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Marcos Pope hasn't had a job in 18 years. He was released from prison in July after serving nearly two decades for trafficking guns and drugs. The 55-year-old said he worked as a medic in the Air Force before doing time. Now he can't convince anyone to hire him.
ACT: (:07)
With the big gap in the time that I've done, people sort of frowned on that … It's basically, it's real hard.
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Pope says he applies to about four or five jobs each week - kitchen work, fast food cashier, bike messenger - but usually doesn't hear back. He says he is honest ... and just wants a second chance.
ACT:
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Some guys leave the penitentiary and they have definite ideas of staying in the street and continuing to hussle. I have no inclination of doing that. Yet still it is so very hard to find work.
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Last week, (Feb.1), New York City Councilmember Letitia James introduced a resolution designed to keep people like Marcos from returning to a life of crime.
Each year more than 27,000 people are released from New York State prisons …. Within three years, about two-thirds are re-arrested.
James says recently released felons often can't get jobs, become economically frustrated …. then re-offend.
ACT: (:20) (WePayingMore)
We are paying for their incarceration. We are paying for it out of our tax dollars, and it is increasingly becoming very, very expensive. We are paying more now to construct prison jails and maintain them in the state of New York and the city of New York… more money than we are paying for higher education and more money than we are paying for public education.
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The legislation would add to existing tax credits provided by the federal government. Companies can currently receive a $2400 tax break per employee, or up to $25,000 each year.
Several cities throughout the country have recently enacted similar legislation… Companies in Philadelphia can get a $5000 tax credit for every former felon they hire.
New York's proposed plan does not yet detail how much businesses could receive. Councilmember James said she also does not know how much the program would cost.
The idea IS likely, however, to hit some opposition. Chairman of the New York State Conservative Party, Mike Long, said his group would speak out against it.
ACT: (:13)
This is just another form of welfare and is an unfair burden to reach into the taxpayer's pockets to subsidize businesses to hire people who have served time in jail. It's absolutely ludacrist,
NARR:
Not everyone agrees.
Neil Pantelatos manages Strokos Deli in Morningside Heights. He said he'd consider hiring someone with a criminal record …. And not JUST for the extra cash.
ACT: (:11)
If I can help one person, ya know, and everybody chipped in little bit by helping A person, or more than one person , ya know - I personably believe it would bring crime down and do better for the city overall.
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The City Council is expected to discuss the resolution this year. STATE lawmakers are likely to do that same.
This is Ellen Gabler, Columbia Radio News