Council lifts employment restrictions on ex-cons

By Chirs Frost


Compton - The Compton City Council voted unanimously on April 5 to eliminate a restriction barring ex-convicts from applying for many city jobs.


The resolution – dubbed “ban the box” because it would eliminate the box on job applications that must be check if the applicant has been convicted of a felony – was brought to the council by All of Us or None, a group that opposes discrimination against those who have served prison sentences.



Saying the measure is in the “true spirit” of ban the box, Melissa Burch, from All of Us or None, commended the council for the move. However, she did express concerns as the initiative moves into the implementation phase.



The resolution needs to ensure that employers provide a copy of background checks for prospective employees, Burch said, and all them to contest any errors in the report.


“Arrests not leading to convictions will not be considered, but it should specify that dismissed convictions will also not be considered,” she said. “According to the regulations of California’s Fair Housing and Employment Act, expunged and dismissed convictions are not to be considered by prospective employers.”



She said the group is willing to meet with the city attorney to resolve any concerns and help the resolution move through implementation successfully.


District 3 Councilwoman Yvonne Arceneaux said she is happy the resolution made the agenda.


“They’ve served their time and paid their debt to society,” she said. “Everyone has made mistakes along the way.”

Mayor Eric J. Perrodin said that the initiative is good and he supports second chances.



“I live second chances in my courtroom every day,” he said. “I think they should be afforded an opportunity, but they shouldn’t be given an opportunity over the kids who didn’t do anything wrong.”



While the measure would open up many jobs to those who have been convicted or a crime, the resolution still bars those who have committed a crime directly related to the job.



“If you’ve been arrested for child molestation, you can’t work in the Parks and Recreation Department,” Perrodin said.



Many residents spoke in favor of the resolution and commended the council for taking action.



Vonia Quarles said she took advantage of the opportunities she had when she was paroled.



“I support ban the box because I am a third generation felon,” she said. “Because a lady withheld my background check, I was able to get gainful employment.”



Quarles said her employer invested in her and, as a result, she used the opportunity to go to college and get a law degree.



Minnie Sawyer, who has opened her home to people who were being paroled in the past, spoke in favor of the measure.