What is it about?
The article briefly discusses tools and strategies which can be used by people with mental challenges, their families, and their service providers to mitigate the employment barriers created by a criminal history.
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Why is it important?
Working is a critical goal for these folks, a large proportion of whom have records of criminal offenses, and even more have arrest records. Readily available on the internet, these records increase job barriers due to legal restrictions and employers’ attitudes. The article discusses legal reforms to lower some of the restrictions, as well as mechanisms available to seal or limit the impact of these records. The focus then shifts to strategies to assist individuals address such records on job applications and in job interviews. In addition, the article discusses the overlooked need to plan for the common problems which can interfere with job retention.
Perspectives
Legal tools to address these records are sometime helpful, but the process is often slow, complicated and expensive. From our program development work in the area, a focus on a) preparing for job applications / interviews and b) anticipating and planning for job retention problems can be a more effective use of time and energy.
Stephan Haimowitz
Syracuse University
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Law & Psychiatry: Assisting People in Recovery Who Have Criminal Records to Reach Their Employment Goals, Psychiatric Services, April 2014, American Psychiatric Association,
DOI: 10.1176/appi.ps.201400030.
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