Covid19 and the Prison System
The United States has 25% of the world’s incarcerated population. Now with the Covid19 pandemic, it is the perfect storm for virus transmission. The prison system needs to reduce their exposure for inmates, correctional officers, nurses and other staff. By August 18, 2020, at least 102,000 inmates and 22,00 prison staff have tested positive. There have been 889 deaths among prisoners and 72 deaths among prison staff members reported in that same time frame.
According to The Marshall Project and The Associated Press, more than 100,000 people have been released nationwide from the state and federal prison system between March and June of this year. Each state has their criteria for who is eligible for release and the protocol for that release. To prevent spread of the virus, states are also reducing how many people are brought into the prison system by eliminating sentences for lessor crimes, reducing bail and allowing parole checks over the phone or video conferencing.
Released from the prison system, now what?
Even in the best of times, released prisoners have a difficult time finding housing, obtaining jobs, getting loans or any other of life’s typical challenges. Add in the concerns of the Covid19 virus. What does that mean for employers, HR staff, and rental property managers? Companies will be getting a flood of people applying for jobs or housing, many without the proper qualifications. After making your way through all the resumes and applications, you now have the additional issue of whether you will consider giving a second chance to someone who has been in the prison system. Remember, Ban-the-Box prevents you from asking questions about convictions until after you have made a conditional offer. Can you count on your applicant being honest on their resume or application about their criminal record?
If you don’t already do background screening on your applicants, now is the perfect time to start. Be sure that you are getting the best and safest employee or tenant and performing due diligence to protect your business, your clients, your employees and tenants. In addition, use a reputable CRA (Consumer Reporting Agency) to get accurate reports and help with regulations and compliance issues.
Releases from the prison system gives you more challenges
Partnering with a CRA (Consumer Reporting Agency) with the services you need to fill in your HR gaps can be an economical solution that also helps you stay in compliance. The right CRA partner can help you recruit, integrate your system, perform background checks, provide education and license verification, drug testing at convenient locations, and support throughout the process.
Perform due diligence both legally and ethically for your employees and customers. A professional CRA partner pays for itself by avoiding costly hiring mistakes. For a free consultation or more information, contact Genesis Background Screening Services at 866 944-0041 ext 101. Online, email or visit www.genesisbackgroundscreening.com. You can sign up to be emailed whenever we post a new blog at https://genesisbackgroundscreening.com/subscribe-to-the-blog/
Genesis Background Screening is not a law firm and provides our blogs for informational purposes only. Blog is not a substitute for experienced legal advice. Research laws or regulations mentioned in our blogs. Ask your legal counsel any questions you have to be sure your organization is within the law and compliant with regulations.
Jacqueline McClure
Genesis Background Screening Services
