Formerly-incarcerated people praise unsung heroes during natural disasters, call for just labor practices for prison workers

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 30, 2020

Contact: Loretta Kane (917-410-7242 or loretta@caminopr.com)

Formerly-incarcerated people praise unsung heroes during natural disasters, call for just labor practices for prison workers

NEW YORK — Yesterday, the Douglas County (Nebraska) Civil Service Commission  unanimously approved the Fair Employer Resolution, which expands public service job opportunities for formerly-incarcerated people. In response, JustLeadershipUSA President and CEO DeAnna Hoskins issued the following statement:

“Hats off to the Douglas County commissioners for passing a resolution to address employment discriminattion against formerly-incarcerated Nebraskans. The Fair Employer Resolution not only creates county job opportunities, it also signals to other levels of government and private employers that formerly-incarcerated people are an untapped pool of valuable workers.“Congratulations and thanks go out to leaders at Reconnect, Inc. for their tireless work to pass this resolution and all they do for the Nebraskans impacted and marginalized by the systemic racism and injustice that so often prevents formerly incarcerated people from meeting their most basic human needs, including access to living-wage jobs and affordable housing. Lack of jobs and housing make it impossible for formerly incarcerated people to support themselves — hurting them, their families and their communities.

“We demand every state and local government follow Douglas County’s lead by passing employment nondiscrimination policies and laws to ensure that formerly incarcerated people have a fair chance to work and support themselves. Likewise, we challenge Congress and the president to enact federal policies to address job and housing discrimination and food insecurity — all issues that create untenable barriers to successful reentry for formerly incarcerated people.

“A prison or jail term should not turn into a life sentence of poverty and instability. Everyone should have access to jobs and housing that allow them to work and live with dignity.”

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