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 | | Wednesday, 2 January, 2002, 01:40 GMT Ex-offenders 'deserve job chance'  Union says jobs can help prevent people re-offending Employers are being asked to give a fresh start ex-offenders in a bid to cut crime and unemployment. A Trades Union Congress (TUC) report says finding ex-offenders jobs is a good way of reducing the chances of them re-offending. And it is unfair to further punish people who have served time in prison by denying them work, it says. The report suggests a high proportion of unemployed people have criminal records and that many ex-offenders have low skills levels and poor qualifications.
Legislation due to come into force next autumn will allow bosses the right to ask jobseekers for evidence of criminal convictions. But ex-offenders may try to conceal their criminal records unless they know they will be treated fairly, according to the TUC. TUC general secretary John Monks, said: "All of us are less likely to be the victims of crime if we can help ex-offenders into work. "It is the most effective way of preventing them from re-offending." "Many workers with a criminal record are valued employees, contributing to the success of their company. "There is a strong business case for fair treatment." Minister for Work Nick Brown said: "Nearly a third of all men have a criminal record conviction by the age of 40. "The vast majority of those want to do all they can to settle down to stable and constructive lives." | | See also:  Top UK stories now:  Links to more UK stories are at the foot of the page. | ||||||||||||||||||||
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