Thinking outside the box in Norwich

Norwich (WTNH) - After serving hard time inside, often those who paid their debt to society find it hard on the outside, especially when it comes to finding a job.

Have you ever been convicted of a felony? If you've ever filled out a job application, you've had to check either yes or no to that question. But, in Norwich, people applying may soon be able to avoid that inquiry.

"When I made my mistake, I was convicted, oh God, 20-years-ago. I checked the box and never got a call back," Jacqueline Caron said. "I went through that several times."

Jackie, who formed the "Connecticut Pardon Team," helps those convicted of a crime get their lives back on track. One big step: a push to those inside Norwich City Hall to think outside the box. Specifically, removing the section on a city application that asks if you've ever been convicted of a crime.

"You check that box, and once you check that box, any opportunity of an interview is out the window," Caron said.

The Norwich City Council listened carefully to the idea that was presented Monday night. The change, if adopted, would apply to city jobs and those employers who have a contract with the city. But by removing the box, it doesn't  mean an employee history wouldn't be done.

"We will do background checks, the public needs to know that. We are not suggesting we are going to hire criminals for sensitive public positions without checking, without being very sure that they will be good public servants," Alderman Bob Zarnetske said. "We are going to do them at appropriate time."

And that's all Caron is asking for -- that those who made a mistake to simply get a fair chance.

"If you are going to hire somebody, look at their credentials, their expertise," Caron said.