To: The Pennsylvania State Senate
Second Chance for Convicted Felons
It's unfair that employers can see charges that were dismissed or thrown out and you were found not guilty. And it's unfair that they discriminate against only by what they see on paper. They don't care that you paid your debt to society. And now you want to come and be treated equal according to experience and knowledge in the work field like everybody else. Why do I have to continue to be punished for a mistake of my past? I want to move forward and give back to society in a postive manner and live. And also be able to support my family and get out of poverty where I don't need to rely on goverment funding for help. Everyone deserves a second chance and some people have been charged unlawfully because of lack of money for representation. They have been railroaded by the legal system and we need the help of the people to make it right.
Why is this important?
I am starting this petition because I have been discriminated against because of a criminal record I have. I've been trying to get employment for almost 2 yrs. to no avail. No one will hire me because of my criminal background. I am on the verge of being homeless. I have no income to pay my bills and I'm currently in school. I have been released from jail since 2008 and have worked in Washington, PA area. Also before my arrest I obtained my associate degree in Business. I have education and work experience and great work ethics. But no one can see that past this criminal record which has crippled me. I just want a fair chance like everybody else and not have to keep paying for my past mistakes over and over again. And especially all the charges that were dismissed or I was found not guilty of are on my criminal record. Employers should not see charges that have been dismissed or thrown out. They should only see charges that you have been found guilty of. Because when they see all the charges, they're not looking at the fact that they was dismissed. They are discriminating according to charges, not convictions. And they don't care about the good work record you have with other employers in the past, or references.