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Yet Hart's background - which you might think would give him an even greater understanding of his area - has become something of a roadblock in his professional life.
After spending time in prison on drug-related offences, Hart has a permanent criminal record that surfaces each time he applies for a job.
"The one thing I hate, of all the stuff I've done, and gets me in the pit of my stomach, is an application form," he says. "It's a real case of, 'here we go again'. How far do we have to come in life until the past stops biting me on the behind? It's very disheartening."
… Now, he offers motivational talks. His TEDx Mountjoy talk on the topic has recently gone viral.
Continue reading @ The Indo.
Funny, I kept in touch with one of my old bosses who told me about my replacement (5 years ago). Apparently he was brilliant, dedicated and liked and respected...until they did his background check. Short of actual or attempted murder there was little else he didn't have on his record. My boss liked him and still pitched for his stay, unfortunately the higher ups would not take the risk. He was escorted out there and then. My old boss often wishes the bloke was just up front and honest at the start but as I pointed out that probably wouldn't have made the difference. Real difference needs to be made for ex-prisoners to rehabilitate them back into society. They've paid their dues according the Law so refusal of work after release seems like doubling up on the punishment. No idea what the fix is, but surely steering them back from recidivism is a better outcome?
ReplyDeleteWhere I work we hire ex-cons, even guys who murdered others, because we figure whatever was bothering them is bothering them no more. And they're always grateful that we hired them because they have to maintain employment while out on license or they risk going back to prison. So they have worked out well.
ReplyDeleteSteve R
ReplyDeleteSpeaking of which, you never did tell us why you had to leave that job and then the country in such a hurry!!
That was an interesting read from Tanya Sweeney and it certainly puts the issue of exprisoners on the agenda -its good that some find work in the catering industry but that seems to be one of the universaly accessible areas for exprisoners -usually because its grunt work for low wages.
I'm an inveterate wanderer Christy, apart from the odd bollocking from the old RUC and mild kicking from the Army I never had my collar felt lol, seemed to have settled upside down now though, Oz is still the lucky country!
DeleteThat's a great article and I understand that backround checks need to be done but a more humane approach needs to be implemented.....relying on Garda reports on their own isn't sufficient to make a decision.
ReplyDeleteSteve R
ReplyDeleteYes I hear it is still a good opportunity if you can work and the quality of life reasonably good.