Labour shortage A time conducive to a second chance for ex-prisoners

At 18, disgusted to see his mother suffer in the hands of a spouse violent for a decade, Daniel Benson kills him.The gesture is heavy with consequences: from 1982 to 1999, it will be incarcerated.He will take advantage of his years of detention to study until obtaining a baccalaureate in theology, then finding himself a writer's job at Fugues magazine."I was proactive during my incarceration," he says.Immediately after the prison, the publisher of Fugues hired me.»»

Today, Daniel Benson is a speaker, coordinator at the accommodation of the company John Howard of Quebec and intervention advisor to the Mission Old Brewery.He pleads for the integration of judiciary in the workplace."Reintegration into society has three pillars: having work, a roof and a social network," he explains.Three things that are difficult to acquire for someone with a criminal record.I have always worked because I am hard.I only had a period of unemployment in my life.»»

Despite the shortage of labor that weighs heavily on the shoulders of organizations, a recent survey of the Adult Judiciary Consultative Committee (CCCJA) reveals that few leaders are open to hiring judicialized people (28 %).Barely 16 % claim to have already hired a person who had a locker.

Certain workplaces are however more open: percentages climb to 37 % in sectors such as manufacturing and transportation among those who have already hired and 55 % among those who say they are ready to hire.

Governments have a speech of social reintegration, but I challenge any offender to have a government job.This is a taboo subject both for the brand image of a company and for its employees.

Daniel Benson

"We lack so much labor, and in all departments," notes Alexis Durand-Brault, director and co-founder of Also Productions.I cannot afford to make the point.I leave from the principle that the hired person paid for his debt.»»

Motivated and competent

He would not have used more faithful, recognizing and working than a former detainee who took over, according to the stakeholders interviewed by the press."They are also more inclined to take a difficult job, a quarter-night, seasonal work, at the minimum wage, because in prison, they earn $ 5 per hour, enumerates William Forest, advisor to business center'OPEX'82 work.Many come out of prison with competence cards and training.»»

For ten years, Alexis Durand-Brault has been a man who has served four years for drug trafficking among his usual employees."He told me the truth when I met him," he recalls.He looked sincere.I felt he wanted to work hard.»»

I never regretted having hired him.I’ve been engaging in all my productions since.He did a nonsense, but he resumed.He saw me as an opportunity to get out of the hole.

Alexis Durand-Brault, director, producer and co-founder of Also Productions

"From my experience, judiciary really want to work," adds Sophie Lajoie, director general of Moisson Rimouski-Neigette.They paid their debt.When they go out and register for a reintegration program, for example, there is something in motion.When we hit the bottom, having such a chance pulls us up.There may certainly be a lack of confidence or various interpersonal issues, but it is the same with any employee.»»

Moisson Rimouski-Neigette hired four judiciary in the past year."We are in a food bank context," describes Sophie Lajoie.One of the important values is to help people get out of difficult economic situations.We are already used to not all being the same.It’s very rich to be confronted in different ways of living.»»

In recent years, thanks to an employment transitional organization and a salary grant program, Taq Division Alliance Group, in Amqui, has lived two positive experiences of similar hire.

"The grant motivated us to recruit them and allowed us to have time to know them," admits Anne-Marie Villeneuve, director of human resources of the binding company.We trained them, they took out insurance and discovered their skills.We already make people work in functional limitations.We believe a lot about reintegration into employment.Such hires prevent falling into a pattern.The two people told us, "It helps us get back in hand."»»

I'll need prelaw with social work.I think i know how to run my psych by myself.Prop up your feet and relax awhile.

— Legal_Politics Tue Jun 15 22:20:49 +0000 2021

Newsweek magazine recently wrote that a reintegration at the work of American adulthoods with a criminal file-they constitute 33 % of the population-would reduce the shortage of labor, would give access to motivated employeesAnd productive, would reduce social inequalities, crime and investments relating to social inequalities."Employers want to give back to the community," says William Forest.Salary stability helps to find accommodation and no longer be in survival mode.»»

Fight against fear

In the country, around 4 million Canadians have a criminal record, according to the RCMP and the CCCJA.It is still necessary to have the same look at the person who made a flight and another who committed murders."Why could someone have committed murder not working?However, Daniel Benson asks.The lowest recurrence rate is that of murder [less than 0.5 %].»»

Still according to the CCCJA study, the main brakes on hiring are fear or mistrust (65 %), the perception of people outside the company (40 %), other employees of the company (24 %) and the lack of skills (20 %).But are we obliged to announce to other employees that a colleague with a criminal file slips among them?And customers?"We are categorical: no, no law obliges the employer to communicate the information," replied William Forest.

"I talked about it in my management, but not to employees," replied Anne-Marie Villeneuve.It's delicate.Note that in the region, everything ends up being knowing!But we cannot say what people have done.»»

"Besides," she adds, here, we cannot hire a fraudster, because we have a database.It should not be abusers either, because there are vulnerable employees among us.»»

"Anyway, the jewelry thief will not have the cheek to apply in a jewelry store," illustrates Daniel Benson.

To limit bad unions and fears, Opex’82 only recommends ready -to -use candidates."We are sure to have a lot of information on the customer," explains William Forest.And we offer employer services in terms of integration and regular follow -up to ensure that there are no worries or problems.It is not true that they are all very good reliable employees.But they are nonetheless than the rest of the population.»»

Despite the persistent reluctance, Opex’82 feels a change of change.

Increasingly, employers are opening up to recruiting marginalized people.We have received calls from several companies in recent years.COVID-19 added a layer.There have been more requests since 2019.

William Forest, business advisor to the OPEX’82 labor center

Three years ago, OPEX’82 set up business service and it created partnerships."We have 115 partner companies, including 82 in Montreal," said William Forest, who specifies, however, that the center is not a investment agency."With companies, I discuss their reality, their position in relation to judicial lockers, sensitive information, such as the fact that we do not have the authorization to reveal the crimes.Some employers, in the construction sector for example, are very open.Some people believe a lot about the second chance.»»

What the law says ?

According to article 18.2 of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms of the Personal of Quebec (such as it can be read in a CCCJA document), "no one can dismiss, refuse to hire or otherwise penalize within the framework of his employment one person alone because they were found guilty of a criminal or criminal offense, if this offense has no connection with employment or if that person has obtained forgiveness. ” An employer is entitled to ask a applicant if he has judicial history. However, according to the Human Rights and Youth Committee, making the request in general may suppose an intention not to respect article 18.2 of the Charter. Such a question must therefore be formulated with precision, in order to determine if there is a link between the offenses committed and the coveted employment. If it clearly prevents discrimination, this article, however, has a part of subjectivity, no standard defining the concept of "link with employment".

Source: judiciary, a pool of workers for Quebec, CCCJA, 2017

Advice to hire a judiciary

Create meetings

"The CV is one thing, but when you meet people, you don't have the word" ex-detected "in your head," says Alexis Durand-Brault, co-founder of Also Productions.Yes, you should know that the person has committed a crime, but you have to learn to forgive.We have the right to get out of it in life.It exists, people who make mistakes and who decide one day that it is enough.I don't have to question justice.It lacks the nuance in society.There is a difference between a serial killer and a guy who committed a qualified flight.»»

First, the skills

"Employers must focus on the skills of the person," says speaker Daniel Benson.We first hire someone who has the skills necessary for employment.And we should not consider hiring them just during the shortage, but all the time.»»

Have a support

"I suggest turning to organizations," says Anne-Marie Villeneuve, director of human resources from Taq Division Alliance.And to have a greater opening.People judicial are not necessarily bad guys."Support and a salary subsidy can be reassuring for the company," adds Sophie Lajoie, director general of Moisson Rimouski-Neigette.