Prison Place

 While I was in a FCC in Florida,I learned how to cook for 2000 ppl,although I had a degree in Hotel Mgmt,I had no trouble finding work as a Chef,at a pretty nice Hotel in Ga.I `m now a Food & Beverage Director,with them,at pretty nice pay for a Felon..If you`re willing to work hard,it might take a few days of looking,but its easy to move up.once you`re allowed a foot in the door.Its something to go from 83.00 a month for 44 hrs a wk of hot,hard work

to 2000.00 a month,with less hrs,& alot better working conditions............ 

DO you have any tips or suggestions on how to get a job once you are on the outside?  This is something I am so worried about for my son when he gets out in a few months.  I want him to get a job fast to help keep him off the streets and out of trouble.

 Next to avoiding bad elements, employment is the biggest challenge I have seen ex-inmates face. I watched as my friend responded to over 200 jobs on Craigs List, Monster and Hot Jobs. Most of the time he never got a response back. When he did get interviews, they would practically offer him the job, remark how qualified he was, and promise to call him for a second meeting. He would then hear nothing. What happened was, after he left the interview, they would run a background check and find his arrest record and disqualify him as a felon.

After 7 months, he got a job. He had left the question about arrest and felony blank on the application. After working for two weeks, doing excellant work, he was let go. I was a month more before he finally met a business owner who would give him a chance. He is doing very well and is very appreciative of hiss new boss.

All this trouble and his crime was DUI!!! I can't imagine how hard it would have been if it was a violent crime.

My suggestion is to support him and constently encourage him as it will be a long process. Don't let him get down. He needs to apply to everything, everyday and be honest about the past.

Good luck to you 

Thank you AH for your kind words and advice.  Especially, thank you for taking the time to answer my questions.  It is very appreciated.  I know we are in for a very hard road ahead.  We have been through hard times before and survived so this will be no different.  I am going to make it my personal mission to research companys that are "Ex-Con Friendly" and I will post whatever I can find here for anyone else that may be anticipating the challenges of a released loved one finding a job.

Thanks again and God bless.

Mikeysmom