Jobs and insurance for ex-offenders: A second chance


Under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974, ex-offenders with “spent” criminal convictions should be able “to be treated for all purposes in law as a person who has not been convicted or sentenced”.

Unfortunately, this may not be a reality for many reformed offenders.  The current attitude of employers and service providers towards people with a criminal record is not often of a positive nature. 

Unsurprisingly, many ex-offenders believe that once a criminal record has been revealed, they stand a very small chance of obtaining even a first round interview, which undoubtedly and understandably leads to frustration.

It is not only jobs, but also necessities such as home contents insurance, motor insurance, or liability insurance that ex-offenders may find impossible to obtain.

When applying for insurance cover, it is essential for people with a criminal record to disclose their convictions to the insurance company.  However, as many insurance companies will use convictions as a reason not to provide insurance, it can be extremely difficult for reformed offenders to get on with their lives.

At SIS we believe that it is essential that ex-offenders and people with spent criminal convictions be given the chance to restart their lives and re-establish themselves within the community. 

We are specialist insurance brokers, focused on obtaining home, car and liability insurance quotes for people with criminal convictions.  If you have a criminal record and are struggling to obtain an insurance quote, contact us today.  You can call us on 0845 833 5285 or ask for a quote by clicking on one of the links below:

If you have a criminal conviction it can be difficult to get a quote for motor insurance. We specialise in finding tailored insurance - let us help...

If you have a criminal record and you can't get home insurance because of your convictions, contact our team of experienced insurance brokers - let us help...

If you are an ex offender with a criminal conviction it can be hard to find liability insurance and move on with your life - let us help......

 


Below is an article, taken from HR Review which discusses the hardships ex-offenders face when looking for employment and insurance in today’s society:

Do Ex-convicts deserve a second chance?

October 7, 2010Posted in: Diversity & Equality

Working Links the leading specialist welfare provider has launched its research report in regards to employer’s current attitudes to ex offenders seeking work.

Working Links has made policy recommendations after publishing its ‘Prejudged: Tagged for Life’ report, which highlighted employer atttides to ex convicts across the UK. Due to significant findings from the report, Working Links is now calling for policy reviews and a consultation looking at a new Discrimination Act.

Working Links commissioned in depth independent research into employer attitudes towards ex-offenders, revealing that criminal convictions are often used by employers to reject people from the recruitment process.
The report found that 55% of employers would use a disclosed conviction to reject an applicant outright or would discriminate against them compared to an equally qualified candidate with no conviction.

Only 20% of employers have knowingly recruited an ex-offender.

Employers wrongly believe ex-offenders will lack honesty and reliability compared to other candidates whereas in reality over 60% of employers of ex-offenders found that they worked as hard, if not harder than those with no convictions.

47% of employers had no policies in place regarding ex-offenders but 67% would welcome guidance into this area.

In response to the findings Working Links have asked for a consultation on a new Offender Discrimination Act to evaluate the potential to further limit the ability of employers to discriminate against people with convictions, including the reconsideration of the requirement to disclose minor offences and the length of time until many offences are considered spent.

Working Links work with thousands of offenders, delivering employment and skills schemes through their various government schemes.

Debbie Ryan, Director of Market Development at Working Links said:

“Over 17% of 18-52 year olds in the UK have a criminal record and 74% of ex-offenders are jobless on leaving prison. Not only is employment vital to help people reintegrate into society, but this equates to huge costs to the welfare and benefits system and vastly increases re-offending rates, again at an enormous cost to society.