‘Jail to Jobs’ prepares inmates for job interviews
Felons know how hard it is to get a job when they are transitioning into society, but a new program hopes to change that. A “Jail to Jobs” fair was held on Wednesday at the Rountree Men’s Medium Security Facility in Watsonville. The fair was a way to connect inmates with employers before they’re released.
Many of us have filled out job applications. They seem pretty harmless. But if you have a criminal past, the pack of papers can make you nervous, especially when you have to check the box asking if you have a criminal past, or you note a gap in employment.
“It’s a nerve-racking thing,” said Javier Diaz, program coordinator for the Community Action Board of Santa Cruz County said. “It’s an awkward thing. It’s shameful. We are trying to remove that stigma.”
That’s where CAB’s ‘Jail to Jobs’ comes in. It’s a program that introduces inmates about to be released with employers willing to hire them. Wonderfullly Raw Gourmet has been on board with the program since its inception. However, at least four other employers were on hand willing to help out, even hire newly released inmates.
“These are people whose dreams have been buffeted about a little bit and just need some stability and somebody to believe in them,” Jack Cheney with Wonderfully Raw Gourmet said. “And it works out.”
Inmates got to learn what to expect in real life interviews and how to talk to employers about their criminal past.
“A lot of times we are denied the equal opportunity of employment because of our past mistakes,” inmate Jesse Sanchez said. “So it can be a challenge. It’s one of the biggest roadblocks to our transition is not being able to get a job due to our past mistakes.”
And for some of these inmates, work could help them prevent future mistakes.
“They need to see that I’m capable,” inmate Paul O’Brien said. “Just because you’ve made bad choices in the past doesn’t mean that is who you have to be. You can change.”
Many of the inmates we spoke to say they want to move forward and become productive members of society. All they need is a fair chance.
“My ultimate goal is long term employment and to be a good provider for my family and be a contributor into the community,” Sanchez said. “Just to live a good, productive crime free life.”
However, they recognize they’ll have to work harder because they have more to prove.
“We have to show up and knock on the doors,” O’Brien said. “People say, “Not this week, come back.” And we do. We have to come back. And if we do get in the door we have to work harder than most people. We have to show that we are willing to do whatever it takes to keep the job because it’s easy to replace us.”
And Cheney offers this advice to inmates and anyone else looking for work.
“Every business is looking for people that really believe in their mission,” Cheney said. “Whatever niche or product that they are doing, this is their livelihood. This is their dream and so we are looking for people that will take that on. They’ll try to solve problems when they come up, they need to be able to develop relationships with their coworkers, both male and female, and take directions when necessary from appropriate people and be able to communicate back problems in an appropriate way.”
Other businesses that participated in the “Jail to Jobs” event include Santa Cruz County, Watsonville Diesel and a call service center. The Community Action Board hopes to do another job fair like this in the future.
