Would You Want Michael Vick as a Coworker?

There's a double standard in this country when it comes to an employee with a criminal record.

If you're Michael Nobody who robbed the grocery store and spent time in jail for it, you'll have a hell of a time finding a job when you get out.

If you're Michael Vick who bankrolled an illegal dog-fighting ring, you'll end up with a plum job and millions of dollars in our pocket.

I'm not saying the Philadelphia Eagles should not have signed Vick for a two-year deal. Why not? He says he learned his lesson and wants to make amends. I love dogs just as much as the next guy, but in the scheme of crimes NFL players commit this one was pretty tame.

What I'm pointing out is a huge problem in this country -- we're not big on giving ex-cons an employment chance, unless of course they're Michael Vick or Martha Stewart.

The little guys get their resumes thrown in the trash if an HR manager finds out they have a record.

At a time when riots are exploding in over-crowded prisons in California, we all should be thinking about why that's happening.

Part of the reason is the high recidivism rate. About 700,000 people are released from prisons every year, and about two-thirds of those are expected to be back in prison within three years, according to the Department of Justice.

Why do they end up back in jail? Often times it's because they can't get a job and get their lives back on track.

Vocational and job-training programs that were once a major part of the prison system have been decimated by cutbacks.

A recent piece on National Public Radio on California's infamous Folsom State Prison paints a disturbing picture:

...all across this prison are signs of what this place once was -- when administrators came from New York and Texas to find out how Folsom kept its violence so low and its inmates from coming back.

There's the deserted shop where inmates used to train to be butchers; it was closed when the prison couldn't afford to remove the asbestos.

And hovering above the prison is China Hill, a now-barren field where inmates once trained to become landscapers. The prison can't afford to pay the teacher.

A program called the Second Chance Act, a bipartisan bill President Bush signed into law in May 2008 authorizing $165 million annually for a host of initiatives to curb recidivism, including money to train ex-offenders for jobs, was supposed to help restart such initiatives.

Clearly the initiative has yet to trickle into the California prison system, and given the recession it's unclear how much will really be spent to help retrain the prison population.

In an eerie coincidence, a prison inmate at Corcoran Prison in California, Jeff Perrotte wrote an Op-Ed piece for the Los Angeles Daily News last month titled: "California prisons fail to rehabilitate the inmates who need it most."

Prison officials tell you, Joe Public, that inmates are being rehabilitated so you will be safer when they return to your communities, that these men will have the skills to remain drug-free and find jobs. Wrong.

While there are limited programs available to help men change the direction of their lives, the backlog is so long that men returning to the free world often never make it in time.

And once they do get out, few employers and employees will be willing to work with excons.

I wrote about this issue last year in my MSNBC.com column:

There are generally few if any employment protections for ex-felons, says Dianna Johnston, with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. "Some courts have ruled that an employer that has a broad practice of excluding people from all jobs because they have had an arrest or conviction has a disparate impact on African-Americans," she explains. "A similar impact may apply to Hispanics."

But, for the most part, a hiring manager can legally toss your application in the trash bin if you've been incarcerated, and they do.

Devah Pager, an associate professor at Princeton University, has studied discrimination against ex-offenders and is currently doing field experiments looking at this issue. "I hire young men to pose as job applicants, applying to real entry-level jobs in Milwaukee and New York, to see how employers respond to their race and criminal background," she says. "Having a record reduces a job applicant's chances of getting a call back by half, [and] more if the applicant is black."

But not if you're Michael Vick.

Maybe we can all take a lesson from the Eagles for being so understanding.

"I'm a believer that as long as people go through the right process, they deserve a second chance," Eagles coach Andy Reid said. "Michael has done that. I've followed his progress. He's proven he's on the right track."

To be fair, there's more motivating Reid than the common good. He's probably hoping society take the forgive-and-forget approach for his own two sons. Reid's sons Britt and Garrett both served jail terms on drug charges.

Follow Eve Tahmincioglu on Twitter: www.twitter.com/careerdiva

Comments

[mollymac]

No, not ever, even or No f'ing way. He has not done anything but go to jail and that is only because he got his a** caught.. He's a phony, fraud and a liar . You're all welcome to give him a second chance. I however believe he's no different than Charles Manson. Only difference? 4 legs instead of 2.

[Flavor]

Look, do you honestly know the person that works on the side of you, probably not. You see there are people who we thought were model citizens only to find out they were the BTK, killer, ect.... this man has done his time and if you do the crime then we say you do the time, I don't think I would have a problem with him working next to me I know what he went to jail for, it's the ones that work next to me that I don't know that may be a problem. Just my view.

[PragmaticStatistic]

I would not desire to work with Vick because of what I know about him. However, my employer might not give me the choice and I would have to team up with him for the good of the company. It is no different than if one of your valued teammates in your office suddenly announced he is getting married to someone of the same sex. Just how much do we really know about the person in the next office or cubicle whom we have come to trust?

Yet, Vick has paid for his transgresions and deserves a second chance if he truely is a new man. Ricky Williams got a second chance so why not Vick. Pair him up with a good mentor and turn this risky investment into a good one.

[norepublicanleftbehind]

NO.

[Nommo]

Vick has a singular skill set, most of the formerly incarcerated do not, except perhaps the one that got them imprisoned in the first place. You pointed out that most of the programs available to the incarcerated have been decimated and the idea of rehabilitation is far beyond what institutions of correction are capable of.

Most of the formerly incarcerated do not have support from the outside, there are for many, most notable the hard timers, no family, no community that is ready to take them in, and set them up to live on the outside. Since so many of them were poor and poorly educated, it would make sense for the industry to set up programs that would reduce recidivism except for the fact that recidivism keeps them in business. There is little incentive for the institution to engage in actual rehabilitative work.

Those who enter the institution with strong support systems on the outside, who have access to the things assist in their being supported throughout the period of incarceration will have an easier transition to rejoining society. Unfortunately they are in the majority.

[PatA]

.....Below is what Michael Vick said Tuesday to 250 kids at a basketball camp.

***The free agent NFL quarterback, who last month finished a 23-month federal prison sentence for dogfighting, told a crowd of about 250 children, on Tuesday, to "use me as an example for your dreams." Vick also told them that after accomplishing his goals he "allowed someone who didn't have my best interests at heart to take all that away from me," according to a release from the school.*** From a newspaper in Arkansas. News travels fast, huh?

Was he taking responsibility for Michael Vick in what he told the children? OR was he still blaming "someone who didn't have my best interest at heart"?

Eve, this doesn't sound like he is contrite and showing remorse over what he did to the dogs. What do you think? Sounds like he is whining to those impressionable children.

[drymartini1]

so what. he served his sentence and an employer wants to utilize his services. its between him and his employer.

[TomFox]

I would have no problem with Vick as a coworker or generally anyone else who has been incarcerated. More needs to be done within the prison system to get people on track. And that requires money.

I would like to see Vick do to things as part of his probation / parole:

1. Talk about how abusing animals is wrong.

2. Help raise awareness of the problems non-celebrities have getting their "second chance"

[JoshMiami]

the idea of the criminal penal system is not only to punish but also provide a path for rehabilitation
vick did the crime now has the oppurtunity to rehabilitate it is not only past criminals celebrety that gets a better chance all celebreties are treated better in our society

[Flavor]

Mr. Vick, did his time and I believe he has learned a serious lesson. He is still talented and deserves a chance, on the other hand your right, it appears there is a double standared when it comes to poor people and it is not fair, don't they deserve a second chance(yes), but it appears favor ain't fair. We as a society sometimes forget that those same people who have done a crime and did their time deserve to try to make it right a second time, we all have said something or done something stupid and were glad someone gave us a second chance. Just my view.

[mollymac]

Ted Bundy was smart, talented and on his way to a great legal career! So Vick can throw a ball. He's a blight on society and time will prove it to be true.

[ConfuciusSay-]

I've hired ex-cons before. A couple helped build my house.
Sure they deserve a break. I helped one start his own business, gave him one of my cars to use.

But that guy Vick?
No thanks.

There's something seriously wrong with him.
Let him work for his football peoples, or whoever wants him.

[dadw5boys]

Yeah I'll take him as a co worker or even hire him to be a supervisor.

What he did in his private life is his business.
Millions of dogs are run over by cars, throw off bridges and puppy mills still turn out PURE BRED's by the thousands each year with diseases or lowered immuinites from inbreeding.

Many puppy mills operate from homes and no one ever know they are there untill you knock on the door and hear the barking.

Dog fighting, criket fighting, cockfighting, and CAGE FIGHTS that people love on TV now are silly to me but each society makes changes as it grows and people get caught in the middle of that change. .

[moAb]

It is all about 'bidness'. Vick will get paid more than he should while he effectively
does a probationary period and simultaneously gets to train and show the bossmen
what he can still do. His hire represents an option and one that clearly does not happen
to men coming out prison for any reason and particularly black men. Should the Eagles
exercise the option, presumably based on great performance potential for Vick, they
will win huge (big league QB on the cheap). If it doesn't work out, little lost and they
have taken away the option from competitors. Vick will then have to scramble for end of
season opportunities; who knows...he may end up on a Superbowl contender in that
scenario. Would I work with him? Sure why not? I love dogs and what better place then
to keep him 'close' in case he falls off the canine abuse wagon. What he and others did
is despicable but he has played by the rules. If he has truly learned we have nothing to
worry about. If not, Vick is ultimately going to be his own downfall. The second time
there will be no such tolerance, bidness or otherwise.

[drymartini1]

"they have had an arrest or conviction has a disparate impact on African-Americans," she explains. "A similar impact may apply to Hispanics."

LOOOOOOOOOOL.

1. well shouldnt they have thought about it before commiting the first felony ?

2. MOST IMPORTANTLY, why do we always harp on high criminal incarcerations of African Americans and Hispanics and somehow insinuate its a failure of society but neglect to compare them with the Asian Americans.

How can Asian Americans have such low incarceration rate, high graduation rate, even lower unemployment rate than whites and not highlight it to compare with the previous two groups. clearly all these 3 minorities live in same society.

ANY RESPONSE to argument # 2

[Nommo]

The history of this society is based on legislation that kept generations of Black Americans out of the mainstream in terms of access to education, employment and housing. In turn, African American communities were denied financial services that other communities took for granted. Systemic racism and racist mob behavior have throughout, destroyed by way of riot those African American communities that had been established as working self sufficient communities. Tulsa, Ok. and Rosewood, Fl are just two examples of such.

As for the Asian community, its history in America is very different. Asians did not come here without their names or culture. Asians have been isolated by racism, but not without their family stuctures, their languages, and a sense of a link back to Asia. I don't know that there is a history of the kind of terror that Black communities have been consistently exposed to. The Klan, the White Citizen's Councils have not focused on Asians specifically as targets.

Of course, all of this is easily available to you if you are in any way aware of the history of this nation, particularly of the period immediately following the Civil War and the turn of the 20th century. My guess is though, you are not, you are redbaiting here, and not really interested in doing the study that would give you insights to the questions you pose.
(to be continued)

[Nommo]

There is no real stake in any answer to your questions. You don't have the slightest clue as to what Black Americans role and contributions to this nation's history. You don't have a clue as to how these things occurred in the midst of the vile and inhumanity that Black Americans have experienced at the hands of the dominant culture.

As for crime in the Black community, the conspiracy to flood the Black communities with drugs immediately in the wake of WWll was a decision made at the highest levels of Gov't. Do the research if you are genuinely interested. More money was put into the rebuilding of Japan and Europe than any Black community anywhere in the United States. Again. after WWll, segregation was still legal in the US of A. The military remained segregated for 2 years following the war. Black GI's did not even enjoy the benefits that white GI's took for granted.

If you are interested beyond baiting, you have plenty to go on with here. If not, then keep your assumptions intact, I am certain that, if nothing else, your own contributions to this society more than make up for those who have been systemically kept from any contribution at all, or at least such acknowledgment of.

[CydMiller]

So what is your point. We know that incarceration is on the rise thanks to privately owned prisons. We know that ex-cons have a long road to getting back on track especially if they are an average american. We do need programs to help all americans be productive citizens which includes ex-cons, single women with children (highest poverty level), etc.

I think putting Michael Vick and Martha Stewart in the same sentence is ridiculous. Michael Vick killed and tortured countless dogs. A characteristic shared by most serial killers. Martha Stewart made a trade that was advantageous to her pocketbook. Prior to that she built an impressive business empire. Hardly a comparison.

The point you seem to miss, which, by the way, is a big one. Michael Vick has skills that an employer desires. Great football skills as a matter of fact, yet many potential employers passed. So it was his unique skills that got him the job, and just barely.

As for Martha, she had her own impressive business empire to run and she has managed to remain relevant. So again, what is your point.

[Usama]

Its safe to say that America has lost its moral intelligence. This is one standard that has become increasingly diminished, if it ever was healthy and vibrant. Increasingly, 'outrage' is laced with underlying currents of prejudice, bigotry, and hypocricy. Moral standards have not been universally upheld and so duplicity becomes rabid in every sector.

America has devalued the lives of the poor and minority, ecspecially children, for decades. A missing poor black child doesnt win national media attention. Its lucky to get a few days of local media attention.

As well, American animal control agencies euthanize 4-6 million pets every year. Cases of neglect and abuse are so widespread that its routine.
American society has increasingly abandoned the black/ African American male. High school graduation rates for AA males are less than 50%. Incarceration rates are many times those of white/ European American males. HIV AIDS has increased among black males most of any social group. They live lesser lifespans and have poorer health in each generation since the 1960s.

But Michael Vick deserves not only to be banned from his profession, but he deserves, according to some posters, to be tortured like a dog. Bankers who have defrauded the world of trillions of dollars recieve trillions more, but Vick should be denied his profession. This is the type of hypocricy laced with undercurrent of prejudice.

Hence, America outlaws animal fighting but is silent when Mexico, Spain, and many other nations have dogfighting, bullfighting, cockfighting

[drymartini1]

you are using the wrong arguments.

if high school education is at fault why Asian Americans nail the SAT's so well, have higher graduation rates than even whites.

so you should acknowledge that its not a fault of being a minority in general. must shoulder some responsiblity there .

[mollymac]

agree with your post.