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CLOSED DOOR- THE EFFECT OF A CRIMINAL RECORD ON EMPLOYMENT WITH STATE AND LOCAL PUBLIC AGENCIES

NCJ Number
8985
Author(s)
H S MILLER
Date Published
1972
Length
252 pages
Annotation
SURVEY OF STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT STATUTORY PROVISIONS AND POLICIES ON EX-OFFENDER EMPLOYMENT.
Abstract
A SURVEY OF STATE AND LOCAL JURISDICTIONS WAS MADE TO DETERMINE STATUTORY PROVISIONS AND POLICIES ON EX-OFFENDER EMPLOYMENT, WITH EMPHASIS ON THE CIVIL SERVICE AT THE STATE AND LOCAL LEVELS. NUMEROUS LEGAL, ADMINISTRATIVE, AND CUSTOMARY OBSTACLES WERE FOUND TO EXIST REGARDING THE EMPLOYMENT OF PERSONS HAVING ANY KIND OF CRIMINAL RECORD, INCLUDING JUVENILE RECORDS WHICH ARE SUPPOSEDLY CONFIDENTIAL. AN ARREST RECORD NOT FOLLOWED BY A CONVICTION WAS DISCOVERED TO BE A BAR TO EMPLOYMENT AT TIMES. THE RESEARCH ALSO COVERED THE FOLLOWING AREAS EMPLOYER INQUIRIES AND THE CONFIDENTIALITY OF JUVENILE RECORDS, JOB APPLICATION FORMS REQUESTING INFORMATION ABOUT CRIMINAL RECORDS, ANNULMENT AND EXPUNGEMENT STATUTES, AND CIVIL SERVICE PROCEDURES AND EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR HIRING EX-OFFENDERS. THE RESEARCHERS CONCLUDED THAT EXISTING STATUTES FOR ANNULLING AND EXPUNGING CRIMINAL RECORDS ARE INADEQUATE AND OFFER SEVERAL RECOMMENDATIONS INCLUDING MODEL STATE LAWS TO REMEDY THESE AND OTHER DEFICIENCIES THAT WERE DISCOVERED. APPENDED MATERIAL INCLUDES CHARTS SHOWING THE STATUS OF JUVENILE STATUTES, CIVIL SERVICE STATUTES, LICENSING RESTRICTIONS, AND EXPUNGEMENT STATUTES IN THE VARIOUS STATES. THE FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THIS REPORT WILL BE OF INTEREST TO STATE AND LOCAL ADMINISTRATORS IN CHARGE OF PERSONNEL SELECTION, AS WELL AS THOSE WORKING WITH EX-OFFENDERS.