© 2024 WFSU Public Media
WFSU News · Tallahassee · Panama City · Thomasville
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Report Suggests Ways To Remove Employment Barriers For Floridians With Criminal Records

MGN Online

A Florida TaxWatch report is offering some recommendations for Florida when it comes to removing employment barriers for people with criminal records.

Often times, people with criminal records are passed over for employment, and Florida TaxWatch Executive Vice President Robert Weissert says Florida employers should try not to exclude this large group.

“We’re talking about nearly 3 million Floridians have a criminal record,” he said. “Nationwide, about 1 in five people have had an interaction with the criminal justice system. So, that’s pretty much everyone in America knows someone in your family, or on your circle of friends whose had an interaction with the criminal justice system.”

Weissert says employment is key to making sure people successfully reenter back into society. And, he adds Florida could learn from several other states that have had a state agency or a court issue what’s called a “Certificate of Rehabilitation.”

“…which tells future employers and society at large that that individual has been rehabilitated and that they have certain skills and possess characteristics that would make them a good employment candidate, even if they have this criminal record,” he added.

He says Florida could also provide a tax incentive on top of an existing federal tax credit for employers who hire people with criminal records and expand services for inmates behind bars and upon their release.

For more news updates, follow Sascha Cordner on Twitter: @SaschaCordner.

Sascha Cordner has more than ten years of public radio experience. It includes working at NPR member station WUFT-FM in Gainesville for several years. She's worked in both radio and TV, serving in various capacities as a reporter, producer and anchor. She's also a graduate of the University of Florida with a bachelor's degree in telecommunications. She is the recipient of 15 awards from the Associated Press, Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ), and Edward R. Murrow. Her award-winning stories include her coverage on the infamous “Dozier School for Boys” and a feature titled "Male Breast Cancer: Lost in the Sea of Pink." Currently, Sascha serves as the host and producer of local and state news content for the afternoon news program "All Things Considered" at WFSU. Sascha primarily covers criminal justice and social services issues. When she's not reporting, Sascha likes catching up on her favorite TV shows, singing and reading. Follow Sascha Cordner on Twitter:@SaschaCordner.