Category Archives: personal responsibility

Finding a job with a felony: a success story

What does it take to get a job with a record?   When I teach, I allude to factors like  knowing your strengths, having a plan, dealing with setbacks and never giving up.  But it’s not often that I get an opportunity to show … Continue reading

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Filed under companies hiring ex-offenders, criminal records, education ex-offenders, employment ex-offenders, inspiration, job search ex-offenders, job training, personal responsibility

Will Tim Riggins be able to find a job after he’s released?

I usually try to keep my facts and fiction fairly separate on this blog.  But watching this season’s final  episode of “Friday Night Lights,” I was struck by how well the show captured the character of so many who end up serving time:  good people who’ve … Continue reading

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Filed under breaking the law, companies hiring ex-offenders, criminal records, inspiration, job search ex-offenders, personal responsibility, reentry, second chances, taking responsibility

Lindsay Lohan’s jail break

Jail is an awful, dehumanizing place, and I don’t envy Lindsay Lohan for having to spend time there. In case you’ve fallen behind in your tabloid reading: Lohan, the talented, but increasingly troubled actress, began serving a 90-day sentence today … Continue reading

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Filed under addiction and recovery, alternatives to incarceration, life in prison, personal responsibility, second chances, sentencing alternatives, starting over, taking responsibility, women ex-offenders

Recognizing those on the front lines of reentry

If one of these folks  has helped you rebuild your life, this is the week to let them know.   And feel free to share your stories here. Over the years, I’ve volunteered in probation offices in both Indiana and Virginia,  doing interviews and presentence reports, … Continue reading

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Filed under education ex-offenders, personal responsibility, probation and parole, reentry, reentry resources, second chances, sentencing alternatives, starting over, taking responsibility, Uncategorized

What you have the power to do

“The most common way  people give up their power is by thinking they don’t have any.”                      Alice Walker, author of “The Color Purple” I love this quote.  It reminds me of something I’ve struggled with on occasion.  Like say, last … Continue reading

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Filed under addiction and recovery, companies hiring ex-offenders, criminal records, employment ex-offenders, ex-offender psychology, goal-setting, life in prison, personal responsibility, reentry, second chances, starting over, talents

Straight Talk: Blogger James E. Walker Jr. on the challenges of starting over

In 1977, James E. Walker Jr. was sentenced to 30 years in prison for what he described as the worst-crime imaginable. Three years ago, he was released a changed man, with a college degree in English and high hopes for starting over. But so far his reentry has been more difficult than he ever imagined as he discusses in this most recent Straight Talk. Continue reading

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Filed under companies hiring ex-offenders, criminal records, discrimination, education ex-offenders, employment assistance ex-offenders, employment ex-offenders, Guest blogger, job search ex-offenders, personal responsibility, reentry, second chances, starting over, Uncategorized

A lesson in owning up to your mistakes

“A man’s errors are his portals of discovery.” James Joyce, author Sports columnist Tom Boswell included this quote at the end of a column he wrote this week on the tremendous class showed by umpire Jim Joyce, after he blew … Continue reading

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Filed under education ex-offenders, inspiration, offenders and sports, personal responsibility, second chances

Who hires violent offenders? You’d be surprised.

Their crimes aren’t easy to stomach. Murder. Rape. Armed Robbery. Aggravated Assault.  But when they come to Mouly Aloumouati, they’ve done their time and have one thing in common. They want a job and they want to start over. Aloumouati … Continue reading

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Filed under companies hiring ex-offenders, criminal records, education ex-offenders, employers hiring ex-offenders, employment assistance ex-offenders, employment ex-offenders, ex-offender psychology, job search ex-offenders, jobs ex-offenders, personal responsibility, reentry, reentry resources, second chances, starting over, taking responsibility

Guest Post: Jackie Dishner talks about how to inspire a strong recovery in your life

Today I’m thrilled to welcome Guest Poster Jackie Dishner to Out and Employed.   As I noted yesterday, Jackie is a writer, author, bike enthusiast and motivational speaker, who has lots of good advice from personal experience on turning your life … Continue reading

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Filed under addiction and recovery, education ex-offenders, ex-offender psychology, Guest blogger, hope for ex-offenders, inspiration, Jackie Dishner, personal responsibility, reentry, second chances, skills, starting over, taking responsibility, talents

Criminal justice blogs I love…

Oops, I almost forgot.  Today those of us  taking part in WordCount Blogathon 2010 are talking about our favorite blogs.  So I had to postpone an earlier entry, which is why this is coming to you a little later.   Fortunately, … Continue reading

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Filed under employment assistance ex-offenders, employment ex-offenders, ex-offender psychology, jobs ex-offenders, justice reform, personal responsibility, reentry