me). Either I live here, or under a bridge. 🥺
1 job in 5 years ....got fired after missing work too much to go to mandatory probation meetings and classes...
I paid my debt to society and they treat me like a pariah
We live in an Unforgiving society that categorizes and labels people.
I’m actually going through this currently
If you feel that you need more money......get into construction they pay between $18 to $20 to start. Is hard in the begining but it gets easier....I do construction and roofing for Tradesmen International. They pay prevailing wage sometimes ( $65 an HR.) depending of the construction sites. Remember you can always learn the trade and do a little construction on the side like a handyman and make cash in the weekends.
@@edwoodstock79 if you had a mind, then get a felony, construction is something that you hate.
You are not alone my friend 🤓
Your not alone
Me too brotha.
I'm surprised at how many views this talk has received. I first saw this talk before my incident. I happen to have experienced something traumatic in a foreign country. The mistakes... whether they were theirs or mine will not let me live. Be strong, brothers and sister... mothers and fathers. Thank you for sharing with us, Harley.
Great talk. Professional, educational, informative. Well done! Thank you for sharing your story!
Thank you, Amy!
This is very encouraging. I’ve been wondering if pursuing a degree in family studies is even worth it bc I have a murky background .
I’m a single father and my record is 10 years old as well and it’s so hard for me to find a job it’s frustrating I just wanna better my life
Ugh this is so relatable. I’m trying to become a licensed therapist and I’m so afraid my felony will bar me from licensure…. I’m afraid to get myself into huge amounts of debt just to be told no I can’t help the people who need it the most. I’m afraid I will be stuck at the same dead end job making no money to be able to support my son. As a single parent, I just want to be able to give my son the life he deserves, yet my biggest fear is my son having to suffer for his mom’s past drug addiction. 😣 I can’t even get a job within the mental health field to gain some experience because of my 1 felony. I have no previous criminal record, and no post criminal record, 5 years clean, and have a phenomenal work record. Life is so hard 😢 I’m trying not to give up, but it’s just mentally exhausting to be rejected over and over again.
I understand how it feels because I was also In this kinda situation, but I got my records completely cleared. I'll appreciate a reply from you please, so I can tell you how to go about it
👆👆👆👆
You can give him a try.. He helped me expunge mine too
Contact the license board in your state regarding becoming a licensed therapist to see if there is any bar for your felony conviction before you attend any schooling and accumulate debt.
This is beautiful, gives hope to those in the same predicament. There’s life after your past mistakes.
Not really. My life ended 10 years ago when I was charged. A $15 per hour warehouse job is hardly a career.
I did jail for SELLING drugs. Now I do construction. Being a felon made me a lot stronger. I made a mistake and I learned from it. We are not like the rest of the citizens who sleep on people. We are on point. We know what's going on. Now I make beautiful houses and buildings for real estate agents and regular people. Who knows I probably already made houses for Judges and D.A.'s. lol
@@edwoodstock79 any connections in va?
thank you to this guy that speaking up for felons we need more people like him on our side I'm 40 years old and when I was 19 I was overcharged with two felonies would ruin my life ever since I can't get a job to save my life.If Im lucky and do get a job it's between $9 to $12 an hour which I'll have to work two or three of them to live a normal sub stained life living.I never made more than $12 an hour my whole life.
Stay strong Pete
I'm a convicted felon and sinçe my release "18" years ago i still cannot get a job...I have a college degree and I've tried continuos day in and out applying for the job per my degree I get interviews offered the job and her hired once im hited here come the criminal background check and now a letter rejection in the mail from state of Sacramento stating I cannot work in the career field that I worked so hard for..I'm that 6,000,000 person who still without a job that nobody has took a chance on please help..
Sounds easy but it’s not successful. To many are doing that. If you don’t have money to draw people’s attention then it’s not going to work.
I'm spending Christmas Day in a halfway house in Chillicothe, Ohio because I'm a felon that just left prison in Marysville, Ohio. Although it has taken all I have to hold myself together and count my blessings today, I have managed to do something positive with my time.
Call it a Christmas miracle, call it the universe delivering me just what I need...but I randomly came across this video on TH-cam while seeking career development advice.
I am very inspired by your story and I am very motivated to find my purpose, get an education, develop a career and make a difference.
I would love more information about getting involved with fixing America's problem! I would also like some resources/advice about where to go from here! Thanks for this video, and please help me find my direction!
I'm going through this right now.I have been pushing forward received my class a cdl and can not find employment from discrimination practices for the jobs I am qualified for do to my felony.its not easy.i appreciated this story and so many others cause I'm not alone.I went to the federal prison system for distribution charges and a past lifetime of mistakes for something I believed to be normal.transiton is difficult,fall forward is my positive self talk
Mom and pop companies, owner operators, box trucks, and dump truck companies in your area will help out.
I have 7 felonies and they have never held me back from anything.
Man your story got me having hope man thank you 😊
Budweiser sellers good, weed sellers bad
Say it again!!
Preach it brother! Keep up the good work!
harley youre an inspiration brother! god bless you! I am a felon and lived almost the same life you have. I hope to one day be able to finish school and hope to find employement like you did.
I finally just got 2 felony convictions expunged from my record in Kentucky after 15 years of living in shame. I'm so happy I could cry! I can now vote and own a gun again! Until a couple years ago you couldn't expunge a felony in Kentucky and you remained a felon for life
Sad to say I’m glad I’m not the only dealing with this. There weren’t many resources besides get any job. Most don’t pay enough for you to live alone. Take what you can and always look for better. It’s been 3 years now and still not where I was before my charge.
I got a felony when I was 18. Complete sleeve tattoos. Became a christian changed my life. Got 2 degrees working on 3. Work in the tech industry making 100k+. Dont give up keep going. The most important part is what you can control. Yourself. Your attitude perspective and how you treat others
As a felon, I think the first thing to do is to take the bold step and clear your records. That way you can be free and have access to good jobs and better lifestyles.
I know there are Many people willing to clear their crime records, so they can at least get good jobs. I was one of those people, but I hired a tech guy who helped me expunge and erase my Crime records completely. Leaving no traces. Leave a reply if you're interested..
👆👆👆👆
You can give him a try.. He helped me expunge mine too
@@nashmason65 here
Wendy's told me they didn't care if it had been 1 yr or 100 yrs they wouldn't give me a job. I've been out of prison for 20 yrs. It's alot of stress and depression on me especially being 50 yrs old and only been to prison once but that one time was bad enough. I just wonder whether things will ever change because of everything that we see on the news with people shooting each other it will always stay the same because people are afraid and I can't blame them. But look at my record and you'd see I'm not committing any crimes and I'm being a productive citizen.
Come to NYC.... They recently adopted a no ask law. Employers are no longer allowed to ask about having a criminal record on job applications. They can only ask once your hired. And if they them hire you they have to explain why and how your felony conviction would be an obstacle to you working there. So if it's a charge for theft and the job is a construction job... It has no relevance and would not fly upon revew by the state unemployment board.
An ex felon is a felon for life..it must change.
What is sad that Felony record stays for life like every time, unless if there’s a very rare circumstances.
I am not a felon, but I do see that permanent record not only deter people from becoming felons. It also deter felons from making good choices.
Thank You Harley
Something like this needs to be done in Scotland too
Just finished my testimony on this on my page life as a felon is rough . But it gets better.
VERY Sad story. God be with you.....
Got mine as a minor for a non violent offense, got clean and went to college then couldn't get any jobs to complete the "internship" (job) required to graduate.
Stayed clean another four years trying to get abiob using my education before going back to drugs after society clearly didn't want me reformed, sadly were a scarlet letter country
I know EXACTLY what you mean by this is a life sentence. I have a wack conviction for drinking and driving, here in Canada it doesn't matter what you offense is, we're all grouped together as one and the same and denied an equal opportunity for a humane life.
Equal opportunity employer does not count for felons. Learned that the hard way.
you don't even have to be a convicted felon to deal with these issues
I can atest to that. I was a driver for lyft. My wife and I got into a heated argument. One of the more nosy neighbors thought to call the cops claiming they are witnessing domestic violence. The state I'm currently in (Minnesota) is what we refer to as a woman state. Meaning if it's a man suspected, even if there is no physical violence, the state policy warrants an arrested from just the call alone. Lyft deactivated me while I was in jail for 2 days. I'm still going through court hearings. Havent even been able to make it to the arraignment yet. And they put a pre-emptive standing felony on my record even though I haven't been convicted (yet). I have no criminal record in my life and my lawyer is trying to assure me that I can have it taken down to a misdemeanor with a 2 year probation since I came in with a clean record. I've just read that door dash soon enough will terminated me even though I havent been convicted yet. It's hard trying to fight off a constantly attacking depression and I'm trying not to accept that my life is over. I wish to still be with my wife but i can't do that because the court is not showing any mercy, even with her fighting the prosecutor from her side. They won't even listen to her because they are already pre-emptively treating her like a victim of manipulation. So right now, she is simply a pawn of the state to be used against me. I don't want to become suicidal because I'm a fighter, but things keep happening that seem designed to encourage somebody to give up and death is just the easier way to go. I try not to cry, but it gets harder and harder to resist.
That's a life sentence for anyone else
Yesterday 3,100 felons were released from prisons across the USA. Second chance for felons!!!
That's great but they all still face the harshness that is the work fkrce pretty much having policies that prevent them from getting good jobs. Not everyone can start their own business to try to get by and many probably couldn't even afford it. Being released is great but getting stable work to rebuild ones life without being pretty much forced to commit another crime just to make enough money to live on is just the cruel truth of the work force.
Because of this societies lack of compassion to seal records after all conditions of conviction are met ,it makes me happy when these "law abiding citizens get a felony" for being just as capable of breaking the law by their choice.
Enjoy your life long discrimination for your crime like we do.
This is my life thank you
Going through this now & have been since 2016, got 2 more years to go and don’t know how I’m going to make it! 🙏🏽
Michael Jackson: You, my brother, are not alone.
What really gets me is the lack of logic behind the convictions and release after the dues are paid. If the person is released from prison, probation is done and all is paid for then technically and logically that person is ready to intergrade back with society; however, cons are treated like they are still a threat and or liability. If the still posses a threat then why are they out in the first place?
Also, people make such a foolish and naive assumption that just because a person has a clean record that they wont commit a crime. Every felon once had a clear record lol!
I wish I could just find a job. A job that will pay me enough to live on by myself.
Thank you
Wow im trying to get this job at walmart and I have felonies. I hope you guys get blessed
yeah im a entrepenuer and have been in real estate investing for several years and cant get lending due to having a prior drug conviction making it where i have to purchase the properties and rehab them out of my own pockets 100%.. i had a investigator plant drugs on me at 18 yrs old leaving me like all felons with no opportunity so you have to create the opportunity yourself and it becomes very slim i run my own business and have great credit and capitol but am being descriminated and denied lending due to the past felony and it becomes impossible
I was charged with murder of a missing white woman and jailed for 3 years no bond… charges eventually dismissed for lack of evidence. She was found married 10years later with “ milkman”. I have never been able to get a job and I’ve had no chances in life. I’ve been wanting to end it
You should get a pardon/expungement
Come to europe, in many countries criminal records have a expire date if no crimes have been committed.
They dont want you to leave america
hey rashad here so much good advice from all you,thanx,
What's insane to think about is he's a felon, I'm not, but he 10 times better person than I am. What does that say about the state of American legal system?
It's horrible
How do i find housing?
What happens with people rejecting housing, rental or even purchase in the USA?
I’m a 26 year old ex felon and I feel like having a felony got me suicidal
Ha, try having one for 10 years since 20
As a Peer Support Specialist, working with ex-felons with Substance Use Disorders, Housing is the one thing I get stuck on. So many apartments see "felony" (ESPECIALLY if it involves drugs) and throw the application away. Where are these people supposed to live? They aren't allowed to live outside the county. I must have called dozens of apartments.
I'm still looking for solutions. I have 35-40 job openings for ex-felons on my list right now - three health clinics, and two or three dentists.
Not one felon-friendly apartment, and only one felon-friendly landlord.
How can the VA help with housing if you're a veteran and felon as well?
Thank you!! 👏👏👏👏
He said $35 for a apartment application try 150-200$ here in Texas
Going through this also. I think of it as a 10 year vacation. I will have the tax payer pay for my rent and my food until I am 55 when I'll be eligible for employment. US Army 2 KIA + 1 suicide = 4 x victimless DUI
I pray to the Lord every day and I'm stool struggling big time...i truly need help.
I see someone just like me. ❤️ ❤️ ❤️
It was definitely a struggle coming home with absolutely nothing. There’s not many resources for us out there the struggle was real. I’m in Ohio too I did the same thing what the application fees
INFO FOR US VIOLENT FELONS PLEASE THANK YOU AND GOD BLESS YOU
When he said Chatham county narcs I felt it
he's a narc
And definitely not to try and make this a race thing but it’s a lot easier to look like a felon gone good if you’re white. It is even harder when your skin or your last name is not white.
Doesnt matter if your willing to work. If your a felon. Your done. It seems...
you can be determined to be the most productive person in society all you want but society don't want you if your a felon. my suggestion is lie tell nobody ur a felon cause soon as u do ur done. period. if u don't tell then they may still find out but if they don't check u might get by with it.
yeah you got to do what you got to do to survive
I still pay,EVERYDAY,for a beer run I did in 2023.was charged with an aggravated robbery for threatening the store clerk outside.wasn’t enough that I did 12years in TDC and completed my parole.I’m STILL punished for this everywhere I go.can’t even get CDL TRAINING right now because none of these schools will take me.Great video though.
Only thing left for felons is Anarchy
Great video 🙏
Im on home confinement and having a difficult time getting a decent job. I spent 3 years down over drug conspiracy. It’s hard out here
The AI binning algorithm has made it nearly impossible to get a job if it is a company hiring through them. Has gotten awful since the pandemic.
I refuse to accept being a "Felon". I didn't do it. I never understand how people can do this stuff. I won't accept this fate. I will not go out and be a rehabilitated.
I didn't do it! I want one thing, and that is to inflict revenge on those bastards who did this to me!!
Same here
Same issue. My life has been ruined and nearly everything taken from me. The only victim is me. I got screwed, and now live in constant shame. I'm scared of my future...
27 percent unemployment is where we are headed in the us with corona
How about housing you are basically on the street
Good luck to all ex felons throughout the states. After all it is a life sentence in or out of jail, recidivism at it's finest smh... Is not easy.