Today, I attended my weekly appointment with my job advisor.
I informed him that last Monday, 30/3/15, I attended a job appointment, to be told that the employer did not employ people with unspent convictions.
I informed him that my conviction is not spent until 27/9/19. So being realistic, as I have to tick the yes box on the unspent conviction question, it is likely I will not get a job until then.
Now considering that he is suppose to be helping me get a job, he agreed with me. He didn't seem to think this was a problem.
I informed him , I am currently living with my parents free of charge, not contributing towards rent, food, utility bills. Whilst I am an ex-offender, I still have self respect and self worth and wanted to contribute to the bills and to society.
I informed him that whilst I had done the crime, and served my time, it seemed society wanted to continue to punish me for my offence, through employers not employing me, not because I did not have the skills or abilities to do the job, but because I have a conviction, therefore I am not trustworthy to employ.
I did inform him that I had rehabilitated and would not offend again, to which he replied, that employers have to do a risk assessment to ensure I was not a risk to the company. I agreed with him, but reminded him that looking at a piece of paper with my conviction on and then deciding I was a risk , is not a risk assessment. That is discriminating against a person with a conviction. I did add that I was aware that employers can legally discriminate against people with conviction.

I informed him that in my 52 years, I had up to April 2013, had a very good employment record for 34 years. I also informed him that my offending period accounted for a small percentage of my life, and the majority of my life had been crime free. I did ask him what was more important, what I had done or what I was doing now. He replied, "What I do now. I then said,"why is it that employers are more interested in an offence, I last committed 3 1/2 years ago, than what I do now and in the future, as I continue my crime free life." He didn't answer that question.

To say I was depressed on leaving my job advisor is an understatement. I felt like what is the point, there is no rehabilitation and I am sure society would be happier if I was dead.

However, I now feel, that there is a battle to be had to inform society of the way, they treat people with convictions. I know the law has changed and things are better for people with convictions, but it does not go far enough.
I feel we need to challenge Employers, Government and The Criminal Justice System to make the ROA, the Filtering system and the Disclosure System fairer for all people with convictions. However to do this we have to put our heads above the parapet and stand up and be counted. I am willing to do this, is anyone willing to join me?
I want a society where rehabilitation is recognized in a positive way, not a society were it is used by people in power, who do not believe init.