Ex-offenders facing jobs discrimination

FORMER offenders are “paying twice” for their crimes as they are discriminated against in the job market, the head of the Equality Authority said.

Niall Crowley, chief executive of the authority, said the reintegration of ex-offenders into society could be improved if they had greater access to employment. “Why invest in the re-integration of ex-offenders and leave open the possibility that they might be discriminated against? There’s a contradiction there,” he said.

Mr Crowley was commenting following the recent publication by the Department of Justice of a review of international employment legislation.

The review, by UCC’s law department, looked at the approach taken in other countries to four grounds of discrimination not covered by Irish legislation. These are socio-economic status, trade union membership, political opinion and criminal conviction.

Shane Kilcommins, law lecturer at UCC, said the review showed Ireland’s equality laws in relation to ex-offenders are quite restrictive. “Every one of the Commonwealth countries we examined had expungent laws, where after a certain amount of time the slate would be wiped clean,” he said. This excludes sex offenders, whose convictions remain recorded.

“In other countries they are not entitled to ask if you have a criminal record as it’s discrimination,” he said.

Mr Kilcommins said a “better balance” was needed between public protection and the re-integration of ex-offenders into society.

The Equality Authority said there would be mutual gains in ensuring former criminals are given a chance to work. “It would further support reintegration and make sure people aren’t paying twice over, as well as enhancing the labour market where there are shortages,” Mr Crowley said.

The authority said it has received an “ongoing flow of queries” from ex-offenders concerned they are not being fairly treated. “People have gaps on their CVs they can’t explain and they find themselves discriminated against on that basis,” Mr Crowley said.

“We know there is discrimination on the grounds of criminal conviction. This review highlights how these grounds have been taken up in a very positive way in other jurisdictions. We hope that will lead to change,” he said.