Saying it wants to give ex-convicts a second chance, Baltimore City will no longer require job-seekers to disclose criminal records on applications.
The policy approved Wednesday will allow applicants to apply for city jobs without initially disclosing past convictions. Before the policy change, applicants were required to check a box if they had been convicted of crimes.
Mayor Sheila Dixon touted the program as a way to encourage people with criminal records to seek gainful employment.
“It?s an opportunity for people to start over,” she said. “We are looking to give people an opportunity to at least apply.”
The policy will formally remove the “box” applicants with criminal records must check, but will not apply to jobs deemed sensitive.
“All agencies are allowed to set their own policies on designating positions of trust,” said Sterling Clifford, spokesman for the mayor. “The police and fire departments already deem all their job to be sensitive so there will be little change there.”
The new policy does not entirely do away with requirements that applicants must disclose their records, Sterling said.
“It gives them a chance to explain it later on in the hiring process.”
Kimberly Haven, executive director of Justice Maryland, an organization that advocates for prisoners rights, said the new policy will help former convicts get back into the mainstream of the community.
“I think this is a critical program,” Haven said. “Without the opportunity to earn a living and provide for your family, we are barring people from contributing and becoming productive citizens again.”
Haven said finding a job can be extremely difficult for ex-offenders.
“I?ve had people who can?t find a job say to me I don?t have a job I have to go backinside, because I can?t make it.”
The new policy includes provisions for a panel that will review and update sensitive positions, Clifford said.
