Thursday, July 29, 2010

CORI reform: is this the year?



Can't even tell you how often people stop into Arise trying to figure out how to get a job and housing when they have a  past criminal record. 

And CORI's don't just cover convictions.  Ever been arrested and then had the charges dropped, or gone to court and been found not guilty?  It'll be on your record for future employers to see.  (Actually, that part-- removing arrests that don't lead to convictions-- isn't even part of the reform effort.)

Associated Industries of Massachusetts, which represents employers, objects to the part of the proposed changes which would prohibit  a check-off boxes about CORIs on a job application.  But what's the big deal?  Nothing prevents the employer from asking about a past criminal record during an interview.  Under the current system, many applicants don't even get that far.

Time for change!

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