Among those who have the most difficulty finding a job in reentry are individuals required to register for a sex offense. Even hiring managers at many companies that consider themselves second chance employers refuse to hire them. It’s a challenge that those in this position find very difficult to overcome.
Just ask Sherri Moreno, an employment coordinator for nonprofit Bay Area Community Services in Sacramento, Calif. Not only from her work with BACS, but also from personal experience – her ex-husband fell into this category – Moreno understands the barriers that those arrested for a sex offense face.
She also understands that, as she says, many of the common perceptions surrounding people on the registry aren’t generally true.
“When my now ex-husband was arrested for a sex offence, it turned my world upside down. I was not expecting that in any way, shape or form,” Moreno says. “Never once did I ever think that someone I knew and trusted would be someone who would be on the registry.”
In order to deal with the trauma she faced as a result, Moreno learned everything she could about those who commit sex offenses.
People required to register have second lowest rate of reoffending
“The more research I dove into, the more I found out that what people have been told is not what reality actually is. For example, they’re told that they have a high risk of reoffending. But the truth is actually quite the opposite. They’re the second lowest group who reoffend. The lowest is those convicted of murder.”
Moreno believes that to prevent reoffending, people in this population – as most of those in reentry – need housing, clothing, food, employment and a strong support network.
“But I saw that all of these things are being taken away from them and pushing them to the fringe of society,” she says. She began to be an advocate for reform, talking to legislators and telling them that the current laws around people on the registry aren’t working to protect society.
When she became an empty nester, Moreno made a career change and became a job developer working with people who have barriers to employment, including those who had been arrested for a sex offense.
Moreno said that she would talk to employers telling them she had a client who was on the registry.
She would ask them, “Is there any reason why they couldn’t work in a warehouse or whatever?”
“I was really trying to help break down some of those objections and would tell them (potential employers), that they’re going to be one of the hardest workers, because they know how hard it is to find employment.”
Moreno spent time talking to employers to find out where they‘re coming from. And telling them that hiring someone who’s on the registry helps benefit society. She’d tell them, “We want to be sure that there’s no more crime in our communities by making sure everybody who wants to work can work.’”
Job search tips for those on the registry
Those required to register for a sex offence have a very difficult, but not impossible, task, when it comes to finding employment. But Moreno has some good advice they can follow:
- When you’re looking at job listings on Indeed, use the fair chance filter as a way to help narrow the number of possible employers you may consider applying to.
- Check out blue collar jobs, which tend to be more accepting of those who have been arrested and/or incarcerated.
- See if the state where you are located has a registry that lists the place where those included are employed. That way you can find companies that are open to hiring those on the registry. (But remember, it’s not the full picture; other employers may also be willing to hire you.)
- Consider truck driver jobs as trucking companies are more open minded in their hiring practices.
- Network with other people — including probation and parole officers who have connections to local employers who have hired people on their caseloads – about potential job opportunities. (Also, Jails to Jobs suggests searching online using the terms “employment resources for a sex offender in [your county name].” This could turn up other possibilities.)
When candidates finally reach the interview stage, Moreno doesn’t recommend that they volunteer to share information about their background upfront. When it does come up, she says, “Let them know that yes, I’ve done something bad in my past, but it doesn’t define who I am today.”
“These are the things I’ve worked on to become the person I am today, and these are the things I plan to do moving forward.”
(Her suggestion reflects the approach called the turnaround talk – a strategy and concept that Jails to Jobs has worked to develop and share widely. (Note: Jails to Jobs advises candidates to proactively discuss during the face-to-face interview with the actual hiring manager what a background check may reveal, using their Turnaround Talk and accompanying Turnaround Packet, as discussed in the notes below.)
Telling their story
And how do they tell their story?
As a guide, you might want to phrase it like this, as long as it stays true to your situation:
“I was dealing with trauma in my life and I didn’t know how to deal with it. Because of that, I made poor choices, and I recognize the harm those choices caused to others. I feel genuine remorse for that. As a result, I lost my freedom, my family, and my employment. I’ve learned from these experiences and am committed to making better choices moving forward.”
Job candidates can then talk about all that they went through and lost – the standing in their community, in their church. Whatever they want to highlight in terms of the consequences of their actions, she says.
“Whatever negative you come up with, offer an additional positive to tell what you’re doing now. ‘I’ve gone through treatment. I’ve attended support groups.’ Any of the classes or treatments they have taken while incarcerated to help better themselves.”
“What resources you have reached out to in the community to make you accountable. Where do you see yourself going forward?”
“Explaining these points can demonstrate a genuine shift in mindset. For example, you might say, ‘I understand the harm I caused not only to my family but also to the community, and I’m doing everything I can to improve myself so I don’t go backwards.’ It’s about conveying that growth without going into the specifics,” she explains.
Groups offer moral support
The Alliance for Constitutional Sex Offense Laws (ACSOL), of which Moreno is a board member, offers two weekly emotional support groups geared toward individuals required to register, their family members and friends. Although the organization tends to be California-focused, the support groups are online and attract people from all over the U.S.
ACSOL’s website also lists national and state-specific advocacy groups with links to their websites. Those facing barriers in their job search and their lives as a result of being on the register can find others facing a similar situation who can offer advice and support.
Editor’s note: Below is a 60-90 second turnaround talk example that a candidate with a sex offense record could realistically use in a face-to-face interview with the hiring manager (always staying true to their situation) and even better if supported with a turnaround packet:
“I made serious mistakes in the past, and I take full responsibility for the harm I caused. I feel genuine remorse for the impact my actions had on others. While incarcerated, I completed treatment programs and support groups that helped me understand my behavior and develop strategies to make better choices. I also focused on education and skills development, earning my GED/AA/BA and completing vocational courses in [e.g., computer skills/trades] to prepare for meaningful work.
I participated in mentorship and reentry programs to stay accountable and continue personal growth. I completed treatment programs to address past substance abuse and addiction issues. I gained hands-on work experience through prison jobs, which taught me reliability, teamwork and professional habits. I also volunteered in ways that give back to the community and completed life skills programs to strengthen my decision-making and responsibility.”
In addition to knowing your turn around talk and having your turn around packet in hand, bring along any prepared notes or materials that will help you feel confident in your interview. You’ll shine even more by offering a warm handshake, keeping good eye contact, and practicing and role playing beforehand to show the best of who you are.
