Tag Archives: criminal record

HUD’s new rules may have major impact on affordable housing for people with criminal records

Last week was celebrated for President Obama’s encouragement for America to reduce employment discrimination against people with past records, and his own executive action to ban the box on federal job applications. The heart of that story is how directly … Continue reading

Posted in Drug Policy, Housing, Movement Building, Politics, Reentry | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

On Finishing Law School for the Education- Not the Law License

With only a few more months of law school, it is time to contemplate what to do next.  I know that I won’t take the Bar exam and won’t be a lawyer.  “Why,” you ask?  I knew before I started … Continue reading

Posted in Education | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Dear Gov. Chafee: Sign Ban the Box!

Dear Governor Chafee, Yesterday, mere hours before the House passed “Ban the Box” (5507A) by a 62-3 vote, I spoke with a friend who had been told by a temp agency he is “toxic,” and they could never hire him. … Continue reading

Posted in Employment, Legislation | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Action Packed Hearing on Public Housing and Criminal Convictions

The public hearing held at Housing Authority of New Orleans (HANO), regarding criminal convictions, turned out to be three hours of praise, criticism, education, and a whole lot more from roughly 200 people.  For some, January 22nd was the first … Continue reading

Posted in Actions, Employment, Housing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

New Orleans to Re-Write Policy on Housing and Criminal Convictions

After months of pushing the Housing Authority of New Orleans (HANO) regarding a specific change in their Admissions and Evictions policies, a public hearing is scheduled for tomorrow night (Tues. 1/22/13), at HANO, 4100 Touro Street.  This effort was spearheaded … Continue reading

Posted in Actions, Commentary, Drug Policy, Housing, Rehabilitation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Testify: US Commission on Civil Rights Tackles Employment Discrimination

The federal government is not done developing the law around discrimination against people with criminal records, particularly as the Disparate Impact on people of Color has been rampant.  They are accepting testimony until January 21st.  Our friends at National Employment … Continue reading

Posted in Actions, Commentary, Employment, Legislation, prison economics, Race, Rehabilitation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

65 Million “Need Not Apply” – Is it Time for Boycotts?

A report released yesterday by National Employment Law Project (NELP) confirms that many companies are instituting blanket bans on hiring people with criminal records, including those with misdemeanors.  Creating what is an public safety issue and, if reforms are not … Continue reading

Posted in prison economics, Rehabilitation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment