Ban the Box

background screening. Ban the Box is a movement to try and ascertain a fair way for ex-offenders to seek employment, housing and social service assistane. The campaign hopes to ban the box on application forms, which asks applicants to tick if they have been convicted of a felony. As you might imagine, those who tick that box are unlikely to hear anything back, and supporters of the campaign claim that even asking such a question violates the US Constitution – opening the door for discrimination. This then further affects families and those close to the offenders, who suffer the same rejection and discrimination, especially when it comes to applying for housing. Minnesota was the first state to remove the question in 2009, while others have since followed by example. As awareness of this movement grows, other states and communities are looking at the potential good of ban the box, and how this could boost the current economy. The campaign claims that it is not aimed to hide information, but more to provide ex-offenders with an opportunity to verbally portray themselves, their attributes and personality, rather than being judged via an application form and a ticked box. It provides a second chance to individuals who have something to offer to society but, flipping the coin over, does it not also provide a second chance, or third, fourth or fifth chance, to those who don’t? It is a controversial campaign which is sure to be making the headlines in the near future, and with both sides putting forward persuasive arguments, it will be interesting to see how many states follow in Minnesota’s footsteps.]]>