The Unified Government Commission tonight unanimously passed a “Ban the Box” ordinance, an effort which may help ex-felons get jobs.
It is part of a national effort to delete the box on job applications that asks if a person has been convicted of a felony. Several people were in the audience to support this effort.
With the passage of the ordinance, the UG will be taking a step to eliminate barriers for those who are returning to society from prison.
The “Ban the Box” effort was backed by several groups including the NAACP and Workforce Partnership. There was a petition drive in favor of the UG making this change.
In Wyandotte County, about 13 to 15 percent of the population are ex-felons, and many reside in the urban core, according to officials.
The new ordinance exempts public safety positions in the Police Department, Sheriff’s Office, Fire Department, Community Corrections Department, district attorney’s office and Municipal Court. Job applications in these areas will still include questions about prior criminal history.
Under the new ordinance, the UG may still ask job applicants about their criminal history, but the question will not be asked until after the job interview is held and the person has been determined to be qualified for the job.
Commissioner Tarence Maddox, who led this effort, said a minister who opened the meeting with a prayer gave an example of a young man on the playground who didn’t have a chance at bat. This “Ban the Box” change is a step toward giving people a chance at bat, which people here will appreciate, he said.
Commissioner Jane Philbrook said Workforce Partnership is supporting this issue and has been wanting something like this to happen in Wyandotte County for a long time.