Plan to allow ex-prisoners conceal convictions from employers

THE governor of Mountjoy Prison has endorsed a proposal to allow former prisoners the right not to disclose convictions when applying for jobs or insurance.

John Lonergan yesterday launched a report by the Law Society of Ireland which calls for the introduction of a Spent Convictions Scheme.

Such a scheme would ensure that, after certain safeguards have been met, offenders would not have to disclose their criminal conviction when applying for certain jobs or insurance.

“The Law Society was delighted to be able to participate in the research and final report in conjunction with community groups, including Ballymun Community Law Centre, Ballymun Local Drugs Task Force, Business in the Community, Northside Community Law Centre and Northside Partnership,” said Colin Daly, chairman of the Human Rights Committee of the Law Society.

“This is an area that has previously been considered by the Law Reform Commission, but the society was keen to further the debate through consultation with interest groups.”

The report aims to balance the injustice of requiring an ex-offender to suffer the consequences of an offence indefinitely and the need to ensure public safety.

The primary focus of the report was to limit the negative effect of a criminal conviction on employment prospects.

A survey conducted by the National Economic and Social Forum found that only 52% of Irish employers would consider employing someone with a criminal record.