These promising results, while only a small sample, suggest that certificates of recovery/relief may be an effective avenue for lessening the stigma of a criminal record for ex-offenders seeking employment. Importantly, certificate-holders and their counterparts with clean criminal backgrounds were equally likely to receive an interview invitation or job offer. Results indicate that, for job seekers with a one-year-old felony drug conviction, having a certificate of recovery increases the likelihood of receiving an interview invitation or job offer more than threefold. Because the only differences between the resumes were the type of criminal record and the presence of a Certificate of Qualification for Employment (CQE), the results isolate the specific impacts of criminal records and certificates on employment opportunities. Using an experimental correspondence design, fictitious applicants applied to entry-level jobs advertised in the Columbus metropolitan area using fabricated resumes with identical names, educational backgrounds, employment experience, and skills. The present study presents the results of the first empirical test of the effectiveness of such certificates. In recognition of employment-related barriers to re-entry, some state legislatures have created certificates of recovery/relief, which lift occupational licensing restrictions, limit employer liability for negligent hiring claims, and aim to ensure employment decisions about certificate-holders are made on a case-by-case basis. Yet, obtaining gainful employment is difficult for ex-offenders due to the stigma of a criminal record. Securing stable, quality employment is one of the most robust predictors of desistance from offending. Such schemes have to date been justified on the basis of assumptions and anecdotal evidence, with little hard data to vouch for their potency. The study, which involved sending fictitious resumes to over 300 employers in the Columbus area, found that individuals with a felony drug conviction were more than three times as likely to receive a job interview or offer if they had received a CQE.Īlthough the study’s findings are described as preliminary, they fill an important gap in our knowledge of the effectiveness of Ohio’s CQE, and by inference of similar certificate schemes in other jurisdictions. Two University of South Carolina criminologists have concluded that employers in Ohio are willing to look beyond the criminal histories of job applicants who have been issued a Certificate of Qualification for Employment (CQE) from a state court. Study shows certificates work to create job opportunitiesĪ new empirical study provides important evidence that “certificates of recovery/relief” can be effective in facilitating employment opportunities for people with a criminal record. Accordingly, you should confirm the accuracy and completeness of all posted information before making any decision related to any data presented on this site.Again, not really SO related but it is still relevant Owners of assume no responsibility (and expressly disclaim responsibility) for updating this site to keep information current or to ensure the accuracy or completeness of any posted information. Some addresses or other data might no longer be current. Some persons listed might no longer be registered sex offenders and others might have been added. All names presented here were gathered at a past date. No representation is made that the persons listed here are currently on the state's sex offenders registry. stars on ribs.) tattoo on thigh (left - squirrel, bullfrog) tattoo on thigh (right - river otter) tattoo on calf (left - star with an anchor, dandlion and stars.) tattoo on calf (right - rooster and siccors) Marks/Scars/Tattoos: tattoo on l_eye (emily) tattoo on l_cheek (heart, two tear drops and blood stripes) tattoo on r_cheek (amber, stars, blood stripe.) tattoo on neck (crown with 8-23-11 and princess elizabeth.) tattoo on neck (right side of neck - large flower, left side - large flower outlined and in color) tattoo on l_arm (sleeve - owl, diamond, 254 stars, pete) tattoo on l_hand (flower with never forget and love and mate written of left fingers.) tattoo on r_arm (victorian scroll work, gnadenhutten, shirley, leaves and treble sign.) tattoo on r_hand (chevy logo) tattoo on abdomen (nautical stars) tattoo on back tattoo on chest (lantern and cheverons.