CCH Policy Specialist Jonathan Holmes contributed this piece to the blog published by Clergy for a New Drug Policy.
People with criminal records face significant barriers in society. A charge or conviction can impact one’s ability to find housing, employment, and stability. The War on Drugs and mass incarceration policies have had a detrimental impact on the lives of many who are seeking to turn their lives around, but because of past records, are unable to provide for their families and be assets to their communities.
Specifically, any marijuana/cannabis conviction above 10 grams is considered a narcotics offense and, as a result, makes it nearly impossible to get a job in schools, park districts, and health care. Even having a record for a drug-related arrest can allow landlords to deny housing. Drug felonies result in lifetime bans for food stamps and public assistance. These policies also have a direct impact on homelessness.
The city of Chicago’s 2014 Point in Time count showed that 69% of homeless men and 58% of homeless women on the street in Chicago are formerly incarcerated. Along with that, 60% of homeless men and 27% of homeless women in the shelters have prior criminal records. Continue reading Removing bars to employment for people with records