Dear%Mr.%President,%% their%worst%choice.%% job ...civilrightsdocs.info/pdf/criminal-justice/letter-a... · Mr.$President,$we$believe$that$no$one$should$be$defined$by$the$worst$thing$they’ve$done$in$

!

!!!!

!

Dear%Mr.%President,%%

%

We%believe%in%a%God%of%second%chances.%We%believe%that%no%life%should%be%thrown%away.%%

%

Yet%every%day,%nearly%one%in%three%of%our%brothers%and%sisters%are%denied%their%opportunity%for%a%

second%chance%by%a%little%check%box%on%job%applications%%@%their%worth%being%measured%simply%by%

their%worst%choice.%%

%

No%one%should%be%defined%by%the%worst%thing%they’ve%done%in%their%life.%%

%

It’s%time%for%the%White%House%and%the%federal%government%to%lead%the%way%on%adopting%fair@

chance%hiring%practices%for%job@seekers%with%records,%starting%with%“banning%the%box”%on%federal%

job%applications%that%ask%about%prior%convictions.%%

%

As%the%nation’s%largest%network%of%faith@based%community%organizers%with%a%collective%

membership%of%more%than%one%million%families%from%more%than%1,200%congregations%in%21%states,%

PICO%National%Network%is%tirelessly%seeking%to%reform%the%structures%in%our%country%that%deny%

people's%full%dignity%and%restoration.%%

%

During%his%recent%visit%to%Curran@Fromhold%Correctional%Facility%in%Philadelphia,%PA,%Pope%Francis%

declared,%“Jesus%comes%to%meet%us,%so%that%he%can%restore%our%dignity%as%children%of%God.%He%

wants%to%help%us%to%set%out%again,%to%resume%our%journey,%to%recover%our%hope,%to%restore%our%

faith%and%trust.”%%

%

You%can%do%so%much%to%help%our%brothers%and%sisters%with%records%set%out%again%on%their%journey%

with%great%hope.%Please%ban%the%box%on%federal%job%applications%today.%%

%

With%hope%and%determination,%%

%

Pastor%McBride,%Bishop%Ferguson,%and%the%1,390%undersigned%PICO%clergy%and%community%

members%%

%

Rev.%Michael%McBride%

Director%of%Urban%Strategies%and%the%Live%Free%Campaign%

PICO%National%Network%

110%Maryland%Ave%NE,%STE%201,%%

Washington%DC,%20002%

%

Bishop%Darren%A.%Ferguson%%

Senior%Pastor%at%Mt.%Carmel%Baptist%Church%in%Far%Rockaway,%NY%%

A%leader%with%Faith%in%New%York%%

Part%of%the%PICO%National%Network%%

!Mr.$President,$we$believe$that$no$one$should$be$defined$by$the$worst$thing$they’ve$done$in$their$life.$Please$lead$the$way$on$adopting$fair:chance$hiring$practices$for$job:seekers$with$records$by$“banning$the$box”$on$federal$job$applications.$$$$

%

1%

%

Cathy% Lee% 99505% AK% To%make%a%difference%in%the%lives%of%

those%who%made%a%mistake.%We%all%

need%a%second%chance%in%life%mishaps.%

Deborah% Voves% 99516% AK% %%

Sondra% Coleman% 35242% AL% Everybody%makes%mistakes.%Everybody%

deserves%a%second%chance.%

Clifton%J% McMillan%Sr% 35080% AL% %%

william% merriweather% 35215% AL% %%

Jonathan% Mitchell% 35757% AL% %%

Patricia% Outlaw% 35005% AL% I%believe%in%the%God%of%second%chances!%

Rose% Packer% 35212@329% AL% R.M.%Packer%

Peg% Schoettlin% 35801% AL% This%matters%to%me%President%Obama!%

My%son%is%a%one%time%offender%15%years%

ago.%He%wants%to%vote%and%enjoy%all%the%

rights%of%a%citizen%without%carrying%his%

mistake%forever.%USA%was%founded%on%

Christian/Spiritual%principles.%One%of%

which%is%forgiveness.%Not%allowing%

offenders%to%take%part%in%their%rights%is%

to%say%to%them%"You%don't%matter%AND%

YOU'LL%NEVER%MATTER.%My%son%is%

strong%in%his%faith%and%is%part%of%a%prison%

ministry.%But%I%can%see%how%others%in%

similar%position%would%be%suicide%risks.%

Please%don't%throw%our%people%away!%

Thank%you%

Daniel% Schwartz% 35203% AL% %%

Jane% Sweeney% 35244% AL% %%

Celia% Sweet% 35215% AL% This%matters%to%me%because%so%many%

come%out%of%prison%and%can't%get%a%job%

because%they%have%to%check%that%box%

and%as%soon%as%they%see%the%box%

checked,%that%person%has%no%chance%of%

getting%even%a%low%paying%job.%I%know%of%

an%inmate%who%put%himself%through%

school%while%in%prison,%got%degrees%and%

when%he%went%to%get%a%job%at%a%

University,%he%didn't%check%that%box,%

and%apparently%they%did%a%background%

check%and%when%they%found%out%he%had%

been%in%prison,%the%fire%him%

immediately,%even%though%he%had%been%

on%the%job%and%doing%above%average%

work.%Please%take%that%box%off%those%

forms.%


%

2%

Tome% Williams% 35405% AL% I%made%a%mistake%at%only%20%years%old.%I%

was%convicted%of%a%felony%for%my%first%

time%even%being%in%trouble%&%at%25%

every%dream%or%goal%i%had%is%not%even%

conceivable.%I%want%to%get%married%&%

have%a%family%but%my%future%is%much%

too%gloomy%

Angie% Wright% 35234% AL% The%Box%is%a%life%sentence%for%people%

who%have%already%paid%their%dues%and%

done%their%time,%banning%them%from%a%

chance%at%employment%and%housing.%

Ban%The%Box%is%an%act%of%public%grace%

that%all%deserve.%Rev%Angela%Wright%

Beloved%Community%United%Church%of%

Christ%Birmingham%AL%

Marjorie% cornwell% 72651% AR% %%

Paige% Grimmett% 71913% AR% To%President%Obama%this%is%a%matter%in%

my%life%because%all%people%are%sinners.%

Some%of%us%just%get%caught%and%some%of%

us%don't%.%I%believe%that%since%we%have%a%

forgiving%God%and%he%is%willing%to%give%

us%a%second%chance%why%should%this%box%

not%be%taken%away.%Allow%everyone%

that%is%in%need%of%that%second%chance%at%

life%a%chance.%

Michele% Langston% 72076% AR% %%

Christopher% Walker% 72015% AR% %%

don% benton% 85016% AZ% %%

Monica% Casper% 85718% AZ% %%

Kathleen% Conway% 85283% AZ% %%

Peter% Curia% 85257% AZ% %%

Robert% Eckert% 85713% AZ% %%

Patricia% Gray% 86305% AZ% %%

Helen% Greer% 85705% AZ% %%

Claudia% Harris% 85204% AZ% %%

Amanda% Heffernan% 86005% AZ% %%

Christiane% Heyde% 85741% AZ% %%

Dennis% Hughes% 85254% AZ% %%

Spencer% Hunter% 85719% AZ% %%

Maxine% Jordahl% 85375% AZ% %%

Patricia% Max% 86322% AZ% %%

Brian% McKee% 85719% AZ% %%

Alondra% Mello% 85603% AZ% %%


%

3%

Patricia% Orlinski% 85351% AZ% Give%offenders%a%second%chance%at%

rehab%and%jobs.%

John% Praprotnik% 85021% AZ% %%

Susan% Shaw% 85194% AZ% %%

Hyla% Stanton% 85206% AZ% %%

Allan% Wagenheim% 85248% AZ% %%

Sue% Wilkin% 86401% AZ% %%

Ruth% Zemek% 85018% AZ% Society%must%forgive.%

Jackelin% Aguilar% 95604% CA% %%

Abu@Qadir% Al@Amin% 94112% CA% Dear%Mr.%President:%We%don't%throw%

away%systems%which%falter,%sputter%and%

fail%we%restore%them%for%the%greater%

good,%more%important%the%lives%of%the%

masses%whose%sacrifices%enable%such%

systems%to%exist%in%the%first%place.%Let%us%

restore%dignity%to%people%who%have%

already%paid%the%price%or%their%debt%to%

society.%Lead%as%you%have%been%elected%

to%represent%the%least%to%the%largest%

interest%of%this%American%people.%BAN%

THE%BOX.%Imam%Abu%Qadir%Al@Amin%SF%

Muslim%Community%Center%4760%

Mission%Street%San%Francisco,%CA%94112%

Eileen% Altman% 94303% CA% %%

Mari% Amend% 94110% CA% %%

Jon% Anderholm% 95421% CA% %%

j% angell% 95672% CA% %%

Marylucia% Arace% 92835% CA% %%

maria% Armendariz% 91792% CA% Everyone%deserves%a%second%

opportunity%to%correct%his%or%her%

mistakes.%

Melanie% Aron% 95032% CA% Even%after%Michelle%Alexander's%book%

has%brought%the%reality%of%the%situation%

to%light,%too%little%has%changed.%Let's%

make%it%possible%for%people%to%rebuild%

their%lives.%

Barbara% Babka% 93422% CA% %%

Rosie% Bachand% 95219% CA% %%

Nate% Bacon% 94110% CA% %%

Janiero% Baltrip% 94606% CA% %%

Rina% Bañuelos% 95993% CA% In%order%for%anyone%to%have%a%chance%in%

rehabilitation,%they%must%truly%be%given%

a%second%chance.%


%

4%

Bishop%Edwin% Bass% 63138% CA% To%not%do%so,%condemns%individuals%to%a%

life%of%crime%and%continues%to%devastate%

families.%All%society%benefits%when%

individuals%are%given%access%to%the%

dignity%of%a%job.%

Rachel% Bat@Or% 90035% CA% %%

Abigail% Bates% 90034% CA% %%

Donna% Battle% 94702% CA% %%

John% Baumann% 94610% CA% %%

Maija% Beattie% 95820% CA% %%

Ann% Bein% 90064% CA% %%

Everett% Bell% 90008% CA% Simply%put,%they%have%paid%their%"debt"%

when%they%leave%jail.%But%also,%jobs%

stabilize%families%and%communities.%

Jason% Bell% 94132% CA% I%feel%that%things%will%never%get%better%if%

we%do%not%give%people%chances.%I%am%

living%proof%of%that.%I%am%formerly%

incarcerated%and%now%a%lecture%at%a%CA%

college,%but%if%it%weren’t%for%people%

giving%me%that%chance%I%would%be%doing%

really%bad.%I%definitely%wound%not%be%

able%to%do%much%for%my%kids.%

rosanne% belpedio% 91423% CA% %%

Sam% Bempong% 90045% CA% %%

Terry% Berman% 94606% CA% %%

Richard% Bernier% 92056% CA% %%

Gail% Blackwell% 90043% CA% God%gives%second%chances.%God%

redeems!%

Darielle% Blevins% 92114% CA% %%

Naomi% Bosch% 95472% CA% %%

Karesha% Boyd% 95210% CA% Everyone%deserves%a%second%chance.%If%

not%it’s%called%double%jeopardy.%

Jackie% Boynton% 93940% CA% We%who%have%worked%in%corrections%try%

our%best%to%equip%felons%to%succeed%in%

life%once%they%are%released,%only%to%find%

that%they%are%passed%over@@not%even%

considered@@because%of%their%prior%

convictions.%It's%especially%tragic%when%

someone%demonstrates%seriously%bad%

judgment%as%a%kid%and%continues%to%be%

defined%by%that%mistake%for%the%rest%of%

his%or%her%life.%Yet,%people%can%change.%

I've%seen%it%happen.%It's%time%for%the%

rest%of%us%to%think%outside%of%that%check%

box.%Thanks%for%considering%this.%


%

5%

Julia% Broad% 92804% CA% %%

Sharon% Brostrom% 94610% CA% %%

Benjamin% Burch% 94705% CA% Ban%the%box!%If%a%person%is%actively%

seeking%employment,%they%should%not%

be%punished%further%for%past%mistakes%

michael% burch% 94707% CA% %%

Robert% Burk% 90024% CA% %%

Francine% Burnett% 95655% CA% %%

Amanda% Burr% 92263% CA% Let%us%give%the%human%spirit%a%second%

chance%to%thrive%and%become%all%that%

God%intended%it%to%be.%

Anton% Burrell% 94610% CA% Hello%Mr.%President,%This%action%allows%

our%community%to%begin%to%become%

whole.%Too%many%of%our%community%not%

only%have%been%imprisoned%unjustly,%

laws%are%in%place%to%aid%in%their%

returning%to%prison.%As%you%go%to%

prisons%and%talk%about%incarceration,%

please%ban%the%box%on%federal%job%

applications%to%offer%hope%to%those%that%

have%already%been%punished%for%their%

crimes.%This%is%what%the%Audacity%of%

Hope%looks%like%in%our%community.%

Roslyn% Burse% 95206% CA% When%everyone%said%no%I%am%so%glad%

God%gave%me%a%second%chance.%In%order%

for%we%as%a%community%worldwide%to%

succeed%we%must%be%about%offering%

chances%to%those%whom%have%made%

mistakes.%

Arlene% Bustilloz@Lindsey% 09549% CA% I%think%that%a%huge%part%of%why%

offenders%go%back%is%directly%linked%to%

being%unable%to%get%a%job.%Without%the%

second%chance,%how%are%they%supposed%

to%support%themselves%and%their%

families?%

Ray% Bustos% 92832% CA% Because%everybody%deserves%a%second%

chance.%Yes%some%people%either%were%

forced%to%make%bad%choices%or%because%

of%their%situation,%chose%to%make%a%bad%

choice.%Please%leave%a%lasting%legacy%by%

banning%the%federal%box!%You%may%

never%know%the%second%chance%that%

you%may%have%bestowed%upon%

someone,%but%God%will.%

Deborah% Butler% 94803% CA% %%

Matthew% Butler% 95536% CA% %%


%

6%

Cecilia% Canales% 90033% CA% %%

mar% cardenas% 92071% CA% No%one%should%be%defined%by%the%worst%

thing%they’ve%done.%

Michel% Carlyle% 95826% CA% %%

Kevin% Carter% 95817% CA% Its%the%right%thing%to%do%if%we%are%

correcting%the%person%and%showing%that%

they%can%change%its%the%right%thing%to%

do%for%a%society%that%is%mass%

incarcerated%

Terri% Castellanos% 90044% CA% I've%served%youth%and%their%families%for%

over%25%years.%I've%seen%many%young%

adults%make%mistakes%that%ended%with%

them%incarcerated.%Once%they%paid%for%

their%debt%to%society,%they%have%trouble%

when%trying%to%start%their%lives%over.%

Many%are%denied%jobs%due%to%their%

convictions.%As%a%result,%I've%seen%the%

desperation,%homelessness,%and%

hopelessness%in%these%people.%Without%

the%ability%to%work%and%earn%a%living%for%

themselves%or%their%families,%has%left%

some%to%recommit%crimes%out%of%

desperation.%On%the%other%side,%I%have%

seen%others%with%convictions%get%jobs%

with%private%employers%or%non@profits.%

These%fortunate%few%have%shown%

themselves%to%be%trustworthy,%reliable,%

and%good%employees.%Mr.%President,%I%

am%asking%you%to%please%act%so%that%fair@

chance%hiring%practices%are%enacted,%

thus%allowing%these%individuals%a%

chance%at%a%new%beginning.%Thank%you%

for%your%time.%Sincerely,%Maria%T.%

Castellanos%

Bonnie% Cediel% 94708% CA% Banning%the%box%will%help%families!%

Audrey% Chau% 94122% CA% %%

Mohammad% Chaudhry% 94509% CA% God%gives%us%many%chances,%and%He%

commands%us%to%be%merciful.%We%

request%you%to%grant%yet%one%last%

chance%to%those%who%have%faulted%in%

life.%

marilyn% chilcote% 94610% CA% %%

april% Chiu% 95126% CA% %%


%

7%

Judy% Church% 95355% CA% When%prisoners%are%released,%they%

deserve%second%chances%as%citizens:%

they%should%be%able%to%find%jobs,%vote,%

have%a%safe%place%to%live%and%have%

medical%care.%Yet%today%they%are%

defined%by%their%past%mistakes.%It's%time%

for%change!%

Christine% Clifford% 05133% CA% Our%nation%needs%to%end%mass%

incarceration%and%move%to%a%

rehabilitative%model%that%restores%

citizens%to%their%community%ready%to%

contribute%and%participate.%A%huge%part%

of%that%is%having%the%opportunity%for%a%

job.%Mistakes%paid%for%should%not%follow%

a%person%for%the%rest%of%their%lives%and%

prevent%them%from%rejoining%society.%

Mr.%President,%please%help%with%this%

one%small%step%and%"ban%the%box"!%

Ruth% Clifford% 95126% CA% %%

Scott% Coahran% 93635% CA% %%

Lalane% Coaxum% 94602% CA% %%

Howard% Cohen% 94306% CA% %%

Hal% Colebaugh% 92840% CA% For%over%twenty%years%I%have%worked%

with%the%Least,%the%Last%and%the%Lost%in%

Orange%County.%Our%laws%and%law%

enforcement%personnel%do%not%

adequately%discriminate%among%so%

called%law%breakers%for%reasons%beyond%

many%of%our%brothers%and%sisters%whose%

ability%to%choose%is%impaired%by%a%wide%

variety%of%causes.%And%even%when%there%

is%a%more%clear%cut%case%of%breaking%the%

law,%even%they%should%get%second,%third%

etc.%chances.%Jesus%did%not%hang%with%

the%high%and%the%mighty,%but%with%the%

poor,%dispossessed%and%troubled.%

Arthur% Connor% 92549% CA% %%

Anne% Corbin% 95123% CA% %%

norman% cornejo% 92504% CA% My%criminal%record%is%a%result%of%tactics%

used%for%mass%incarceration.%I%can%

accept%not%being%able%to%afford%

leisurely%possessions%but%i%have%

children.%They%shouldn’t%have%to%suffer%

because%of%my%so@called%wrong%doings.%

Catherine% Costas% 94043% CA% %%

Thomas% Cox% 95822% CA% %%


%

8%

Gregory% Coyle% 94114% CA% %%

KURT% CRUGER% 90803% CA% %%

Rossana% Cuellar% 94610% CA% You%don't%know%what's%driven%someone%

to%crime.%Let's%actually%make%the%saying%

"Do%the%crime,%do%the%time"%mean%

something.%They%served%their%time,%

don't%punish%them%for%life!%Thank%you.%

Susan% Cuscuna% 90046% CA% %%

[email protected]% Cymrot@Wu% 94131% CA% %%

Daedalus% D'Alamut% 95726% CA% %%

Elizabeth% Darovic% 93940% CA% I%work%with%prisoners%in%a%volunteer%

writing%class.%The%men%have%done%their%

time%and%desire%to%be%treated%

accordingly.%They've%paid%by%doing%hard%

time%they%don't%need%to%pay%for%the%rest%

of%their%lives.%

Felton% Davis% 94565% CA% %%

Stephen% Dean% 93723% CA% People%have%paid%their%debt%to%

society...%let%them%return%to%it!%

Mark% Dempsey% 95662% CA% %%

Amy% DeSantis% 90025% CA% %%

Jan% Dietzgen% 95014% CA% %%

Liza% Diniakos% 91362% CA% %%

Beverly% Dirtz% 95116% CA% %%

Billy% Dixon% 94603% CA% %%

Michael%C.%Ford% Dr.%Richard%B.%

Marks%

95076% CA% %%

Roy% Dupont% 92701% CA% Its%boxes%such%as%these%that%keep%most%

of%us%who%come%out%of%prison%down%on%

the%poverty%line%when%trying%all%we%can%

to%support%our%family%and%give%our%kids%

a%fair%chance%not%to%follow%the%roads%

we%did%but%unless%u%know%the%right%

person%that%box%almost%guarantees%

failure%in%many%different%ways%that%just%

keep%finding%u%back%where%it%started%u%

work%for%the%people%so%don't%forget%the%

ones%at%the%bottom%

Samuel% Durkin% 94534% CA% %%

Demetries% Edwards% 94601% CA% In%order%for%families%to%be%restored%and%

individuals%to%put%their%lives%back%

together,%we%need%policies%that%make%it%

possible.%


%

9%

Dan% Esposito% 90266% CA% %%

Michael%W% Evans% 90034% CA% %%

Deborah% Fallender% 90405% CA% %%

Devorah% Felder@Levy% 95032% CA% %%

vicki% fellows% 91605% CA% Mr.%President%@%we%believe%in%second%

chances!%

Mary% Fenelon% 94596% CA% Our%laws%make%it%virtually%impossible%

for%people%who%have%made%mistakes%

and%paid%for%them%to%move%on%with%

productive%lives....let's%give%them%a%

chance!%

Christy% Figueroa% 91910% CA% Our%systems%and%politics%have%unfairly%

sentenced%our%men%and%women%of%

color%for%too%many%years%and%as%our%

communities%are%set%up%for%nothing%

more%than%poverty,%with%smoke%shops,%

pollution,%drugs,%gangs,%military%style%

weapons,%barber%shops,%nail%shops,%

liquor%stores,%low%maintenance%streets%

and%buildings,%no%local%banks%in%area,%

fast%food%chains,%no%big%grocery%stores%

eg.%Vons%nor%Sprouts%to%make%healthy%

choices%unless%you%leave%the%

community.%Crack%is%a%cheap%drug%

accessible%to%our%communities;%mental%

health%is%a%direct%result%of%this%

addiction,%leads%to%violence%and%

imprisonment...%Prisons%are%a%business%

paid%for%by%struggling%families.%Murder%

seems%to%be%the%answer..%Boy%toys%are%

readily%sold%in%local%pawnshops.%I%will%

be%a%facilitator%in%many%big%prisons%

soon,%engaging%in%an%educational%

curriculum%to%free%our%families%with%

resources,%dignity%and%education.%They%

pay%their%dues%when%most%go%uncaught,%

but%not%innocent.%2nd%chances%are%

earned%and%we%have%to%provide%all%wrap%

around%resources%to%build%leaders%and%

employees/employers%to%contribute%to%

society%and%pay%taxes%and%love%families.%

Felicity% Figueroa% 92604% CA% %%

jerry% fillingim% 94708% CA% %%

David% Firshein% 94930% CA% %%


%

10%

Curtis% Flemming% 94607% CA% Mr.%President,%we%must%be%smarter%

about%the%causes%of%recidivism,%access%

to%gainful%employment%is%smarter%than%

relegating%whole%segments%of%our%

population%to%the%hard%to%employ%

ranks.%

Anna% Flores% 92411% CA% %%

glenda% flores% 91402% CA% It%is%important%to%transform%oneself.%If%

one%is%being%judged%by%their%past,%they%

do%not%get%that%opportunity.%We%are%in%

the%present%time%and%space.%Let%us%start%

there.%

Jerry% Fox% 95112% CA% Just%this%week%I%encountered%a%hard%

working%young%father%who%was%working%

'under%the%table'%for%$9%an%hour%12%

hours%a%day%at%the%only%job%he's%been%

able%to%find%because%of%his%7%year%old%

record.%

Michelle% Foy% 94114% CA% %%

Leanne% Friedman% 95616% CA% %%

Joseph% Gabriel% 95820% CA% %%

Mary%Ann% Gaido% 92603% CA% %%

Querido% Galdo% 94601% CA% %%

Barbara% Gallman% 94547% CA% President%Obama,%Through%grace%alone%

we%are%all%forgiven%by%God.%As%a%people%

we%need%to%forgive%others%after%they%

have%paid%society's%price%for%their%

crime.%The%check%box%on%job%

applications%asking%about%prior%

convictions%prevents%forgiveness;%

prevents%people%from%becoming%

productive%tax@paying%members%of%

society.%Give%people%a%fair%chance%to%

get%a%job%and%"Ban%the%Box."%

George% Galvis% 94611% CA% %%

Sheri% Gamboa% 94560% CA% I%work%in%the%Labor%Trades%and%we%do%

not%discriminate%against%people%with%

felonies.%I%find%that%allowing%people%to%

apply%fairly%based%upon%their%skills%and%

merit%should%be%our%focus.%If%we%believe%

in%the%justice%system%then%you%have%to%

believe%once%someone%is%released%their%

past%is%behind%them.%This%should%afford%

them%the%opportunity%to%move%forward%

and%with%being%penalized%by%having%to%

check%a%box.%


%

11%

Mary% Gamson% 94611% CA% some%people%are%in%jail%for%minor%

crimes%or%those%they%did%not%commit.%I%

think%those%who%are%not%violent%

criminals%and%those%who%commit%

crimes%such%as%taking%drugs%or%other%

things%that%do%not%harm%anyone%else%

should%be%given%every%opportunity%for%

employment.%

Gina% Gatto% 94546% CA% %%

Susan% Geisler% 95648% CA% %%

Steven% Gelb% 92129% CA% %%

Marge% gianelli% 92124% CA% %%

Cynthia% Gilliam% 92111% CA% God%is%a%God%of%Second%Chances%I%

believe%we%is%having%all%all%one%I%have%

faith%in%God%and%the%one%that%love%him%

Ellie% Gladstone% 94612% CA% %%

Sara% Glascock% 94521% CA% Ban%the%box.%Everyone%deserves%a%

second%chance!%It's%working%in%

Richmond,%CA.%

Sergio% Gomez% 94124% Ca% Everyone%deserves%a%second%chance%as%

a%adopted%child%YOU%KNOW%a%SECOND%

CHANCE%CAN%change%a%life.%

Yesenia% Gonzalez% 95824% CA% %%

Harold% Goodman% 94577% CA% God%believed%in%forgiveness%and%every%

one%deserves%a%second%chance.%

Eve% Gordon% 94501% CA% %%

Jennifer% Goto% 95112% CA% Someone%released%from%prison%needs%

the%opportunity%to%find%a%job%in%order%to%

support%themselves%and%avoid%repeat%

offenses.%Ban%the%box%so%all%can%have%a%

good%chance%at%being%restored%to%

community.%

Rosemary% Graham@Gardner% 90266% CA% %%

Bishop% Grant% 93706% CA% %%

Jim% Grant% 93722% CA% %%

Caryn% Graves% 94702% CA% %%

Martha%Elaine% Graybill% 92118% CA% %%

bert% greenberg% 95135% CA% %%

Trineka% Greer% 95816% CA% %%

Mae% Griffith% 94605% CA% %%

Sarita% Groisser% 94131% CA% %%

Rodrigo% Guerrero% 90011% CA% %%


%

12%

Ranwa% Hammamy% 94612% CA% If%part%of%the%purpose%for%our%"criminal%

Justice"%system%is%to%rehabilitate%

people,%than%reducing%their%capacity%to%

find%work%upon%exit%is%the%exact%

opposite%of%that%ideal.%We%need%to%

create%more%opportunities%for%people%

who%have%been%incarcerated%to%be%able%

to%find%livelihoods%that%enable%them%to%

thrive%in%legal%and%sustainable%ways.%

Let's%empower,%not%exclude,%formerly%

incarcerated%individuals.%

Anastasia% Hansen% 94710% CA% All%people%deserve%to%reenter%their%

communities%without%the%burden%of%

unemployment.%

Lorna% Hardin% 91911% CA% Everyone%deserves%a%second%chance.%

Inmates%who%are%released%have%served%

their%time%and%should%not%have%to%

continue%'paying'.%Let's%help%them%

become%contributing%members%of%

society%and%eliminate%the%barriers%to%a%

productive%life.%

tauheedah% hasan% 95822% CA% Everyone%deserves%a%second%chance%

Linda% Healy% 91108% CA% %%

Peter% Hecht% 95518% CA% Thank%you%for%doing%what%you%can%

during%your%time%as%US%President,%Mr.%

Obama.%Your%vision,%intelligence,%

integrity%and%character%provides%US%

citizens%the%opportunity%to%have%hope%

and%pride%in%their%country%in%the%midst%

of%continued%actions%by%a%well@funded%

elite%to%erode%democracy%and%increase%

human%suffering%on%many%levels.%You%

and%Michelle%are%national%treasures.%

Thank%you.%

J.%Michael% Henderson% 92129% CA% %%

Gene% Herman% 94704% CA% Did%their%time...job%opportunities%

await...yeah...ban%the%box%

Birgit% Hermann% 94117% CA% %%

Carmen% Hernandez% 94597% CA% Everyone%should%get%a%second%chance!%

Cristina% Hernandez% 94509% CA% %%

Laura% Herndon% 91505% CA% %%

Patricia% Herrick% 94040% CA% %%

Lisa% Hicks@Dumanske% 94061% CA% There%would%be%more%opportunity%for%

me%and%my%neighbors%to%get%jobs%if%we%

ban%the%federal%box.%Please%join%us%to%

support%more%opportunity%for%all!%


%

13%

Nancy% Hiestand% 95616% CA% There%but%for%the%grace%of%God...%

Daisy% Hill% 94572% CA% %%

Renee% Hill% 94124% CA% Hi%Mr.%President,%removing%this%box,%

will%allow%for%my%friends%and%family%

members%to%apply%and%possible%be%

employed%in%positions%that%they%are%

qualified%for.%Having%a%second%chance%

means%a%lot%to%them.%To%help%provide%

for%their%families%and%to%feel%human,%to%

be%apart%of%society.%Please%remove%the%

box%and%allow%them%to%experience%

(some)%freedom.%Thank%you%for%your%

time,%Renee%

Nelda% Hills% 94583% CA% God%is%a%God%of%second%chances.%He%is%a%

forgiving%God.%

Bill% Hing% 94116% CA% %%

Virginia% Hollins@Davidson% 94708% CA% This%new%form%of%slavery%is%

unacceptable.%Maintaining%a%forever@

throwaway%class%does%no%one%any%

good.%It%is%past%time%for%America%to%take%

its%collective%foot%off%the%necks%of%those%

identified%as%former%offenders.%Now%is%

the%time%to%practice%the%golden%rule%

and%treat%our%brothers%and%sisters%as%

we%would%wish%to%be%treated.%

Janet% Hoover% 92845% CA% %%

Martin% Horwitz% 94122% CA% %%

Ivan% Huber% 90045% CA% %%

Benita% Huerta% 90043% CA% %%

Betty% Hung% 90031% CA% %%


%

14%

Ann% Hunt% 95501% CA% The%so@called%criminal%justice%system%

has%failed%America.%More%often%than%

not%it%robs%individuals%of%hope,%it%makes%

it%nearly%impossible%for%families%to%stay%

connected%and%when%persons%have%paid%

their%debt,%the%box%makes%it%nearly%

impossible%for%men%and%women%to%re@

enter%any%community%and%to%find%

employment.%Surely%we%can%do%better.%

We%have%incarcerated%so%many%and%

now%we%are%using%our%prisoners%as%

cheap%very%low@wage%for%all%practical%

purposes%slave%labor.%These%men%and%

women%deserve%the%second%chances%

most%of%them%have%earned.%I%care%

because%our%neighborhoods%and%their%

families%need%these%men%and%women%to%

have%the%opportunity%begin%again.%

Praying%for%justice%and%fairness,%

blessings!%

jerry% ibarra% 92804% CA% %%

Karen% Jenne% 91030% CA% %%

Evelice% Jimenez% 95328% CA% %%

Nizma% Jocelyn% 92530% CA% %%

Sandra% John% 95926% CA% %%

Carole% Johnson% 94805% CA% %%

Joy% Johnson% 95626% CA% %%

Toni% Johnson% 95833% CA% My%son%is%coming%home%in%four%months%

from%a%state%correctional%facility.%He%

needs%to%be%able%to%support%himself%

and%family.%Please%sign%this%bill%so%our%

sons%and%daughters%can%become%active%

citizens%and%not%re@offenders.%

Donnell% Jones% 94801% CA% Everyone%in%this%world%deserves%a%

second%chance.%Most%who%are%very%

successful%in%life%has%had%help%from%

something%or%someone%that%

contributed%to%their%success.%Mr.%

President,%please%be%that%help%for%my%

brother.%

Rev.% Jones% 93309% CA% We%believe%in%second%chances.%

Lesire%R.% Jose% 95823% CA% we%believe%no%life%should%be%throw%

away.%


%

15%

Ellen% Katske% 94606% CA% Our%theology%of%punishment%instead%of%

rehabilitation%creates%a%monstrous%lack%

of%societal%empathy%and%compassion,%

which%bleeds%into%all%our%institutions.%

But%for%the%Grace%of%God...%

Tyrone% Kelly% 94112% CA% I%work%with%men%in%recovery%and%

encounter%this%problem%daily.%I%would%

be%awesome%if%someone's%past%history%

was%not%so%limiting%their%future.%

Janet% Kendig% 95665% CA% %%

Rev.William% Kennedy% 94062% CA% %%

Patricia% Keteltas% 94709% CA% I%agree%and%support%this%proposal%for%

people%to%be%given%a%second%chance.%

Without%the%opportunity%for%

employment,%they%would%have%no%

choice,%in%desperation,%but%to%commit%

another%crime%in%order%to%survive.%Give%

them%a%chance%for%a%better%life%once%

they%have%served%their%time%for%their%

crime.%

Irene% Killian%de%Ojeda% 95203% CA% %%

Danny% Kim% 94601% CA% %%

Erina% Kim@Eubanks% 94702% CA% Let's%do%everything%we%can%do%actually%

help%seek%restoration%and%rehabilitation%

for%ALL%returning%citizens.%Everyone%

should%be%given%a%fair%chance%at%

pursuing%meaningful%work,%and%

economic%security%for%returning%citizens%

will%help%reduce%recidivism%and%bring%

down%the%immense%costs%of%

incarceration%in%our%country.%

Barbara% King% 90029% CA% %%

Alan% Kiviat% 94703% CA% Because%you%won't%run%for%office%again,%

but%you%may%have%this%issue%in%the%back%

of%your%mind,%occasionally%the%front,%if%

you%(continue%to)%pass%up%this%

opportunity.%The%Internet%(incl.,%while%

quite%incomplete,%archives%of%the%Web)%

and%databanks%let%all%employers%more%

concerned%with%the%past%than%the%

future,%with%their%cold,%cunning%

attorneys'%advice%than%with%their%moral%

and%spiritual%challengers,%check%up%on%

anyone,%anyway.%But%let's%not%let%the%

very%good%be%the%enemy%of%the%good%

we%can%do.%Hoping,%for%you,%Alan%Kiviat%

Lois% Knowlton% 91941% CA% %%


%

16%

Cindy% Koch% 90807% CA% %%

Karl% Koessel% 95519% CA% %%

Lucy% Kolin% 94610% CA% Dear%Mr.%President,%As%a%Christian%

pastor,%I%too%believe%in%a%God%of%second%

chances.%There%are%no%throwaway%

people%with%God.%I%have%seen%the%

difference%ban%the%box%makes%in%local%

hiring%opportunities%and%in%the%lives%of%

men%and%women%who%are%ready%to%

contribute%to%the%community%and%

support%their%families.%Seeing%ban%the%

box%go%country@wide%would%mean%hope%

for%so%many%people%and%would%put%

many%more%people%back%to%

work...something%good%also%for%our%

country.%Please%ban%the%box%on%federal%

job%applications.%

rebecca% koo% 95129% CA% %%


%

17%

Carol% Kope% 92056% CA% Dear%Mr.%President,%We%believe%in%a%

God%of%second%chances.%We%believe%

that%no%life%should%be%thrown%away.%Yet%

every%day,%nearly%one%in%three%of%our%

brothers%and%sisters%are%denied%their%

opportunity%for%a%second%chance%by%a%

little%check%box%on%job%applications%@%

their%worth%being%measured%simply%by%

their%worst%choice.%No%one%should%be%

defined%by%the%worst%thing%they’ve%

done%in%their%life.%It’s%time%for%the%

White%House%and%the%federal%

government%to%lead%the%way%on%

adopting%fair@chance%hiring%practices%

for%job@seekers%with%records,%starting%

with%“banning%the%box”%on%federal%job%

applications%that%ask%about%prior%

convictions.%As%the%nation’s%largest%

network%of%faith@based%community%

organizers%with%a%collective%

membership%of%more%than%one%million%

families%from%more%than%1,200%

congregations%in%21%states,%PICO%

National%Network%is%tirelessly%seeking%

to%reform%the%structures%in%our%country%

that%deny%people's%full%dignity%and%

restoration.%During%his%recent%visit%to%

Curran@Fromhold%Correctional%Facility%

in%Philadelphia,%PA,%Pope%Francis%

declared,%“Jesus%comes%to%meet%us,%so%

that%he%can%restore%our%dignity%as%

children%of%God.%He%wants%to%help%us%to%

set%out%again,%to%resume%our%journey,%

to%recover%our%hope,%to%restore%our%

faith%and%trust.”%You%can%do%so%much%to%

help%our%brothers%and%sisters%with%

records%set%out%again%on%their%journey%

with%great%hope.%Please%ban%the%box%on%

federal%job%applications%today.%

Connie% Koppes% 95831% CA% Not%being%able%to%find%a%job%because%of%

a%prior%conviction%keeps%too%many%

people%in%poverty%and%unable%to%turn%

their%lives%around.%

Ceara% Kornblum% 95618% CA% %%

Carolyn% Krantz% 94531% CA% Without%a%job,%there%is%no%dignity.%Help%

people%get%jobs%by%eliminating%the%BOX!%

Robert% Krikourian% 95762% CA% %%

Albert% Kueffner% 94609% CA% Ban%the%box%around%second%chances.%


%

18%

Rev.%Kurt% Kuhwald% 94611% CA% %%

lynn% kwasny% 94509% CA% %%

Dorothy% Kwiat% 92115% CA% While%I%have%never%been%incarcerated,%I%

believe,%as%a%person%of%faith%that%it%is%

my%duty%to%promote%fairness%and%

equality%for%all.%Once%a%person%has%

served%his/her%sentence,%their%debt%has%

been%paid%to%society.%Let's%end%it%there%

and%remove%that%box%on%job%

applications.%

Jessica% Landon% 90804% CA% %%

Bob% Lane% 94566% CA% %%

Debbie% Langenbacher% 92832% CA% %%

Kristi% Laughlin% 94612% CA% %%

Dennis% Ledden% 95629% CA% %%

Carol% Lee% 94609% CA% %%

Sarah% Lee% 94122% CA% %%

Stephen% Lee% 95127% CA% %%

Nicholas% Lenchner% 95403% CA% %%

Janet% Lenihan% 94705% CA% Every%person%should%have%a%second%

chance!%

Joanne% Leslie% 90405% CA% The%mother%of%my%daughter's%best%

friend%has%been%incarcerated%for%30%

years%for%one%very%bad%decision.%She%

has%repented,%made%great%

contributions%from%inside%and%is%now%

ready%for%more.%Please%make%it%possible%

for%her%to%get%employment.%

Linda%S.% Lewis% 94704% CA% Blessings%President%Obama,%For%our%

dear%brother%&%Sisters%to%have%a%second%

chance%to%turn%their%lives%around.%

Before%you%leave%office%this%will%be%a%

great%opportunity%to%share%light%where%

it%is%dark%for%those%in%need.%Ban%the%box%

is%the%answer%to%prayers%for%many%that%

are%in%need%for%restoration%in%their%life.%

Your%greatness%is%requested%in%this%

matter%and%something%in%which%only%

you%can%make%a%difference.%Linda%Lewis%

Yolanda% Lichtman% 90046% CA% %%

Karen% Lipney% 94131% CA% %%

Suzanne% Llewellyn% 94597% CA% Denying%people%the%ability%to%get%a%job%

is%a%guarantee%they%will%end%up%back%in%

prison.%Banning%the%box%will%give%them%

a%chance%to%present%themselves%as%they%


%

19%

have%become,%not%as%they%were.%

Sabrina% Lopez% 95337% CA% Would%you%want%a%second%chance?%

FORGIVENESS.%EVERYONE%DESERVES%

ANOTHER%CHANCE.%

Christopher% Lorenzana% 93001% CA% %%

Rev%April% Lussier% 95122% CA% %%

Reginald% Lyles% 94945% CA% Please%give%these%persons%the%

opportunity%to%be%productive%and%have%

the%second%chance%they%deserve.%

Diana% Madoshi% 95765% CA% %%

Janet% Maker% 90024% CA% %%

Carol% Marchi% 94404% CA% %%

Tanti% Martinez% 94541% CA% Because%we%all%should%have%an%

opportunity%at%a%second%chance%and%

not%be%judged%by%our%past.%

Josie% Mascorro% 92377% CA% Please%Mr.%President,%With%the%so%many%

flaws%in%some%of%current%our%laws,%

hundreds%of%former%inmates%that%

deserve%a%second%chance%don't%get%it!%

As%a%mother%of%a%son,%who%did%very%

short%time%in%a%correctional%facility,%

learned%his%lesson,%was%affected%by%that%

�%(in%Red)!%He%than%enrolled%in%a%technical%automotive%school%with%my%

help.%He%graduated,%but%was%denied%

employment%in%a%field%of%his%dreams!%

(You%see,%trade%schools%don't%really%

point%out%that%"Box"%if%Checked%could%

prevent%the%student%from%employment%

opportunities!%They%just%want%to%make%

that%loan).%Also,%my%son%did%no%physical%

harm%to%anyone.%Thank%God!%Still,%he%

had%No%Second%Chance!%As%a%result,%

we're%both%still%paying%thousands%of%

dollars%on%his%school%loan;%thankfully%he%

found%work%in%manufacturing,%but%

wages%are%too%low%for%him%and%his%

family%to%buy/rent%their%own%home.%I%

may%have%presented%two%different%

issues%here,%but%they%both%need%your%

attention!%Start%by%removing%that%

stumbling%box!%

Michael@Ray% Mathews% 95126% CA% %%

Galvin% Mathis% 94704% CA% %%

marsha% maxwell% 94597% CA% %%


%

20%

Byron% Mazire% 94709% CA% This%helps%give%returning%citizens%a%

second%chance%by%advocating%for%fair@

chance%hiring%policies%and%pushing%for%

policies%that%"ban%the%box."%

Heather% McCulloch% 95476% CA% %%

pamela% mcdonald% 92505% CA% %%

Misty% McIntyre% 94501% CA% %%

Joseph% McKellar% 90013% CA% Everyone%deserves%a%chance%to%obtain%a%

dignified%job,%including%those%who%have%

made%mistakes%in%the%past.%Everyone%is%

worthy%of%redemption,%and%a%job%can%

put%people%on%the%fast%track%to%a%new%

life.%

bob% mckenzie% 94610% CA% %%

Kelly% McVey% 92806% CA% %%

Sharon% Meyer% 95610% CA% We%need%to%make%sure%that%all%have%an%

equal%chance%to%get%work!!%

Joel% Meza% 94121% CA% %%

Susan% Millett% 91786% CA% %%

Kent% Minault% 91423% CA% %%

Carolyn% Mogaveo% 92104% CA% %%

Bianca% Molgora% 94110% CA% %%

jean% molinari% 90731% CA% Where%there's%a%will,%there’s%a%way%to%

advance%in%life!%

David% Moody% 43081% CA% %%

Barrett% Moore% 94025% CA% Because%a%life%without%work%leads%to%

poor%choices@%why%force%people%to%not%

work?%

David% Moore% 93117% CA% Prison%America%must%end.%

Alexis% Moreno% 91803% CA% %%

Tom% Morman% 95128% CA% %%

Lauren% Murdock% 93110% CA% %%

Kathleen% Murguia% 93561% CA% %%

Maria%L.% Nieto%Galarza% 94509% CA% %%

Angela% Noel% 94606% CA% %%

Larry% Norton% 94901% CA% %%

Brandy% Novak% 92704% CA% %%

Richard% O'Connor% 94598% CA% %%

Abraham% Oboruemuh% 92515% CA% %%


%

21%

Kathy% Olguin% 92405% CA% Many%relatives%of%mine%deserve%to%

move%forward%with%their%lives%and%

presently%suffer%their%mistakes%in%their%

past%PLEASE%BAN%THE%BOX%MR%

PRESIDENT.%KATHLEEN%OLGUIN%

Beth% Orlik% 92869% CA% %%

Elizabeth% Osborne% 92058% CA% %%

Rev.% Osorio% 94565% CA% We%would%state%that%we%believe%in%

"redemption",%and%yet%in%practice%and%

in%so%many%ways%we%do%not%practice%it.%I%

would%urge%you%to%give%men%and%

women%a%2nd%chance.%

urmila% padmanabhan% 94538% CA% %%

Roberto% Paez% 95831% CA% %%

Cynthia% Papermaster% 94703% CA% %%

john% pasqua% 92025% CA% second%chances%

LISA% PATTON% 94115% CA% %%

Jerry% Peavy% 95926% CA% %%

Suzanne% Pena% 92835% CA% %%

Victor% Perez% 93307% CA% People%do%deserve%a%second%chance.%

The%time%is%now%to%ban%this%box%on%

federal%applications.%We%believe%you%

will%do%the%right%thing.%Victor%Perez%

Mela% Pettis% 91945% CA% Everyone%needs%a%second%chance.%

Thank%you,%Mela%Del%Sol%Pettis%

Troy% Phillips% 92677% CA% People%deserve%a%Second%Chance,%

especially%when%they%are%trying%to%get%

their%life%back%in%order.%It’s%really%hard%

to%find%meaningful%and%gainful%

employment.%It’s%very%depressing%for%

my%family,%and%me%especially%when%I%try%

so%hard.%

Bret% Polish% 90034% CA% %%

Karen% Powell% 94608% CA% %%

Susan% Price@Jang% 95128% CA% My%Godson%went%to%state%prison%for%a%

year.%When%he%was%released,%he%went%

to%Uni.Calif%at%Santa%Cruz%and%

graduated%with%a%degree%in%biology,%but%

he%could%not%get%a%job%because%of%that%

little%box.%Fortunately,%the%International%

Brotherhood%of%Electrical%Workers%

hired%him%on.%He%is%now%a%journeyman%

electrician%and%one%of%the%few%who%

knows%calculus;%he%is%valuable%in%

determining%electrical%loads%in%


%

22%

multistory%buildings.%Don't%let%that%little%

box%on%a%job%application%hold%anyone%

back.%

Kenneth% Providence% 95724% CA% I%have%retire%from%the%department%of%

corrections%after%29.5%years%of%service%

to%the%State%of%CA%and%there%are%guys%

that%gave%the%skill%set%to%do%various%jobs%

and%do%them%well%But%they%are%

not/given/the%chance%to%show%society%

that%they%can%be%a%productive%citizen.%

removing%this%box%will%give%those%with%

skills%the%opportunity%to%make%things%

right%for%their%family%as%well%as%their%

community.%

Leonardo% Quezada% 91706% CA% Dear%President,%I%believe%in%a%God%

second%chances.%Please%give%people%the%

opportunity%to%live%accordingly%to%the%

best%human%standards.%

Jessie% Raeder% 94114% CA% %%

Mitra% Rahnema% CA% CA% %%

Anthony% Ramirez% 92270% CA% Everyone%deserves%a%second%chance.%If%

they%don't%get%that%chance%they%may%

never%be%able%to%support%their%family.%

Daniel% Ramirez% 92705% CA% It%matters%to%me%because%as%an%

Educator%I%know%children%benefit%from%

second%changes.%The%same%will%do%for%

adults%who%need%to%turn%their%life%

around.%Second%changes%give%people%

hope%and%power%to%make%things%right.%

Sheri% Randolph% 92311% CA% %%

Aidah% Rasheed% 94606% CA% %%

Steve% Ratlaff% 93704% CA% %%

Cesar% Reategui% 92653% CA% %%

Mark% Reback% 90042% CA% %%

Maryellen% Redish% 92264% CA% %%

Kristen% Rivers% 90746% CA% %%

Susan% Rizo% 93309% CA% %%

judith% roach% 94027% CA% %%

Merilie% Robertson% 91307% CA% %%

Lena% Robinson% 94608% CA% %%

Nora% Roman% 94110% CA% %%

Victoria% Romo% 95307% CA% %%

Alan% Roselius% 94704% CA% %%


%

23%

Shawn% Rowland% 94702% CA% %%

James% Rude% CA% CA% In%our%Our%Father%prayer,%we%say,%

"forgive%us%as%we%forgive%those%who%sin%

against%us".%This%means%being%sure%

when%we%send%someone%to%prison%that%

it%is%for%God's%glory,%not%just%our%own.%

Sylvia% Ruiz% 90086% CA% %%

Joanne% Russelll% 90007% CA% Together,%we%can%at%least%open%the%

door%to%opportunity!%Free%from%"double%

jeopardy"%needs%to%be%he%order%of%the%

day@@not%just%in%the%a%court%of%law@@once%

a%person%serves%their%sentence,%Denial%

of%basic%civil%right%is%like%giving%a%person%

"life%in%prison'%because%every%avenue%to%

life,%liberty%and%the%pursuit%of%

happiness%is%now%'barred'%by%society,%

Mark% Ruzon% 94043% CA% If%we%don't%make%it%easier%for%ex@

prisoners%to%get%jobs%and%contribute%to%

society,%they%will%likely%wind%up%

prisoners%again.%That%doesn't%help%them%

or%society.%

Tom% Ryan% 94109% CA% %%

Barry% Saltzman% 90035% CA% %%

Maria% Sanchez% 90044% CA% %%

michael% sarabia% 95207% CA% %%

Marijeanne% Sarraille% 94565% CA% %%

Cinnamon% Sartin@Zavala% 94603% CA% %%

Michael% Saso% 90015% CA% we%have%more%prisoners%than%any%

nation%in%the%world,%including%China,%

Burma,%and%N%Korea!%Time%we%gave%

prisoners%a%break,%empty%our%jails,%get%

them%jobs!%

Julie% Saxe@Taller% 94115% CA% %%

Richard% Schiblin% 94709% CA% The%lives%of%all%people%matter.%Let%them%

have%a%second%chance.%

Fern% Schlesinger% 10453% CA% %%

Annette% Schmidt% 94598% CA% %%

Erik% Schnabel% 94134% CA% %%

Lesley% Schultz% 94610% CA% %%

Pamela% Scott% 95006% CA% %%


%

24%

J% Seeley% 90006% CA% I%do%workshops%in%prisons%and%have%

seen%many%of%the%inmates%truly%change%

and%could%be%great%citizens%with%their%

new%wisdom%from%age%and%education%

inside.%They%need%a%second%chance%or%

will%probably%repeat%offend%due%to%no%

choices.%Recidivism%is%a%huge%problem.%

Please%help%to%change%this.%Thanks!%

Carole% Shelton% 95602% CA% %%

Marilyn% Shepherd% 95570% CA% %%

Lenore% Sheridan% 94703% CA% %%

Jo% Siders% 95247% CA% %%

Patrick%A.% Sigala% 91910% CA% %%

BARRY%Edw% SILVERMAN%III% 95945% CA% BELIEVING%THAT%YOU%FULLY%

UNDERSTAND%I%ASK%/SEEK%YOUR%"%YES"%

TO%THIS%BE%WELL%Bo%

Sandra% slater% 94595% CA% %%

alex% slevcove% 94702% CA% %%

David% Smith% 92617% CA% %%

ron% snyder% 94610% CA% Please%sign%now.%We%need%your%

leadership.%

Rachel% Sonnenblick% 95062% CA% %%

Phoebe%Anne% Sorgen% 94708% CA% %%

Alice% Soto% 92703% CA% Without%jobs%there%is%no%opportunity%to%

re@establish%oneself%in%life.%Financial%

stability%is%a%key%to%dignity%and%social%

position.%This%is%a%right!%

Robert% Soto% 92253% CA% %%

Jeremy% Spencer% 94044% CA% %%

Robin% Sperry% 94605% CA% we%release%people%from%prison%because%

we%believe%they%are%ready%to%re%enter%

society.%Lets%let%them%do%that.%Get%rid%

of%the%box.%


%

25%

Nettie% Spitz% 94110% CA% Time%and%time%again%I%have%seen%the%

young%men%I%work%with%complete%an%

interview%with%flying%colors...until%it%

comes%time%for%the%background%check.%

These%young%people%have%come%

through%extremely%difficult%

circumstances,%made%terrible%choices,%

paid%the%price,%and%managed%to%turn%

their%lives%around.%They%are%hard@

working,%industrious,%and%they%deserve%

a%chance%to%pull%themselves%out%of%a%

cycle%they%so%desperately%want%to%

avoid.%Yet%the%constant%denial%of%a%job%

makes%staying%in%that%cycle%their%only%

option%of%survival.%Please%help%bring%

some%restoration%and%dignity%to%people%

who%truly%know%the%value%of%a%hard%

days'%work.%

Jacqui% Stanford% 94611% CA% It's%the%right%thing%to%do.%In%many%

instances,%the%criminal%justice%system%

incarcerate%citizens%not%really%for%

crimes,%but%for%the%criminalization%of%

life,%for%policies%that%don't%serve%the%

poor,%for%being%young.%The%least%we%can%

do%is%BAN%THE%BOX%so%that%when%our%

fellow%citizens%are%released%they%have%

something%of%a%chance.%We%all%know%

that's%right.%

Thomas% Stang% 90043% CA% Tom%stang%

Alli% Starr% 94609% CA% %%

Stacy% Statham@Williams% 93722% CA% %%

Jacqueline% Stehr% 90049% CA% Making%mistakes%is%a%part%of%life%and%

overcoming%those%mistakes%to%lead%a%

good%and%helpful%life%to%others%should%

be%acknowledged.%


%

26%

Marty% Steinman% 93309% CA% Mr.%President,%I%have%met%an%inmate%in%

one%of%CA's%State%correctional%facilities,%

through%our%church's%involvement%with%

Get%on%the%Bus,%a%program%where%we%

take%children%with%their%care%givers%to%

visit%their%incarcerated%Mothers%or%

Fathers%for%Mother's%or%Father's%Day%

visits.%This%father%has%been%totally%

turned%around%by%his%time%in%prison,%

getting%his%GED,%several%AA%degrees,%

and%working%now%on%a%BS%degree%in%

social%work.%He%has%mentored%other%

inmates%and%helped%them%achieve%

educational%goals.%He%deserves%a%

chance%to%get%a%job%at%a%level%

commensurate%with%his%academic%

achievements%when%he%gets%out%of%

prison.%Please%help%give%him%a%second%

chance!%

John% Steponaitis% 94109% CA% %%

Jesse% Stout% 94102% CA% %%

Joel% Streicker% 94114% CA% %%

Josh% Stromberg% 94702% CA% I%believe%in%second%chances.%I%believe%

that%the%worst%thing%a%person%does%in%

their%life%does%not%define%their%identity%

forever.%

chris% sturgis% 87501% CA% %%

Rachel% Subega% 95116% CA% It%is%the%right%and%just%thing%to%do.%

Natalie% Sue% 95204% CA% %%

Susan% Swope% 94062% CA% The%inability%to%get%a%job%with%a%living%

wage%is%one%of%the%greatest%hurdles%to%

rehabilitation%and%contributor%to%

recidivism.%Please%help%returning%

citizens%become%productive,%tax@paying%

citizens%by%removing%this%barrier%to%

employment.%

Ria% Tanz%Kubota% 94803% CA% Last%hired%first%fired%still%stands%today%as%

it%did%in%my%youth%in%the%1950s.%Add%

first%jailed%to%the%mix%and%an%unjust%so@

called%justice%system%and%we're%making%

men,%especially%men%of%color,%throw@

aways.%They%deserve%work%

opportunities.%

Joanne% Tenney% 92026% CA% %%

Ernest% Thayer% 94114% CA% %%

Rev.% Thomas% 95051% CA% It's%the%right%thing%to%do.%


%

27%

Joan% Thompson% 94801% CA% Joan%L.T.%Katzenberger%

Wynne% Thompson% 91104% CA% %%

Amber% Tidwell% 90068% CA% %%

Corey% Timpson% 92530% CA% %%

Michael% Tomczyszyn% 94132% CA% %%

pharris% treskunoff% 95833% CA% %%

Mary% Trujillo% 92805% CA% %%

Ronit% Tsadok% 90035% CA% %%

Rev.% Vanhook% 94801% CA% Dear%Mr.%President,%I%believe%PICO%has%

done%a%wonderful%job%making%the%

appeal%to%get%a%policy%in%effect%that%

diminishes%some%of%the%obstacles%the%

oppressed%of%this%Nation%is%facing.%This%

issue%matters%to%me%because%I%want%to%

be%an%agent%of%social%transformation.%I%

believe%many%oppressed%people%will%

cease%to%make%poor%choices%if%they%feel%

hope%for%a%better%life.%It%is%apparent%

that%our%social%and%political%structure%

holds%a%major%responsibility%concerning%

the%poor%and%disenfranchised.%Our%

agencies%now%have%an%opportunity%to%

take%steps%to%rectify%their%mistakes.%

Please%consider%not%only%this%proposal%

but%many%more%that%will%begin%to%heal%

those%who%our%Nation%has%hurt.%Thank%

you%much,%Marcus%Van%Hook%

Eva% Vargas% 92113% CA% %%

Yulisa% Vargas% 95540% CA% %%

joe%and%mary% volpe% 93002% CA% %%

Laura% Wahpepah% 94803% CA% %%

Alecia% Walker% 94536% CA% Alecia%D.Walker%

Maryrose% Wall% 95127% CA% %%

Li@hsia% Wang% 94705% CA% %%

Mary%Lou% Watson% 94702% CA% %%

Marci% Wayman% 90803% CA% %%

Henry% Weinberg% 93110% CA% %%

Lorraine% Wenzler% 94587% CA% %%

William%A.% Wiggins% 95818% CA% Everyone%should%have%a%second%chance.%

Matty% Wilder% 90405% CA% %%

Ann% Willard% 94028% CA% %%

Harriet% Wolf% 95126% CA% %%


%

28%

Rebecca% Wolfing% 95820% CA% %%

kathy% wood% 95816% CA% %%

Darlene% Yan% 94704% CA% Everyone%deserves%a%second%chance!%

Elaine% Younes% 92804% CA% %%

Sheila% Young@Eberhart% 94804% CA% Mr.%President,%My%name%is%Sheila%

Young@Eberhart%and%I%do%believe%in%

second%chances.%I%work%for%Rubicon%

bakery%in%Richmond%CA.%We%do%not%

judge%people%on%their%past%we%judge%

them%on%their%work%ethic.%Rubicon%

bakery%gave%me%a%second%chance%which%

saved%my%life%and%gave%me%the%

opportunity%to%become%a%productive%

member%of%society.%Second%chances%are%

life%saver.%Please%ban%the%box.%If%you%

would%like%to%know%more%about%our%

bakery%and%the%second%chances%we%

provide%you%can%look%on%Facebook%we%

also%have%a%web%page.%Thanks%for%your%

time.%

Rich% Yurman% 94618% CA% %%

Sara% Zacharia% 90077% CA% %%

Greg% Zapf% 91360% CA% My%God%is%not%a%God%of%retribution.%

Jesus%is%a%God%that%gives%hope%and%a%

future.%

Ami% Zusman% 94611% CA% %%

Eileen% [not%provided]% 80442% CO% %%

Diane% Alpern% 80025% CO% %%

Bob% Armintor% 80907% CO% %%

William% Baumgartner% 80302% CO% %%

Saadia% Behar% 80209% CO% %%

Ella% Blowers% 80218% CO% %%

Bonita% Bock% 80218% CO% %%

Nelson% Bock% 80205% CO% %%

sharon% Bridgeforth% 80207% CO% Mr.%President,%We%serve%a%GOD%that%

values%all%lives!%All%of%us%have%made%

mistakes%unfortunately,%some%mistakes%

carry%a%heavy%burden.%As%the%Board%

chair%of%a%PICO%affiliate,%everyone%

should%have%a%second%chance.%Don't%

make%someone's%mistake%make%them%

pay%for%the%rest%of%their%lives,%that%is%

cruel%and%unusual%punishment!%Thank%

you%Sharon%Bridgeforth%Together%

Colorado%


%

29%

Sandy% Brown% 80301% CO% First%of%all,%as%much%as%we%would%like%to%

pretend%otherwise,%our%justice%system%

convicts%many%innocent%people.%DNA%

tests%have%proven%that.%I%know%first%

hand%because%a%college%friend%of%mine's%

brother%was%imprisoned%in%

Pennsylvania%for%life%for%a%crime%he%

didn't%commit.%His%conviction%was%

heavily%laden%with%racial%prejudice.%His%

father,%a%professor%emeritus%in%Physics,%

died%heart%broken.%While%in%prison,%he%

managed%to%complete%a%college%

education%and%developed%a%literacy%

program%for%prison%inmates.%However,%

even%if%he%is%lucky%enough%to%get%out%of%

prison,%he%would%not%be%able%to%find%a%

job.%I%live%in%Colorado,%the%only%jobs%

that%people%with%felony%convictions%in%

their%past%can%get,%is%working%on%a%road%

crew.%Low%pay,%no%future.%A%young%

person%who%does%commit%a%felony,%and%

is%convicted%fairly,%might%have%made%1%

mistake%in%their%short%lives%and%face%

unemployment%after%prison%for%the%rest%

of%their%lives.%We%incarcerate%more%or%

our%population%per%capita%than%even%

the%most%totalitarian%regimes%in%the%

world.%A%vast%disproportion%of%those%

folks%are%minorities.%We%cannot%fix%all%

the%problems%with%our%blatantly%unjust%

prison%system,%but%we%can%fix%this%one.%

President%Obama,%I%maxed%out%my%

contributions%to%you%for%2%years,%I%

canvassed%for%you%for%2%years.%Please%

do%this%for%your%people.%Be%the%man%of%

Hope%we%all%prayed%you%would%be.%

Tanina% Davanzo% 80302% CO% %%

Mary%Ann% Dimand% 80005% CO% Permitting%the%box%on%employment%

applications%multiplies%the%effects%of%

our%already@destructive%justice%and%

imprisonment%system.%

tawnja% engebretson% 80526% CO% Jobs%are%limited%as%a%felon.%Not%to%

mention%once%you%served%your%

sentence%you%are%supposed%to%be%

"REHABILATATED".%


%

30%

Jean% Ferguson% 81236% CO% The%responsibility%to%vote%is%an%integral%

right%to%all%people%who%want%to%

participate%in%sustaining%a%healthy%and%

hopeful%democracy%in%America.%Pope%

Francis%summed%it%up%beautifully.%All%

persons%with%a%record%have%served%their%

time,%during%which%they%were%denied%

the%privilege%to%vote.%Now%they%are%free%

to%fully%participate%in%one%of%the%most%

important%privileges%of%being%an%

American%Citizen.%No%reason%not%to%

support%this%transition%in%one's%life.%

Maria%Flores% Flores% 80221% CO% %%

Peggy% Gonder% 80031% CO% %%

Cornelia% Hall% 80218% CO% %%

Noemi% Herrera% 80210% CO% People%of%Color%need%a%real%opportunity%

to%life.%We%can't%continue%to%shut%

society%completely%and%not%lend%a%hand%

to%those%who%really%need%us.%Band%the%

box%and%everyone%an%opportunity%to%

restore%their%lives.%

Evelyn% Hutt% 80220% CO% %%

Regina% Jones% 80238% CO% There%are%a%lot%of%people%who%have%

made%mistakes%in%their%life%and%are%

asking%for%a%2nd%chance.%Those%who%

truly%are%trying%are%not%given%a%chance%

and%eventually%rather%than%face%

homelessness,%they%go%back%to%or%

change%up%the%crime%they%have%

committed.%Banning%the%box%will%give%

them%a%chance.%

Peggy% Kelly% 80210% CO% Simply,%"the%box"%is%not%fair.%People%

who%have%not%killed%or%maimed%or%

ruined%someone%else's%life%deserve%to%

have%a%second%chance.%

John% Kerr% 80203% CO% %%

Suzy% King% 80220% CO% %%

Ellen% Laverdure% 80026% CO% My%sister%was%incarcerated%for%a%

nonviolent%crime.%She%has%since%served%

her%time,%but%after%her%release%found%it%

impossible%to%find%work%in%her%field,%or%

related%fields.%She%eventually%found%

employment%as%a%telephone%customer%

rep.;%she%is%63%years%old.%

Patty% Lawless% 80205% CO% Ban%the%box%now!%


%

31%

Donna% Lucero% 80120% CO% Having%had%children%and%grandchildren,%

I%have%seen%kids%do%a%complete%turn%

around.%Therefore,%I%do%not%believe%

they%should%pay%their%whole%lives%for%

mistakes%made%before%their%brains%have%

completely%developed.%

Cindy% Massey% 80120% CO% I've%NEVER%been%to%jail%but%HAVE%BEEN%

the%boss%of%OVER%100%people,%many%

had%been%to%jail,%and%giving%a%chance%

keeps%really%decent%people%from%having%

to%do%things%that%will%put%them%back%in%

jail.%I'm%perfectly%happy%to%hire%people%

based%on%who%they%are%as%employees,%

not%on%their%past.%Many%people%who%

had%not%been%to%jail%were%worse%than%

some%of%the%people%I%gave%chances%to.%

Mark% Meeks% 80421% CO% %%

Fidel%"Butch"% Montoya% 80212% CO% %%

Will% Morris% 80014% CO% %%

EDWARD%G.% MRKVICKA% 80004% CO% %%

Edmond%F% Noel%Jr% 80015% CO% %%

LOUIS% PALAZZINI% 80011% CO% %%

Gail% Pough% 80241% CO% %%

Terry%A.% Purvis@Smith% 80206% CO% %%

Jack% Real% 81601% CO% I%worked%with%migrant%workers%in%

Illinois%and%I%now%teach%English%as%a%

Second%Language%here%in%Colorado.%The%

pain%and%suffering%individuals%and%

families%suffer%because%of%an%

impossible%legal%tangle%must%be%fixed.%

Rev.%Dr.%Anne% Rice@%Jones% 80228% CO% %%

Ruth% Rinehart% 80403% CO% President%Obama,%we%know%you%know%

that%our%justice%system%has%been%

broken,%and%that%people%of%color%have%

suffered%the%most.%This%one%measure%

might%seem%small,%taking%the%check%box%

off%of%job%applications,%but%it%will%be%

life@changing%for%those%affected.%You%

know%this%is%the%right%thing%to%do!%Ruth%

Rinehart%Intern%Minister%Boulder%Valley%

Unitarian%Universalist%Fellowship%1241%

Ceres%Dr.%Lafayette%Co.%80026%

Rachel% Scarlata% 80814% CO% %%

Nathan% Soule@Hill% 80631% CO% %%


%

32%

Marilyn% Stranske% 80223% CO% Dear%President%Obama,%People%who%

have%served%their%time%and%paid%for%

their%offenses%are%nevertheless%made%

to%pay%again%when%they%can't%get%a%job%

due%the%"box"%on%federal%applications.%

You%have%the%power%to%give%them%a%

FAIR%CHANCE%at%a%new%start%by%

mandating%that%the%box%be%removed%

from%federal%applications.%We%pray%that%

you%will%courageously%use%your%power%

to%make%it%so!%

Carmela% Trujillo% 80919% CO% %%

Mary% Williams% 80214% CO% I%work%in%a%center%that%provides%shelter%

for%those%experiencing%homelessness.%

So%many%are%those%who%have%been%

released%from%jail%or%prison%but%with%no%

resources%and%no%one%to%believe%in%

them.%It%is%difficult%enough%to%make%it%in%

the%world%without%having%a%"scarlet%

letter".%Good%people%who%are%trying%to%

make%a%new%start%are%pushed%back%into%

the%system%because%no%one%will%give%

them%jobs.%Where%is%the%compassion,%

the%hand%of%faith,%the%willingness%to%

trust?%

Marie% Alford@Harkey% 06460% CT% The%war%on%drugs%and%mass%

incarceration%serve%as%a%caste%system%

based%on%race%in%this%country.%"Banning%

the%box"%on%federal%job%applications%

would%be%a%small%step%toward%the%

systemic%change%that%we%need.%As%a%

Christian%and%a%religious%leader,%I%urge%

you%to%act.%

Joshua% Angelus% 06710% CT% %%

Drew% Cucuzza% 06515% CT% %%

RACHEL% GIRSHICK% 06247% CT% STATE%SANCTIONED%EXECUTION%IS%

STILL%MURDER.%

pamela% joseph% 06880% CT% %%

Doris% Munger% 06840% CT% %%

Pat% Preziosi% 06511% CT% I%think%that%non@violent%inmates%should%

have%a%second%chance%to%make%

something%positive%in%their%lives.%I%hope%

you%will%agree.%


%

33%

Jessica% Breslin% 20009% DC% My%brother%was%released%from%prison%

after%a%nonviolent%drug%offense.%He%was%

set%on%turning%his%life%around%and%

becoming%a%productive%member%of%

society.%Yet,%after%years%of%not%being%

able%to%find%a%job,%his%only%option%was%

to%turn%to%side@jobs,%plumbing,%

mechanics,%etc.%Even%that%was%not%

enough%to%provide%for%his%family.%The%

easiest%way%to%make%money%was%to%go%

back%to%selling%drugs.%He%knew%it%was%

wrong%but%placed%the%hunger%of%his%

children%over%obeying%the%law.%If%he%

would%have%been%allowed%a%chance%at%

employment,%a%chance%to%become%a%

tax@paying%citizen,%he%wouldn't%be%in%

the%mess%he's%currently%in.%It's%up%to%

you,%Mr.%President.%We'll%support%you%

every%step%of%the%way.%Respectfully,%

Jessica%Breslin%

Rebecca% Cole% 20010% DC% President%Obama,%I%work%with%the%

Youth%Christian%Power%DC%youth%group%

in%collaboration%with%the%New%

Community%Church%and%Hope%and%a%

Home%in%Washington,%DC.%Many%of%our%

youth%have%family%members%who%are%

incarcerated%and%will%return%to%their%

communities%with%records.%My%hope%is%

to%see%all%of%these%people%have%

opportunities%for%restoration.%One%of%

the%ways%for%them%to%restore%their%lives%

with%their%families%is%to%have%

opportunities%to%work%and%change%the%

environment%in%which%they%were%living%

before%their%time%of%incarceration.%

Please%ban%the%box%on%federal%job%

applications%so%that%the%family%

members%of%our%youth%have%a%chance%

to%restore%their%lives.%

Barbara% Gerlach% 20012% DC% %%

Joseph% Hiatt% 20015% DC% %%


%

34%

Joseph% Izzo% 20017% DC% Our%God%is%a%God%of%forgiveness%and%

unconditional%love.%Unfortunately,%our%

criminal%justice%system%isn't.%However,%

no%one%who%has%served%time%for%any%

crime%should%be%punished%a%second%

time%by%being%denied%employment%

opportunities%for%a%past%mistake.%If%a%

person%is%qualified%for%a%job%based%on%

their%skills%and/or%education%their%past%

convictions%and%time%served%shouldn't%

be%an%issue.%Most%employers%do%

background%checks%before%they%offer%

someone%a%job%so%the%information%will%

come%out%but%it%shouldn't%have%to%at%

the%time%of%application.%

Fr.%Didace% Kamana% DC%20020% DC% This%is%a%way%to%spreading%poverty%and%

conflict%among%communities.%I%do%

believe%that%human%being%is%capable%of%

change:%From%bad%behaviors%to%good%

ones.%Human%being%can%change%his/her%

life%and%the%community%where%he/she%

live%in.%

Joseph% Palacios% 92234% DC% %%

Lauren% Spokane% 20002% DC% Everyone%deserves%a%second%chance.%

Please%take%a%lead%on%this%important%

issue!%

heather% wilson% 20010% DC% %%

Shane% Worth% 20007% DC% %%

Agnes% Brien% 19945% DE% It's%time%now.%Judge%not.%

Kim% harris% 19720% DE% %%

Dennis% Abney% 32804% FL% People%who%were%incarcerated%have%

already%paid%their%debt.%They%do%not%

need%to%continue%after%their%prison%

terms%are%completed.%

Yolanda% Axson% 32808% FL% Second%chances%are%vital.%People%have%

paid%their%debt%to%society,%but%society%

won't%allow%them%an%opportunity%to%

live%forgiven.%It's%not%fair.%It's%not%right.%

It's%not%America.%

Charlie% Banks% 32701% FL% %%


%

35%

Earnestine% Barkley% 32351% FL% We%are%all%given%2nd%chances%in%many%

areas%of%our%lives.%An%individual%may%

make%a%terrible%mistake%that%

sometimes%doesn't%warrant%the%severe%

punishment%they%are%given.%There%are%

other%options%that%would%allow%many%

individuals%to%learn%from%their%mistakes%

without%the%harsh%stigma%of%a%prison%

sentence%that%scars%them%for%life.%As%

the%old%saying%goes,%"There%goes%I%

except%by%the%GRACE%of%God,%our%

Creator.%

Lisa% Bateman% 33467% FL% The%incarcerated%paid%their%dues@let%

them%work!%

Sandra% Brady% 33781% FL% Life%sentences%for%a%non@violent%crime%

is%not%unlike%what%all%the%dictators%of%

the%world%have%subjected%their%citizens%

to.%We%claim%to%be%different,%to%believe%

in%justice,%but%everyone%knows%that%is%

no%longer%the%case.%We%live%in%a%police%

state%where%no%individual%is%safe%from%

the%"system"%and%there%is%no%justice.%

James% Brunton% 33612% FL% %%

marisella% cozier% 33026% FL% Mr.%Obama%every%one%deserve%another%

chance%after%being%in%jail.%

Thomas% Dahl% 34655% FL% %%

c% Day% 32960% FL% Needs%to%be%a%way%to%know%of%violent%

crimes%though.%

Peg% Delegato% 34209% FL% %%

dave% delson% 33487% FL% it%should%be%about%ability%not%nepotism%

Mary% Detrick% 33763% FL% %%

Gayle% Droze% 33411% FL% President%Obama,%This%is%one%thing%that%

would%help%African%Americans.%

Brunie% Emmanuel% 32507% FL% Most%non@violent,%drug%offenders%can%

and%will%return%to%productive%economic%

and%social%lives%if%this%type%barrier%is%

removed%from%their%path.%

Marina% Escobar% 32246% FL% %%

Thomas% Francisco% 33407% FL% %%


%

36%

Stephen% Garrett% 32814% FL% Some%will%say%"the%box"%protects%

citizens%and%taxpayer.%As%a%citizen%and%

taxpayer,%and%as%a%Christian,%I%disagree.%

In%rare%cases%such%a%qualification%might%

be%seen%as%relevant%for%filling%a%job%@%

though%I%find%myself%unable%to%cite%a%

credible%example!%Our%choice%as%the%

guideline%for%federal%hiring%should%and%

must%be%to%ban%"the%box".%

George% Gonzalez% 33708% FL% Christ%gave%second%chances%why%not%us.%

Alexandra% Gordon% 33156% FL% %%

Janie% Hayes% 32534% FL% %%

anne% henry% 34232% FL% %%

Melissa% Hernandez% 33565% FL% Because%Jesus%gives%us%2nd%chances.%

Because%we%are%One%Nation%under%God.%

Because%there%is%no%greater%American%

resource%than%it's%Citizens.%The%People.%

Because%people%are%supposed%to%make%

mistakes.%This%is%where%wisdom%is%born.%

Susanne% Hesse%&%Doug%

Dyer%

32615% FL% %%

Adrienne% Hochberg% 33477% FL% %%

Paul% Horne% 33436% FL% %%

Pastor%Linda% Hudson% 34953% FL% %%

Mary%David% Hydro% 33574% FL% %%

Elizabeth% Jackson% 32967% FL% God%is%a%God%of%second%chances%and%

everyone%is%entitled%to%be%forgiven.%

Donna% Jones% 32505% FL% My%DAUGHTER%has%a%degree%in%

business%but%can't%get%a%job%because%of%

her%record%DONNA%JONES%

gordon% kelly% 34983% FL% %%

David% Kruger% 33615% FL% A%young%friend%of%our%family%continues%

to%have%problems%getting%a%good%job%

because%of%some%poor%decisions%as%a%

teenager%and%"the%box."%My%wife,%

Debby%and%I%have%worked%with%the%

Hillsborough%Organization%for%Progress%

and%Equality%(H.O.P.E.)%here%in%Tampa,%

Florida%to%successfully%eliminate%"the%

box"%from%City%of%Tampa%employment%

applications.%We%believe%it's%time%to%

"Ban%the%Box"%nationally,%Mr.%

President.%The%Reverend%David%P.%

Kruger%and%Mrs.%Dareen%Kruger%

Doug% Landau% 33707% FL% %%


%

37%

Henry% Lawrence% 32401% FL% Forgiveness%

K.%Saquile% Lazenby% 33138% FL% %%

Tammy% Lettieri% 33442% FL% %%

Fairolyn% Livingston% 32757% FL% Everyone%deserves%an%opportunity%to%

work%and%be%a%contributing%member%of%

their%community.%The%lack%of%job%

opportunities%creates%a%vicious%circle%

Brenda% MacInnes% 33843% FL% My%husband%will%be%getting%out%of%

prison%in%March%for%a%non%violent%

offense%it%shouldn't%be%elf%against%him%

Salima% Massey@Smithson% 33319% FL% Mr.%President,%I'm%a%firm%believer%that,%

even%when%people%have%a%past%with%

blemishes,%they%deserve%a%second%

chance%like%the%rest%of%us.%It's%about%

fairness.%

Colleen% McGlone% 34655% FL% %%

Colonel% Meyer% 34286% FL% %%

Lois% Mills% 32803% FL% %%

Christine% Mincey% 32730% FL% People%should%have%the%opportunity%to%

have%a%second%chance.%They%shouldn't%

have%to%pay%for%their%mistakes%the%rest%

of%their%lives.%

Florrie% Moreland% 32835% FL% This%is%important%to%me%because%I%

believe%God...%God%gives%us%all%second%

chances,%so%who%are%we%not%give%this%

same%honor.%It’s%time%for%the%White%

House%and%the%federal%government%to%

lead%the%way%on%adopting%fair@chance%

hiring%practices%for%job@seekers%with%

records,%starting%with%“banning%the%

box”%on%federal%job%applications%that%

ask%about%prior%convictions.%I%am%not%

asking%anyone%to%be%dishonest%about%

their%record,%but%I%am%asking%for%us%to%

give%them%second%chance.%

Frank% Morra% 33030% FL% %%

chontell% mosley% 33712% FL% It%matters%because%many%innocent%poor%

people%who%already%have%paid%

undeserved%time%must%then%also%

continue%paying%throughout%their%

lifetime...also%all%people%upon%release%

from%non%violence%crimes%should%

automatically%be%given%their%full%rights%


%

38%

Hector% Obregon% 33135% FL% Yes%its%unfair%that%after%you%have%paid%

for%th%crime%with%years%of%your%life,%

once%you%have%finished%your%sentence,%

you%still%have%to%live%for%the%rest%of%your%

life%with%a%record%that%claims%you%are%a%

criminal,%making%it%impossible%to%get%a%

decent%job,%so%that%one%may%provide%for%

themselves%and%their%family.%Ask%

yourselves,%who%is%responsible%for%so%

many%recurrent%crimes%and%ask%

yourselves%who%makes%the%career%

criminals%when%they%don’t%have%a%

chance%in%the%regular%workforce.%

marsha% pawlina% 34677% FL% %%

lisa% peacock% 32641% FL% I%am%a%fully%functioning%adult%that%is%

unemployed%because%of%my%PAST%

mistakes%as%I%sit%here%and%watch%my%life%

pass%by%I%fall%deeper%and%deeper%into%a%

depression%that%is%all%so%familiar%as%the%

fuel%to%my%past%tries%to%creep%back%in.%

It’s%my%trust%in%God%that%has%kept%me%

safe%and%sober%those%boxes%on%

applications%are%possibly%the%only%thing%

that%stands%between%a%me%that%is%

employed%and%a%me%that%is%

unemployed.%

Judy% Peter% 33948% FL% %%

Natarsha% Pryor% 32254% FL% %%

Christopher% Radulich% 33572% FL% %%

Robert% Reed% 33511% FL% Too%many%states%refuse%to%restore%

rights%to%non@violent%offenders%@%after%

they%have%completed%their%sentences.%

NOT%so%amazingly,%most%have%

Republican@lead%legislatures.%

Elvis% Reyes% 33510% FL% Not%all%will%recommit%and%I%was%one%of%

them%10%years%ago%and%not%once%have%I%

or%will%I%commit%again.%I%just%need%it%a%

second%chance.%This%is%why%I%support%it%

Mr.%President%

Satchel% Robinson% 33021% FL% %%

Faith% Seabrooks% 32805% FL% Everyone%deserves%another%chance.%It's%

the%right%thing%to%do......%

BrendaLee% Smith% 32303% FL% %%

Geraldine% Smith% 33563% FL% %%

Delena% Stephens@Bowen% 32244% FL% %%


%

39%

Rhonda% Thomas% 33054% FL% Dear%Mr.%President,%I%pray%all%is%well...%

We%all%should%be%so%grateful%that%we%

serve%a%"forgiving%God",%one%that%looks%

beyond%every%fault%,%and%still%take%care%

of%all%our%needs.%I%know%everyone%does%

not%believe%that,...but%yet%we%all%have%

some%time%or%another%asked%someone%

to%forgive%us%and%to%give%us%a%second%

chance..%I%believe%every%deserves%a%

second%chance%do%what%right%for%

themselves%and%for%others.%It%would%

great%if%the%White%House%and%the%

Federal%Government%would%lead%by%

example%on%adopting%fair@chance%hiring%

practices%for%job%seekers%with%records%

starting%with%"Ban%the%box%on%a%federal%

level.%It%would%mean%so%much%to%so%

many%returning%citizens%and%their%

families%if%they%was%given%an%

opportunity%to%seek%employment%so%

they%may%be%able%to%take%care%of%their%

families..%I%encourage%you%once%again,%

please%do%the%right%thing!!!%

amanda% Thunberg% 32099% FL% %%

C.L.% Townsend% 33566% FL% This%is%a%vital%part%of%undoing%the%

discrimination%of%citizens%of%color%in%our%

country.%Thank%you%for%your%efforts%on%

this%IMPORTANT%WORK%to%reform%our%

criminal%justice%system.%

Samantha% Turetsky% 32176% FL% %%

Lashanna% Tyson% 32714% FL% %%

Bill% Ward% 33606% FL% %%

Theo% Webster% 32804% FL% %%

Camilla% Weinandt% 33610% FL% %%

William% Weiskopf% 33548% FL% %%

William% White% 32548% FL% When%justice%has%been%served%and%debt%

paid,%the%stench%of%error%should%not%

hang%over%one's%head%for%life!%

Marjorie% Williams% 32079% FL% %%

Jack% Wolff% 33566% FL% %%

Jennie% Conway% 30236% GA% %%

Vivian% Crawley% 30292% GA% These%persons%have%paid%their%debt%to%

society,%therefore%deserves%a%second%

chance%for%a%better%life.%thank%you%for%

your%support%Vivian%M%Crawley%


%

40%

steve% dalton% 30312% GA% %%

Elaine% Dixon% 30253% GA% %%

D% Foster% 30571% GA% We%are%all%in%need%of%redemption.%Who%

am%I%to%judge?%

Gail% Guinn% 30650% GA% Because%I%have%a%son%in%prison.%

Everyone%deserves%a%second%chance,%

not%just%the%ones%that%are%in%prison%for%

drugs.%We%are%all%only%one%mistake%

away%from%being%locked%up%in%prison.%

G% Hardiman% 30084% GA% %%

Cheryl% Mack% 31313% GA% %%

Wendy% McLeod% 30401% GA% This%issue%greatly%impacts%me%and%the%

members%of%my%family.%Some%of%us%

have%made%bad%choices%and%don't%want%

to%be%judged%by%the%worst%decision%

we've%ever%made.%As%for%me,%when%I%am%

presented%on%paper%to%a%potential%

employer,%landlord,%car%dealer,%or%even%

a%loan%officer%to%name%a%few,%I%wouldn't%

want%to%have%any%dealings%with%me.%

Once%I%get%the%chance%to%share%my%

recent%responsible%lifestyle,%you%get%the%

chance%to%know%me%the%Wendy%who%

has%been%clean%and%sober%for%nearly%5%

yrs.%&%has%had%no%negative%police%

contact,%no%legal%issues%and%lead%a%fairly%

happy%life.%I%am%married%to%the%same%

man%2x%once%in%1997%and%again%in%2013.%

I%have%8%biological%children%ranging%in%

ages%8yrs%to%30yrs%and%they%are%

reasonably%happy.%In%short%I'm%trying%to%

say%I%am%an%addict%in%recovery%and%a%

mental%health%patient%who%sought%and%

still%continues%treatment%and%have%

managed%to%piece%my%life%back%

together.%With%someone%taking%a%

chance%on%me%or%just%simply%not%

judging%me%gave%me%the%opening%I%

needed%to%blossom%and%become%the%

beautiful%butterfly%you%see%before%you%

today.%Thanks%for%listening.%Wendy%%

jack% neal% 30044% GA% Ban%the%box%and%remove%it%from%all%

applications%


%

41%

Alycia% Paledino% 30058% GA% I%received%a%10%year%mandatory%

minimum%sentence%for%Conspiracy%in%

GA@%I%am%still%confused%about%what%the%

charge%even%means.%I%had%never%had%

even%a%speeding%ticket.%Let%alone,%any%

kind%of%issue%with%the%police.%I%have%a%

great%work%history%and%a%Master's%plus.%

After%I%completed%my%incarnation@%I%

came%out%to%no%job%opportunities.%I%was%

told%things%like%"we%don't%want%your%

kind%here."%I%have%struggled%and%

worked%hard.%I%have%worked%hard%and%

moved%up%but%I%am%told%that%I%can%never%

go%too%high%because%I%am%a%felon.%You%

are%cut%from%school,%jobs,%housing,%

opportunity%but%then%told%it's%a%

violation%of%probation%if%you%don't%have%

a%job%and%a%place%to%live%that's%not%near%

any%other%felons.%Obviously,%they%need%

us%to%go%back%to%the%modern%day%

plantation%so%they%(Correctional%

System)%can%have%free%help%on%their%"no%

bid"%contracts.%It's%a%way%of%keeping%

minorities%and%the%poor%where%they%

need%them%so%the%system%can%profit.%I%

meaning%they%didn't%have%badges%and%

titles%their%actions%scream%RICO%to%me.%

You%are%the%only%President%that%has%

ever%watched%out%for%us%that%are%

unfairly%treated.%If%you%won't%do%it%then%

the%rest%sure%won't.%

Sherry% Perkins% 30571% GA% %%

Anna@Marie% Soper@O'Rourke% 30329% GA% %%

Carolynn% Griffith% 96825% HI% %%

Tasha% Kama% 96732% HI% Aloha%President%Obama,%Our%kanaka%

maoli%need%a%second%chance.%As%a%local%

boy%from%Hawaii,%you%know%all%too%well%

the%history%of%the%native%Hawaiian%

people.%And%we%too%deserve%a%second%

chance.%Please%ban%the%box%on%federal%


convictions.%

Javier% Mendez% 96817% HI% %%

bernardo% alayza%mujica% 51111% IA% %%

Joe% Fagan% 50311% IA% %%

Jody% Gibson% 50315% IA% %%


%

42%

Trina% Hawkins% 51106% IA% Please%have%a%Heart,%and%give%theses%

people%a%chance%to%show%you,%and%the%

World,%they%can%succeed!!%can%

Melyssa@Jo% Kelly% 52244% IA% Because,%like%our%great%national%hero%

Brian%Stevenson%says,%"each%of%us%is%

more%than%the%worst%thing%we've%ever%

done."%

Deb% Lincoln% 50322% IA% %%

Ronald% Richardson% 51555% IA% %%

wendy% vasquez% 50314% IA% %%

Micheal% Barry% 83501% ID% %%

Dian% Berger% 83716% ID% %%

Russ% Berger% 83716% ID% %%

Paula% Karpan% 83714% ID% Second%chances%renew%hope.%

Dawn% Albanese% 60007% IL% %%

Michelle% Anderson% 60615% IL% %%

Christine% Azibo% 60619% IL% everyone%deserves%a%second%chance%

God%has%given%me%second%chance%

please%be%in%the%box!!%

Sid% Bachrach% 5423%SV% IL% %%

Gianna% Baker% 60130% IL% %%

Denise% Banks%Robinson% 60619% IL% I'm%the%mother%of%an%Incarcerated%son%

who%was%convicted%of%a%crime%as%a%

witness%and%have%been%unjustly%done%

by%this%justice%system%for%the%last%19%

years.%I%ask%that%our%President%does%not%

allow%the%people%of%incarceration%pay%

for%the%rest%of%their%lives%for%mistakes%

they%may%and%may%not%be%guilty%of.%

Please%allow%them%a%second%chance.%

J% Beverly% 61801% IL% %%

Deborah% Blue% 60827% IL% %%

Edgar%Chico% Bosque% 60507% IL% %%

Michele% Boutin% 60181% IL% %%

Danita% Brown% 60620% IL% %%

Lawrence% Calloway% 60435% IL% %%

Elizabeth% Carpentier% 62002% IL% %%

Daniel%Shawn% Casselberry% 60623% IL% %%

K.%Edward% Copeland% 61102% IL% %%

Joe% Dailey% 60901% IL% %%

Andrea% Davidson% 60616% IL% %%

Mike% Dotson% 62918% IL% %%


%

43%

Teresa% Earp% 60202% IL% My%loved%one%has%had%a%hard%time%

finding%good%employment,%since%he%was%

released%from%prison,%almost%8%years%

ago.%I%know%there%are%so%many%more%

person,%who%have%made%a%mistake,%and%

would%like%a%second%chance!%

Mary%Kay% Flanigan%OSF% 60626% IL% This%is%important%for%all%peoples,%but%

particularly%for%our%Black%sisters%and%

brothers%who%have%been%targeted%for%

arrests...and%more%incarceration.%

Please%sign%for%all%the%people%

Melissa% Flax% 60624% IL% Because%I%need%and%deserve%a%second%

chance.%

MARSHA% Flood% 60563% IL% %%

Jacqui% Foster% 62220% IL% %%

Peter% Gunther% 60625% IL% %%

Vincent% Hardt% 60555% IL% %%

Kathy% Khang% 60048% IL% They%have%paid%their%debt%to%society.%

Let%them%return%with%full%rights!%

Brian% Klubek% 62966% IL% %%

Ronald% Mambu% 60563% IL% I%believe%those%paroled%or%who%have%

served%their%sentence,%should%not%be%

tagged%with%a%life%sentence%of%not%being%

able%to%get%a%decent%job%because%of%

their%past%mistakes%and%transgressions.%

Many%have%committed%non%violent%

crimes%and%need%not%be%forced%into%a%

second%class%status.%

Marilyn% Mason% 60201% IL% %%

Abdullah% Muhammad% 60649% IL% Mr.%President%Obama,%“Banning%The%

Box"%is%a%good%start,%but,%“Banning%The%

Box"%only%moves%box%to%the%rear.%The%

employer%can%still%ask%potential%

employee%about%his/her%background%

the%interview.%The%Federal%and%State%

Prisons%should%provide%the%incarcerated%

with%the%proper%Spiritual%education,%

general%education,%jobs%skill%training,%

and%Entrepreneurial%courses%during%

their%incarceration%would%help%the%

former%inmate%to%do%for%self.%

M.%Elizabeth% Munoz% 60623% IL% %%

Dean% Peerman% 60640% IL% %%


%

44%

Mary% Rawlinson% 60631% IL% Dear%Mr.%President,%thank%you%for%all%

you%do%and%for%the%sacrifices%you%and%

your%family%have%made%in%order%for%you%

to%serve.%This%is%important%to%me%

because%to%deny%the%work%of%the%Holy%

Spirit%in%transforming%the%lives%of%those%

who%have%been%incarcerated%is%a%sin.%

Let%us,%in%all%the%ways%we%can,%infuse%

kindness%into%a%system%characterized%by%

brutality%and%racism.%God%bless%you!%

Tanya% Renelt% 60613% IL% %%

Judith% Schader% 60456% IL% It%is%important%for%returning%citizens%to%

get%a%job%so%that%they%can%become%

productive%stable%members%of%the%

community.%

Steve% Schueth% 60657% IL% %%

Elaine% Torrence% 60433% IL% %%

Charzine% Townsend% 60827% IL% I%believe%everyone%deserves%an%

opportunity%to%turn%their%lives%around%

and%make%a%fresh%start.%We%all%have%

done%something%we%wish%we%had%not%

done,%with%grace%and%mercy%we%were%

given%another%chance.%

Kevin% Tyson% 60619% IL% %%

phyllis% usher% 61856% IL% Rehabilitation%can't%happen%without%a%

job.%Families%are%made%the%victims.%

Oscar% Varnadoe%III% 60620% IL% I%believe%in%a%Jesus%of%grace,%mercy,%and%

redemption.%he%forgives%and%forgets.%

Rev.%Dr.%Oscar%L.%Varnadoe%III%Senior%

Pastor%Greater%Englewood%UMC%

Chicago%IL.%

Janet% Wilhelm% 62278% IL% We%must%respect%the%lives%of%everyone.%

Reginald% Williams% 60484% IL% %%

Valli% Williams% 61103% IL% %%

Judith% Wittner% 60202% IL% %%

Jeremiah% Wright% 60628% IL% %%

Gabriel% Cabrera% 46032% IN% to%be%free%and%able%to%star%allover%again%

because%no%one%is%perfect%neither%

physically%nor%spiritually%and%how%many%

chances%we%received%from%God,%despite%

of%our%poor%humanity%full%of%mistakes.%

Christian% Cirhigiri% 46601% IN% A%person%who%has%already%regretted%

her%wrong%deserves%mercy.%Thank%you%

Mr.%President%for%giving%that%mercy%.%

God%bless%America%


%

45%

Robert% Cooley% 46260% IN% EPHESIANS%2:[email protected]%we%serve%a%

GOD%of%second%chances%

Terry% Criss% 46016% IN% This%is%Terry%Criss..To%whom%this%may%

concern,%I%feel%like%that%I%have%paid%the%

price%for%every%crime%that%I%have%

committed,%meaning%done%time...Now%

that%everything%is%behind%me%and%many%

others..%Everyone%with%felonies%deserve%

a%second%chance%to%obtain%a%good%

paying%job...%

Richard% Doucette% 46228% IN% %%

Ginger% Downey% 46750% IN% %%

Cayla% Dyer% 46017% IN% %%

Linda% Elkins% 46205% IN% We%cannot%expect%people%to%come%out%

of%prison%and%be%law@abiding,%

productive%members%of%society%if%they%

are%blocked%from%employment.%Give%

them%the%dignity%of%a%chance%to%prove%

themselves.%

Judy% Ganser% 46260% IN% If%we%don't%give%people%a%second%

chance,%why%should%we%be%surprised%

when%they%despair%and%turn%to%drugs%or%

crime%again?%

Tom% Glenn% 46244% IN% %%

Judy% Harpenan% 47203% IN% %%

Ruth% Hayes% 46204% IN% I%am%a%felon%and%a%single%mother,%who%

would%like%the%opportunity%to%provide%

for%my%child%and%myself%with%another%

chance.%

Bruce% Hlodnicki% 46226% IN% %%

John% Jackson% 46407% IN% %%

October% Kniess% 46201% IN% %%

Keith% Kriesel% 46268% IN% %%

Stephanie% McCalley% 46224% IN% %%

Miriam% Messing% 46204% IN% I%know%many%women%who%cannot%find%

jobs%that%will%allow%them%to%support%

their%families%all%because%of%having%a%

record.%We%have%to%fix%the%system%if%we%

want%to%go%back%to%being%the%land%of%

opportunity%because%right%now,%that%is%

a%lie%for%a%good%portion%of%citizens.%


%

46%

Vop% Osili% 46204% IN% I%helped%pass%this%law%in%Indianapolis%

last%year%because%it%reduces%the%impact%

of%bias%and%unfair,%subjective%

prejudgment.%The%box%does%not%

discriminate;%it%does%not%ask%if%the%

person%offended%40%years%ago%or%if%the%

person%offended%4%years%ago,%nor%does%

it%discriminate%between%the%ax%

murderer%and%the%habitual%traffic%

offender.%It%is%a%poor%method%of%judging%

a%person's%inclination%to%recommit%

crime,%yet%it%used%too%often%as%an%

arbiter%of%character.%A%person%is%almost%

6%times%more%likely%to%be%called%back%

for%a%second%interview%if%he%or%she%

meets%the%person%doing%the%hiring.%But,%

if%the%box%stands%as%a%sole%juror%on%the%

worth%of%a%person,%that%person%may%

never%have%the%opportunity%for%even%a%

first%interview.%It%is%time%to%ban%the%box%

for%federal%jobs,%Mr.%President.%If%we%

can%do%it%for%our%municipal%jobs%in%

Indianapolis%please%do%it%for%our%federal%

jobs%across%the%nation.%Vop%Osili,%City@

County%Councillor%@%Indianapolis%

Tish% Pyritz% 46220% IN% %%

Kathy% Riester% 46220% IN% Having%a%second%chance%is%important%in%

helping%persons%earn%a%living%and%avoid%

repeat%offenses.%

Emily% Salinas% 46219% IN% %%

Peter% Scott% 46534% IN% %%

Allyn% Stoller% 46701% IN% %%

Joseph% Tobin% 46202% IN% I%visit%regularly%women%and%men%who%

are%incarcerated%in%the%state%and%

federal%correctional%institutions%in%

Indiana.%I%know%the%incredible%obstacles%

that%await%them%as%they%reenter%society%

after%serving%their%time.%We%are%trying%

hard%to%help%them%find%some%dignity%

and%hope.%My%faith%will%not%let%me%do%

otherwise.%

Sharon% Trotter% 46224% IN% %%

Thomas% Trotter% 46220% IN% God%said%that%we%should%forgive%70%x7%

for%the%same%wrong%,%all%we%are%ask%if%a%

second%chance%if%God%show%that%much%

mercy%and%grace%for%sin%against%one%

another%we%should%give%a%person%that%


%

47%

desire%to%work%a%second%chance%.%

Jessie% VanVleet% 46703% IN% Every%one%deserves%a%second%chance.%

Just%because%one%as%myself%was%on%a%

path%of%disobedience%for%a%while%does%

not%mean%that%they%can't%change.%I%

have.%God%forgives,%so%should%our%

judging%of%others%for%their%past%

mistakes.%

Cheryl% Webb% 46268% IN% I%too%believe%in%a%God%of%second%

chances.%Please%do%the%right%thing%and%

get%rid%of%the%box.%After%one%has%served%

their%time%@%don't%release%them%into%a%

life%sentence!%

Clare% Wildhack@Nolan% 46208% IN% %%

Suzanne% Wille% 46202% IN% %%

Angel% Williams% 46037% IN% %%

Brian% Williams% 46140% IN% While%serving%his%time,%my%cousin%

gained%several%business%skills%and%a%

marketing%equivalent%degree.%He%could%

not%get%a%job%upon%release.%However,%

he%was%blessed%to%have%a%relationship%

with%a%person%he%met%through%a%prison%

ministry%that%provided%him%an%

opportunity%to%launch%what%is%now%a%

successful%art%dealership%business.%His%

customers%love%him%and%would%never%

guess%he%served%time.%He%was%fortunate%

but%many%are%not.%If%my%cousin%didn't%

have%to%check%the%felon%box,%most%likely%

any%company%would%have%picked%him%

up.%

Genie% Borrelli% 67416% KS% %%

Mary% Flynn% 66102% KS% I%know%personally%some%young%men%

whose%lives%could/can%be%turned%

around%if%there%were%good%rehab%

programs%during%and%after%prison,%and%

chances%to%show%that%they%are%ready%to%

live%straight%lives.%Our%government,%

symbol%of%opportunity%for%so%many,%

needs%to%extent%that%support%to%those%

who%want%and%have%already%worked%for%

a%second%chance.%PLEASE%get%rid%of%that%

box%on%the%federal%applications%that%

effectively%bans%those%with%any%

convictions%from%a%chance%to%prove%

their%worth%to%our%government.%

Sheila% Karpan% 66048% KS% %%


%

48%

Becky% Salter% 66085% KS% A%good%job%is%the%best%way%for%a%former%

offender%to%remain%"former".%This%

provides%stability%for%the%offender,%

his/her%family,%and%helps%to%reintegrate%

back%into%society.%

Rev.%Stevie% Wkes% 66101% KS% As%a%Pastor%of%a%member%congregation%

of%Communities%Creating%Opportunity,%

so%many%of%the%ex@offenders%I%know%and%

have%mentored%would%benefit%from%

what%I%know%God%would%have%us%

practice%in%the%golden%rule.%Starting%

over%begins%with%opportunity.%

Matthew% Arlyck% 42101% KY% %%

earl% hurt% 41701% KY% Because%we%cant%find%jobs,%we%have%

done%our%time%yet%we%are%punished%for%

life?%

Shirley% Kalina% 41075% KY% %%

Mary%Joyce% Moeller% 41075% KY% %%

Brenna% Tinsley% 42141% KY% %%

Kim% VonderHaar% 40207% KY% %%

Eva% Abbott% 70116% LA% %%

Lisa% Brown% 70119% LA% Lisa%Brown%

Cynthia% Buggage% 70346% LA% Simply%but%not%so%simply,%that%is%the%

right%thing%to%do.%

Simon% Charlene% 70124% LA% Our%God%is%a%God%of%another%chance,%he%

always%provides%a%way%out.%

Barbara% Clement@Wilson% 70031% LA% %%

C.B.% Crossley% 70121% LA% %%

Thelma% Deamer% 70807% LA% %%

Ronnie% Edwards% 70811% LA% %%

James% Green% 70003% LA% %%

Larry% Green% 70113% LA% I%myself%am%going%through%similar%

situation,%not%federal,%but%on%local%

level.%my%mistake,%been%over%ten%years%

ago.%Yes!%Mr.%President,%all%lives%matter,%

and%deserve%another%chance.%

Tony% Grettenberger% 70119% LA% %%

Ellen% Harrison% 70435% LA% %%

SAUNDREA% JACKSONPAYTON% 70116% LA% By%the%grace%of%God%everyone%needs%a%

second%chance%I%have%family%members%

and%they%deserve%a%second%chance%and%

so%does%everybody%else%family%please%

take%the%box%off%praise%God%thank%you%

Deidra% Jones% 70125% LA% %%


%

49%

Frances% Kelley% 71104% LA% %%

Jennifer% LeBlanc% 70820% LA% %%

Dottie% Manieri% 70056% LA% Every%one%deserves%a%second%chance!%

Dolfinette% Martin% 70114% LA% I%am%a%formerly%incarcerated%African%

American%woman%who%was%released%

from%prison%3%years%ago%after%

completing%a%7%year%4%month%sentence%

for%shoplifting.%Since%my%release%I%have%

been%gainfully%employed%by%a%non@

profit%organization%that%focuses%on%

mass%incarceration%and%criminal%justice%

reform.%I%have%also%earned%an%associate%

of%applied%sciences%degree%and%I%am%the%

sole%custodian%of%my%5%year%old%

grandson.%Since%my%release%I%have%

committed%my%life%to%God%and%to%being%

a%voice%of%those%still%incarcerated%for%

years%for%non@%violent%offenses.%Had%I%

not%been%given%a%second%chance%or%

should%I%say%another%chance%I%would%

not%be%the%productive%member%of%

society%that%I%am%today.%I%am%invited%

repeatedly%to%speak%to%others%and%bring%

awareness%to%the%plight%of%mass%

incarceration%of%underprivileged%

minorities%who%most%time%plead%guilty%

to%charges%merely%to%get%home%to%their%

families.%Please%consider%this%petition%

to%give%others%the%same%opportunity%I%

have%been%given.%If%you%would%like%to%

read%my%story%go%to%Vera%Institute%of%

Justices%blog%and%read%more.%Dolfinette%

Martin%is%my%name.%

Charlie% Miller% 70058% LA% Everyone%should%have%a%second%chance%

in%life%once%they%have%paid%for%their%

mistakes.%

Pamela% Perria% 70117% LA% I%have%a%nephew%who%was%a%juvenile%

delinquent.%He%fell%in%with%gangs%in%CA%

despite%the%fact%that%he%had%loving%

working%parents.%Because%of%the%

system,%this%pattern%followed%him%into%

adulthood.%My%nephew%is%54%now.%He's%

totally%repentant%&%a%Christian%who%

diligent%takes%care%of%his%71%yr.%old%

mom,%my%sister.%He%would%love%to%work%

&%be%self@sufficient.%He%cuts%grass,%

paints%houses,%clean%yards%&%whatever%

he%can%do%to%achieve%his%goal.%But%


%

50%

having%a%stead%paying%job%would%

certainly%be%better.%

Cora% Pierce% 70043% LA% %%

Rudy% Rayfield% 70179% LA% Rudy%Rayfield%

Leslie% Reed% 70126% LA% In%order%to%see%a%positive%change%in%the%

World%we%must%recognize%the%

improvement%a%person%has%made%in%

order%to%rebuild%their%lives.%What%you%

recognize%will%grow!%In%other%words%if%

we%want%to%see%change,%we%must%

change%some%things!%

Sylvia% Robinson% 70119% LA% what%is%the%alternative%is%the%question!%

Jakob% Rosenzweig% 70119% LA% %%

Lue% Russell% 70403% LA% We%serve%a%God%of%"another%chance"%

who%has%given%and%gives%many%chances.%

As%a%Christian%nation,%we%should%do%as%

God%does......%for%EVERYONE%deserves%a%

second%chance.%

Dale% Shuger% 70115% LA% %%

Diane% Spaar% 70435% LA% Go%beyond%Ban%the%Box%&%Ban%the%Bias.%

Employers%might%not%have%a%box%but%

they%still%won't%hire%someone%with%a%

conviction%on%their%background.%Our%

family%is%experiencing%that%legal%

discrimination%right%now.%13%white%

collar%professional%job%offers%have%been%

rescinded%since%February.%Having%a%

college%degree%with%10%years%award%

winning%experience%doesn't%outweigh%a%

conviction%on%a%background%report.%

Even%though%the%conviction%wasn't%

violent%or%job%related%&%the%sentence%

was%5%months%in%a%probation%detention%

center,%it%is%still%a%life%sentence%from%

society.%

Terry% Supahan% 95556% LA% Native%Americans%suffer%

disproportionately%in%America's%

criminal%justice%system.%Please%forge%a%

new%vision%for%all%of%us.%

Mark% Walters% 70113% LA% As%a%formerly%incarcerated%person%who%

struggled%for%a%second%chance%and%

when%I%received%it%I%dedicate%my%life%to%

working%to%provide%that%same%chance%

to%other%in%similar%situations.%So%Mr.%

President%go%out%with%a%bang%and%

please%do%your%part%in%banning%the%box.%

I%would%like%to%thank%you%in%advance%on%


%

51%

behave%of%all%formerly%incarcerated%

across%this%nation.%

Brenda% Williams% 70058% LA% I%live%in%the%Incarceration%Capital%of%the%

World%where%breathing%air%while%black%

seems%to%be%a%crime.%On%behalf%of%the%

millions%of%primarily%African%American%

people%of%color%are%incarcerated%at%an%

overwhelmingly%higher%rate%for%the%

SAME%situations%for%which%others%are%

excused,%I%implore%you%to%act%now%to%

prevent%them%(and%others%who%have%

paid%their%dues%and%reformed%their%

lives)%from%being%forever%being%refused%

opportunities%because%of%prior%felony%

convictions.%Let%the%federal%

government%take%the%lead%and%offer%

opportunities%for%full%citizenship%

participation%from%those%we%expect%to%

participate%fully%as%good%citizens.%

Laura% Alves% 02301% MA% Mr%Obama%,%people%deserve%a%second%

chance.%We%have%so%many%negative%

things%going%on%in%this%world.%I%think%it%

would%help%us.%There%are%so%many%

people%that%can't%get%a%job%because%of%

this%and%what%do%they%do%they%steal,%sell%

drugs.%Whatever%it%takes%fir%them%to%get%

money%to%survive%is%what%they%do.%If%

you%give%them%a%second%chance%maybe%

some%of%that%will%stop.%Please.%Sincerely%

Laura%Alves%

joan% amaral% 01915% MA% No%human%being%left%behind%

abdul%cader% asmal% 02492% MA% %%

michaelann% bewsee% 01104% MA% %%

Jay% Caplan% 01093% MA% %%

Roderick% Cherry% 02303% MA% Mr.%The%President,%Thank%you%for%giving%

a%second%chance%to%those%who%acted%

without%thinking%and%already%paid%the%

consequences%for%their%actions.%The%

Bible%says%that%Jesus%asked%His%Father%

to%forgive%those%who%have%mistreated%

and%killed%Him.%We,%as%humans,%who%

are%subject%to%make%mistakes,%we%need%

to%give%a%second%chance.%Once%again,%

thank%you%Mr.%The%President.%Best%

Regards%and%Blessings!%Rev.%J.%Roderick%

Cherry%

Friend% Cronin% 02130% MA% %%


%

52%

Judy% Deutsch% 01776% MA% %%

Joanne% Droppers% 01902% MA% %%

Tony% Dunn% 02152% MA% It%is%difficult%enough%to%get%a%start%in%life%

when%you%are%caught%in%the%cycle%of%

poverty%but%add%incarceration%to%that%

and%it%is%impossible%to%thrive%in%our%

society.%If%someone%wants%to%become%a%

part%of%that%society%it%is%in%all%out%best%

interests%to%find%a%way%to%help%them%

make%it%happen.%If%second%chances%

were%possible%then%prisons%could%

become%the%rehabilitation%centers%

originally%envisioned%for%them.%Tony%

Dunn%

susan% earle% 02139% MA% %%

Fr.%Marc% Fallon% 02744% MA% %%

Elaine% Gifford% 01776% MA% %%

Jane% Gould% 01902% MA% %%

Brian% Greene% 02141% MA% %%

Channa% Guinard% 02720% MA% I%am%one%of%those%people%who%has%

become%a%productive%member%of%my%

community,%I%am%currently%working%at%a%

church%but%only%because%the%Pastor%

here%gave%me%second%chance.%My%cori%

kept%me%sick%for%a%long%time.%I%had%no%

hope%because%in%the%eyes%of%the%

working%world%I%was%unemployable%

according%to%what%was%written%a%

lifetime%ago.%

Henryce% Gumes% 02149% MA% My%husband%is%currently%incarcerated%

and%will%be%eligible%for%parole%at%the%

end%of%next%year.%He%is%a%non@violent%

and%low%risk%offender%and%I%pray%that%he%

will%be%granted%parole%and%will%be%able%

to%resume%his%life%by%gaining%adequate%

employment.%Him%and%other%prior%

inmates%need%the%opportunity%to%be%

able%to%feel%successful%in%life%and%that%

they%are%providing%for%their%families%in%a%

dignified%manner.%I%ask%that%you%ban%

the%box%and%allow%these%men%and%

women%to%have%a%second%chance%to%

contribute%in%a%positive%way%to%their%

communities,%state%and%country.%Thank%

you.%

Paul% Henry% 02180% MA% %%


%

53%

Lara% Hoke% 01810% MA% %%

Kristina% Jacobs% 01801% MA% We%cannot%cast%aside%those%who%are%

working%to%better%their%lives.%

Lauren% Jacobs% 02130% MA% %%

Barbara% Kaplan% 01966% MA% %%

Jenny% Kastner% 02140% MA% Alienating%people%from%society%once%

they%have%paid%for%their%offenses%is%an%

absurdity%and%a%grid%injustice.%

Lydia% Klimczuk% 01075% MA% %%

John% Kramer% 02050% MA% %%

Peter% Kwass% 02130% MA% %%

Margaret% Lanen% 02127% MA% %%

Michael% Lillian% 02135% MA% %%

Theodore% Lukac% 02632% MA% %%

John% MacDougall% 02140% MA% %%

Maureen% McCarthy% 01945% MA% %%

Mary% McCole% 02356% MA% I%am%appalled%at%the%statistics%regarding%

incarceration%in%this%country%and%the%

growing%number%of%homeless%people%

due%in%part%to%the%inability%for%job%

seekers%with%records.%Give%them%a%

chance.%

Robert% Nee% 02657% MA% If%there%are%ongoing%issues%resultant%

from%previous%convictions%they%should%

be%handled%in%needed%job@related%

clearance.%

Laurie% Nehring% 01432% MA% %%

Alan% Papscun% 01229% MA% %%

Cynthia% Parker% 02458% MA% Once%a%person%has%returned%they%

deserve%an%opportunity%to%get%back%on%

their%feet.%This%is%an%important%way%to%

interrupt%the%kind%of%discrimination%

that%makes%it%hard.%

Julia% Petipas% 02144% MA% %%

Jim% Pingeon% 01773% MA% Too%many%people%are%released%from%

prison%ready%to%contribute%to%society%

and%their%families%only%to%be%told%that%

they%aren't%worthy%of%a%job.%They've%

paid%their%debt%and%should%be%able%to%

make%a%fresh%start.%

Michael% Rich% 02452% MA% %%


%

54%

John% Rider% 02748% MA% Dear%President%Obama,%As%one%who%has%

spent%years%helping%individuals%fight%the%

disease%of%substance%abuse%addiction,%I%

teach%the%importance%of%both%

forgiveness%and%taking%responsibility%

for%one's%actions.%As%long%as%someone%is%

structurally%trapped%in%a%negative%place,%

hope%becomes%diminished,%depression%

increases,%and%sustained%Recovery%

becomes%more%difficult%to%achieve.%

Please%do%what%is%within%your%power%to%

help%end%the%ongoing%discrimination%

and%prejudice%that%foster%a%high%rate%of%

recidivism%for%those%who%have%spent%

time%incarcerated.%It%is%highly%unfair%for%

the%shadow%of%one's%past%mistakes%to%

dim%the%Light%of%the%possibilities%of%

one's%life%lived%anew%with%positive%

actions%and%potentials%which%can%be%

bestowed%on%society,%if%someone%who%

has%done%time%if%given%a%second%chance.%

Thank%you%for%your%help%in%this%most%

important%matter.%Sincerely,%John%

P.Rider%

Loretta% Saint@Louis% 02139% MA% I%believe%in%the%principle%of%paying%your%

debt%to%society%and%moving%forward%as%

a%fully%functioning%member%of%society.%

Discriminating%against%those%who%have%

been%incarcerated%makes%successful%

reintegration%impossible.%Ban%the%box.%

Simon% Sakpo% 02301% MA% What%if%we%turned%criminals%into%

rational%and%loyal%citizens%to%build%a%

country%based%on%human%values%thus%

make%the%planet%a%better%place%to%live?%

edythe% salzman% 01886% MA% 700,000%men%are%coming%out%of%prison%

a%year.%They%need%to%find%jobs%or%the%

recidivism%rate%will%soar%and%we%will%

have%the%same%problem%all%over%again.%

Rehabilitate,%Educate%while%they%are%IN%

prison%would%help.%

Mark% Scott% 02124% MA% My%neighbors%need%work.%

Rev.%Mother%Valarie% Seabrook% 02115% MA% Dear%Mr.%President,%We%believe%in%a%

God%of%second%chances.%We%believe%

that%no%life%should%be%thrown%away.%Yet%

every%day,%nearly%one%in%three%of%our%

brothers%and%sisters%are%denied%their%

opportunity%for%a%second%chance%by%a%

little%check%box%on%job%applications%@%


%

55%

their%worth%being%measured%simply%by%

their%worst%choice.%No%one%should%be%

defined%by%the%worst%thing%they’ve%

done%in%their%life.%It’s%time%for%the%

White%House%and%the%federal%

government%to%lead%the%way%on%

adopting%fair@chance%hiring%practices%

for%job@seekers%with%records,%starting%

with%“banning%the%box”%on%federal%job%


convictions.%As%the%nation’s%largest%

network%of%faith@based%community%

organizers%with%a%collective%

membership%of%more%than%one%million%

families%from%more%than%1,200%

congregations%in%21%states,%PICO%

National%Network%is%tirelessly%seeking%

to%reform%the%structures%in%our%country%

that%deny%people's%full%dignity%and%

restoration.%During%his%recent%visit%to%

Curran@Fromhold%Correctional%Facility%

in%Philadelphia,%PA,%Pope%Francis%

declared,%“Jesus%comes%to%meet%us,%so%

that%he%can%restore%our%dignity%as%

children%of%God.%He%wants%to%help%us%to%

set%out%again,%to%resume%our%journey,%

to%recover%our%hope,%to%restore%our%

faith%and%trust.”%You%can%do%so%much%to%

help%our%brothers%and%sisters%with%

records%set%out%again%on%their%journey%

with%great%hope.%Please%ban%the%box%on%

federal%job%applications%today.%With%

hope%and%determination,%Bishop%

Darren%A.%Ferguson,%and%the%

undersigned%PICO%clergy%and%

community%members%Bishop%Darren%A.%

Ferguson%Senior%Pastor%at%Mt.%Carmel%

Baptist%Church%in%Far%Rockaway,%NY%A%

leader%with%Faith%in%New%York%Part%of%

the%PICO%National%Network%110%

Maryland%Ave%NE,%STE%201,%Washington%

DC,%20002%I%agree%with%the%above%

written%statement.%Rev.%Mother%Valarie%

Seabrook%

Jose% Soler% 02740% MA% %%

Toba% Spitzer% 02453% MA% %%

Nadia% Stevens% 02135% MA% %%


%

56%

Carrie% Swayne% 02472% MA% Everyone%deserves%a%second%chance.%

Mr.%President,%these%individuals%have%

already%paid%their%dues%and%done%time%

for%their%crimes.%We%need%not%make%

them%pay%a%second%time%by%making%it%

harder%for%them%to%get%hired%and%start%

fresh.%Let's%ban%this%box%so%that%all%of%

our%brothers%and%sisters%can%have%a%

fighting%chance%to%start%their%lives%

fresh!%

Rachel% Tedesco% 02333% MA% %%

Jonathan% Tetherly% 01056% MA% %%

Margaret% Trenkle% 02301% MA% I%have%worked%with%a%prisoner%through%

our%church%who%was%released%and%got%

to%the%final%stages%in%a%job%interview%

and%then%was%told%"we%don't%hire%

felons".%He%has%remained%drug%free%and%

out%of%prison%now%for%many%years%but%

this%was%a%heartbreaking%event%for%him@

and%us@%after%he%had%worked%so%hard.%

Benito% Vega% 01605% MA% This%issue%is%very%important%to%me%do%to%

my%personal%experience%with%barrier%to%

successful%re@entry.%I%know%that%by%

banning%the%box%will%definitely%generate%

opportunities%for%those%who%other%wise%

thought%they%didn't%have%none.%We%

were%able%to%eliminate%that%questions%

from%job%applications%here%in%

Massachusetts%and%I%can%definitely%say%

that%it%has%helped.%there%are%many%

other%issues%to%reentry%and%opportunity%

we%are%working%on.%But%again%we%need%

to%ban%the%box%all%around%the%nation.%

thank%you%in%advance%Benito%Vega%

[email protected]% Vega% 01605% MA% %%

JOHN% WALSH% 02122% MA% Did%the%time.%should%be%free%man%no%

restrictions.%

Cheryl@Ann% Weekes% 02121% MA% Second%chances%are%essential%if%we%are%

going%to%have%a%healthier%society%and%

prevent%people%from%going%back%to%jail.%

Judi% Weiner% 01907% MA% %%

Patrice% Woeppel% 01039% MA% %%

Kim% Yeasir% 02139% MA% We%need%to%start%defining%people%by%

their%best%qualities,%not%their%lowest%

moments.%We%have%to%be%better%at%

balancing%support%and%accountability%

when%people%get%out.%


%

57%

Tammie% Archie% 20851% MD% %%

Emily% Blank% 20722% MD% Allowing%work%provides%an%alternative%

to%recidivism!%

M.% Frazier% 21208% MD% We%all%deserves%a%second%chance.%

Reginald% Grier% 20747% MD% Everyone%deserves%a%second%chance%

Catherine% Hart% 21771% MD% %%

Julius% Jefferson% 21208% MD% Ban%the%box.%Returning%citizens%deserve%

a%change%to%be%gainfully%employed%so%

that%they%can%support%them%self%and%

their%families.%

Patricia% Kirk% 21093% MD% %%

Br%John% Mahoney% 21229% MD% %%

Douglas% McNeill% 20770% MD% %%

Veronica% Roderick% 20748% MD% As%a%mother,%mentor%and%former%

Department%of%Corrections%employee%

now%knowing%first%hand%the%effects%of%

mass%incarceration%and%unjust%legal%

system%I%plead%that%you%consider%this%

with%all%prayer%and%compassion%to%pass.%

We%look%for%many%ways%to%change%the%

future%of%our%nation,%but%I%believe%it%can%

only%be%done%by%beginning%to%heal%the%

past.%God%Bless...%

Jill% Snodgrass% 21043% MD% %%

Sirina% Sucklal% 20723% MD% %%

Eliezer% Valentin@

Castanon%

21703% MD% This%is%important%because%I%have%been%

given%a%second%chance%by%the%grace%of%

God,%and%I%believe%everyone%deserves%

that%same%opportunity.%Eliminate%"the%

box".%It%is%the%right%thing%to%do.%

Alex% Vishio% 21239% MD% %%

Jan% Wilson% 20850% MD% %%

Cynthia% Handlen% 04102% ME% How%can%a%person%redeem%their%life,%if%

they%are%restricted%from%employment%

opportunities?%

Julia% Hathaway% 04401% ME% %%

suzanne% Hedrick% 04555% ME% %%


%

58%

Leslie% Manning% 04530% ME% As%a%person%of%faith,%active%in%prison%

reform%and%as%a%former%official%in%our%

state%labor%department,%I%know%that%we%

all%benefit%from%the%reintegration%of%the%

formerly%incarcerated%into%our%

communities.%There%is%no%better%way%to%

reduce%recidivism%than%with%a%good%job.%

Mr.%President,%you%have%the%authority%

to%make%this%needed%change,%please%set%

this%example%for%all%of%us.%You%and%your%

advisers%continue%to%be%in%our%prayers.%

With%appreciation%and%blessings.%Leslie%

Manning,%Religious%Society%of%Friends%

and%Friends%Committee%on%Maine%

Public%Policy%

Jeff% Reynolds% 04401% ME% %%

Robert% Ross% 04088% ME% Let%please%show%mercy%and%

rehabilitation%rather%than%retribution.%It%

is%also%more%cost%effective%to%do%so.%

Thank%you,%Rev.%R%Ross%

karen% stickney% 04240% ME% %%

Al% Wheeler% 04101% ME% Let's%educate,%not%incarcerate.%More%

trade%schools,%fewer%prisons,%please.%

Van% Adams% 48202% MI% Van%Adams%

Joe% Arevalo% 49423% MI% %%

Arleen% Barber% 48239% MI% %%

Margaret% Beck% 48236% MI% %%

Philip% Bilyeu% 49747% MI% %%

Gary% Boyers% 48212% MI% %%

Nadia% Brigham% 49512% MI% %%

Christine% Clark% 49001% MI% %%

Dr.%Velma% Clopton% 48220% MI% Yes,%everyone%deserves%a%second%

chance.%One%bad%decision%does%not%

have%to%forever%"mark"%or%define%a%

person's%future.%

Marjorie% Clough% 48169% MI% %%

Keith% D'Alessandro% 48187% MI% %%

Mary% Davis% 48162% MI% %%

Dennis% Feichtinger% 48183% MI% %%

Mary%Ann% Ford% 48212% MI% %%

David% Galbraith% 48532% MI% People%who%commit%crimes%and%had%

served%their%prison%time%deserve%a%

second%chance.%I%know%many%ex@cons%

and%the%ones%i%know%who%are%now%out%


%

59%

of%prison%are%an%asset%to%our%society.%

Hector% Garcia% 48503% MI% Don't%let%second%chances%be%another%

entitlement%for%the%upper%classes.%

Christina% Guzman% 48216% MI% Everyone%needs%a%second%chance.%It%is%

hard%when%no%one%will%hire%you.%Please%

ban%the%box%

Maxxcell% Higdon% 48326% MI% %%

Philip%And%Marie% Holtrop% 49546% MI% Dear%President%Obama,%Having%to%check%

"the%box"%is%cruel%and%inhumane;%it%

makes%people%pay%twice,%triple,%and%

even%for%a%life@time%when%they've%

already%put%in%their%time%for%whatever%

they'd%been%arrested.%In%fact,%many%

such%people%were%innocent%of%the%

crime%for%which%they'd%been%accused:%

they%were%told%to%plead%guilty%in%order%

to%get%a%much%shorter%sentence.%

Unaware%that%they'd%then%be%

designated%a%felon%for%the%rest%of%their%

lives.%They%cannot%even%get%food%

stamps%or%live%in%public%housing;%in%

many%states%they%cannot%even%vote.%

Our%own%son%was%told%he%couldn't%be%

hired%for%a%job%because%he%had%failed%to%

check%the%box@@he%was%told%he%had%a%

felony%conviction.%It%was%a%false%

statement:%he'd%been%arrested%for%not%

paying%a%traffic%fine%(he%thought%he'd%

paid%it,%but%had%had%two%and%only%paid%

one@@he%has%bipolar%disease).%It%was%not%

a%felony,%and%the%record%was%corrected.%

Our%son%is%white.%It%does%appear%to%be%

an%indisputable%fact%that%"the%box"%was%

purposely%devised%to%make%life%

miserable%and%nearly%impossible%for%

people%of%color.%And%if%it%catches%a%few%

whites,%that's%also%good.%As%you%know,%

"the%box"%has%no%place%in%a%democracy.%

Please%do%your%part%in%"banning%the%

box."%Please%help%our%country%return%to%

restorative%justice,%and%get%rid%of%our%

current%recriminatory%injustice.%Thank%

you%for%listening,%Marie%&%Phil%Holtrop%

Denise% Leonard% 48198% MI% %%


%

60%

Peggy% Malnati% 48331% MI% Sometimes%people%make%mistakes.%

Sometimes%police,%prosecutors,%judges%

and%juries%make%mistakes.%Everyone%

who%is%released%from%prison%deserves%

the%opportunity%to%find%a%good@paying%

job%that%makes%use%of%their%skills%and%

gives%them%a%chance%to%give%back%to%

society%while%taking%care%of%their%

financial%needs.%Otherwise,%it's%too%easy%

to%slip%back%into%crime.%Please%make%

this%possible.%

Paul% Markillie% 48439% MI% %%

Fran% Mayes% Arbor% MI% %%

Kathleen% McMahon% 48197% MI% %%

Lori% Mulvey% 49321% MI% %%

cornelius% ocallaghan% 48453% MI% %%

Cecilia% Rauth% 48328% MI% %%

John% Rokas% 48021% MI% %%

Julie% Skelton% 48111% MI% %%

Sheran% Tioran% 48326% MI% %%

Gary% Wright% 48221% MI% %%

Wanda% Ballentine% 55105% MN% %%

Jody% Bitner% 55425% MN% We%have%all%made%mistakes.%When%it%is%

clear%that%the%mistakes%are%in%the%past,%

preventing%people%from%moving%on%

punishes%them%long%past%their%time.%

Please%consider%adopting%fair@hiring%

practices%for%those%trying%to%leave%their%

pasts%behind!%

Karen% Boyd% 55317% MN% Sri%Lanka%has%hardly%any%recidivism.%We%

could%learn%from%their%model%which%

clearly%is%superior.%They%believe%people%

can%change.%We%do%not.%This%is%only%

compounded%by%a%deep%streak%of%

injustice%and%inequality.%We%can%

change,%indeed%the%inevitability%of%

change%is%our%reality%check.%

Sue% Budd% 55416% MN% My%Godson%stands%in%line%night%after%

night,%for%temporary%work,%because%of%

'the%box'.%I%believe%he%deserves%a%better%

chance%than%that.%Please%lead%our%

nation%to%do%what%is%right.%

Elizabeth% Chacich% 55720% MN% %%

Sarah% Dar% 55347% MN% %%

Lorraine% Doherty% 55901% MN% %%


%

61%

Nancy% Eder% 55337% MN% %%

James% Erlandson% 55109% MN% %%

Joan%E.% Gittens% 56169% MN% %%

Carol% Green% 55418% MN% %%

Owen% Gustafson% 55373% MN% %%

Sue% Halligan% 55125% MN% %%

Jennifer% Harris% 55443% MN% %%

C.%John% Hildebrand% 55407% MN% %%

Don% Hon% 55418% MN% %%

Judith% Isaacson% 55735% MN% %%

Cher% Johnson% 55344% MN% %%

Philip% Kerler% 55122% MN% %%

Julie% Knight% 55412% MN% Everyone%deserves%a%second%chance.%

RM% Krebs% 56001% MN% %%

Cameron% Kruse% 55118% MN% %%

Anna% Lynn% 55406% MN% The%rates%of%recidivism%is%high,%partly%

because%we%make%re@integration%so%

hard.%Children%who%are%separated%from%

parents%because%of%incarceration%are%

harmed.%This%is%bad%for%their%health%and%

life!%I%want%to%help%the%16,000%children%

in%Minnesota%who%have%a%parent%in%jail.%

joy% nelson% 55406% MN% This%action%to%level%the%playing%field%for%

federal%job%applications,%would%be%one%

way%of%recognizing%how%difficult%our%

country%makes%life%for%ex@convicts.%SO%

much%harder%than%some%countries,%like%

the%Scandinavian!%

William% Nusbaum% 55426% MN% To%deny%them%a%Second%Chance%is%

UNJUST!%

Donna% Olsen% 55429% MN% %%

Ellen% Olsen% 55104% MN% %%

Mary% Parlin% 55987% MN% There%but%for%the%grace%of%God...%please%

prayerfully%consider%the%following.%

Rudy% Perpich% 55305% MN% %%

Paul% Peterson% 55057% MN% %%

kathleen% spencer% 55806% MN% %%

sandra% spieler% 55407% MN% %%

DeeAnn% Stenlund% 55113% MN% %%

Nancy% Strauss% 55409% MN% %%

Joanne% Sylvander% 55107% MN% %%


%

62%

Marie% Thielen% 55406% MN% Because%work%brings%dignity%and%

everyone%deserves%a%chance%to%work%

and%contribute%to%their%own%and%others'%

wellbeing.%

Barbara% Thomalla% 55127% MN% %%

Denise% Thomas% 55118% MN% %%

John% Viacrucis% 56560% MN% %%

Mark% Vinge% 55428% MN% It's%bad%enough%we%incarcerate%so%many%

people%and%the%high%percentage%that%

are%people%of%color%but%then%their%

opportunity%to%return%to%society%is%

limited%by%ongoing%discrimination%

through%means%such%as%these%type%of%

questions%on%job%applications.%Please%

help%to%give%people%real%opportunity%to%

enjoy%the%gift%of%a%good%job%and%dignity%

that%comes%with%it.%

EDWIN%AND%CAROLYN% WENSMAN% 55110% MN% %%

John% Wozniak% 55412% MN% %%

Karen% Anderson% 63034% MO% Too%many%people%are%denied%access%

employment%because%of%mistakes%made%

early%in%life.%Everyone%should%have%a%

right%to%earn%a%living.%Please%ban%the%

box%

Charles% Bahn% 65605% MO% Personally,%I%know%many%people%

directly%effected%by%unfair%

discrimination%against%previous%

offenders.%People%need%employment.%

We%must%remove%this%barrier%to%their%

efforts%to%find%a%job.%

Carol% Boschert% 63366% MO% %%

Erin% Burroughs% 64141% MO% %%

Vic% Burton% 64113% MO% %%

marvin% clay% 64157% MO% %%

Michael% Gillgannon% 64138% MO% Our%prison%system%is%broken...%from%

jailed%youth%to%mentally%ill%forced%into%

prison...prison%in%the%USA%has%little%to%

do%with%justice%or%rehabilitation%for%

civic%citizenship.%It%is%a%major%industry%

for%private%enterprise.%Forget%our%

governmental.%and%social%responsibility.%

Change%the%whole%system%for%real%social%

justice.%

Robert% Haslag% 65023% MO% %%

robert% heyer% 64112% MO% %%


%

63%

Rebecca% Klemme%Eliceiri% 63119% MO% %%

Sister%Clare%An% Litteken%C.PP.S.% 63118% MO% %%

lopamudra% Mohanty% 63376% MO% %%

Tracy% Nathan% 63132% MO% %%

Renee% Neades% 64110% MO% Please%let%people%start%over!%After%all,%in%

business%a%failure%is%often%seen%as%an%

opportunity%to%do%better.%Why%can't%we%

do%this%for%all?%

Bryna% Pizzo% 63128% MO% %%

Pastor%Josh% Privitt% 63135% MO% %%

Michael% Roach% 64068% MO% %%

David% Ross% 64133% MO% Even%you%had%a%second%chance.%Let's%do%

this!%

Juanita% Ruf% 63146% MO% Second%chance%is%fair%for%the%individual%

and%will%benefit%the%whole%society!%

Jeff% Stack% 65205% MO% %%

Jennifer% Stringer% 65807% MO% I%am%a%convicted%felon%so%I%know%

firsthand%the%negative%impact%a%few%

really%bad%choices%as%a%result%of%drug%

addiction%has%on%even%being%called%for%

an%interview.%The%person%I%am%today%

(almost%40%years%old)%is%no%comparison%

to%who%I%have%as%then.%This%would%be%an%

excellent%opportunity.%

Sherry% Surrey% 64050% MO% %%

Julie% Taylor% 63119% MO% %%

Paul% Turner% 64429% MO% I%have%worked%with%offenders.%Many%

want%to%do%better%

John% Van%Horn% 64111% MO% %%

Harold% Watson% 65802% MO% %%

Antoinette% Wilcox% 63011% MO% %%

Rosemarie% Woods% 64110% MO% %%

Paul% Zachow% 62226% MO% %%

Leah% Harris% 39702% MS% My%father%has%spent%21%yes%in%the%

penitentiary%for%drug%possession%

charges%and%now%he%has%completely%

turned%his%life%around%with%Christ.%He%

believes%in%second%chances%and%so%does%

the%God%he%serves.%Thank%you%for%

letting%Christ%lead%you.%

Patricia% Hawkins% 59865% MT% %%

Guenter% Heinz% 59917% MT% %%

Robert% Miller% 59105% MT% %%


%

64%

Mary%Ann% Stoffregen% 59016% MT% %%

Irene% Wulf% 59714% MT% %%

Charlene% Binley% 28470% NC% Mr.%President,%Please%give%hope%and%a%

2nd%chance%to%those%who%have%made%

mistakes%and%are%trying%to%improve%

themselves.%

Jimmy% Carr% 28226% NC% I%have%witnessed%lives%of%convicted%

felons%who%have%been%changed%by%the%

power%of%the%Holy%Spirit%&%desire%to%be%

productive%in%our%society%held%back%for%

far%too%long!%

REYNOLDS% CHAPMAN% 27705% NC% %%

G.W.% Cheney% 28607% NC% %%

brenda% Cogdell% 27410% NC% As%a%homeless%advocate%many%of%the%

people%I%meet%were%ex@offender,%who%

could%not%obtain%employment%and%for%

that%reason%were%not%able%to%be%self%

sufficient.%This%one%step%would%do%a%lot%

to%address%the%issue%of%homelessness%

Herbert%Reynolds% Davis% 27701% NC% %%

Emma% Greenbaum% 28801% NC% %%

Chas% Griffin% 27376% NC% %%

James% Kirkpatrick% 28105% NC% %%

Karen% Madrone% 27455% NC% %%

Joyce% Pusel% 27713% NC% %%

Earl% Rogers% 28518% NC% %%

angel% sellers% 27262% NC% I%have%noticed%the%injustice%mostly%

black%men%receive%if%they%don't%have%

the%financial%means%to%pay%for%certain%

attorneys%.%They%are%mistreated%in%

prison%as%far%as%getting%their%levels%&%

take%the%classes%but%companies%don't%

care%about%that%if%they%have%to%mark%

that%box%help%President%Obama%thank%

you%

Anthony% Smith% 28144% NC% %%

Art% Smoker% 28754% NC% %%

Latoya% Stancil% 27545% NC% This%matters%to%me%for%the%well%being%of%

my%family%as%a%whole.%And%take%a%heavy%

burden%off%my%shoulders...%

elaine% terrell% 27278% NC% %%

Glenn% Tetterton% 28401% NC% %%

Jim% Thomas% 27514% NC% %%


%

65%

Heather%E.% Drees% 58201% ND% %%

florence% minary% 69024% NE% %%

Jae% Swoboda% 68114% NE% %%

Grace% Burson% 03264% NH% %%

Kristin% Cahill% 03103% NH% %%

Jennifer% Kenny% 03104% NH% %%

Erline% Towner% 03055% NH% %%

Thomas% Woodward% 03063% NH% I%believe%in%second%chances%and%that%

people%thrive%when%given%the%

opportunity%to%be%accepted%by%others.%

Alice% Artzt% 08540% NJ% %%

Carolyn% Barrett% 08638% NJ% %%

steve% blank% 08221% NJ% %%

Catherine% Catherine% 08904% NJ% %%

Deborah% Celhar% 08057% NJ% Being%gainfully%employed%is%the%best%

way%to%combat%recidivism%in%our%

criminal%justice%system.%Allowing%a%

person%to%get%to%an%interview%and%

actually%present%themselves%would%give%

them%a%fair%chance%at%employment.%

Please%ban%the%box%on%federal%job%

applications.%

Richard% DeKoyer% 07630% NJ% %%

Joseph% DeSanctis% 07621% NJ% %%

Cheryl% Dzubak% 08620% NJ% %%

Margaret% Ell% 08753% NJ% %%

Susan% Falk% 08502% NJ% %%

Matthew% Franck% 08904% NJ% %%

Lisa% Glick% 07458% NJ% %%

Susan% Hanlon% 08759% NJ% %%

Ray% Howell,%II% 08021% NJ% %%

Harriet% Jernquist% 07041% NJ% %%

deb% johnson% 08057% NJ% %%

Karl% Koenig% 08105% NJ% %%

Greg% Litcofsky% 07039% NJ% %%

Anthony% Maista% 08108% NJ% %%

Carlos% Merced% 08104% NJ% %%

Kathy% Morse% 07740% NJ% %%

margo% pellegrino% 08055% NJ% %%

Michael% Schaeffer% 07006% NJ% %%


%

66%

Willie% Shy% 08046% NJ% I%feel%if%a%man%or%woman%have%served%

their%time%in%prison,%they%have%paid%

their%debt%to%society.%I%feel%they%should%

be%given%a%second%chance.%Jesus%said%he%

that%is%without%sin,%let%him%or%her%cast%

the%first%stone!%

Eugene% Squeo% 07305% NJ% Everyone%deserves%a%second%chance.%

Elliott% Tepperman% 07052% NJ% Elliott%Tepperman%

r% vanstrien% 07059% NJ% %%

Donald% White% 07960% NJ% Everyone%needs%a%way%to%make%a%living%

Allie% Whitefleet% 07080% NJ% %%

Alan% Arnold% 87110% NM% No%Ex@Offenders%class%should%exist%

Sheilah% barry% 87560% NM% %%

Holly% Beaumont% 87508% NM% We%passed%Ban%the%Box%here%in%New%

Mexico%years%ago.%We%believe%in%

Restorative%Justice%rather%than%

Retributive%Justice.%

Peggy% Borchardt% 87123% NM% %%

sarah% brownrigg% 87507% NM% %%

Joyce% Carlson@Leavitt% 87107% NM% %%

B.%Thomas% Diener% 87123% NM% %%

Karen% Halderson% 87110% NM% %%

michial% howard% 87901% NM% %%

Valerie% Hubbard% 87501% NM% %%

Nelda% Martinez% 88012% NM% Hello%please%reconsider%how%this%small%

Box%on%a%form%can%change%people's%

lives%for%the%better.%

Pepper% Marts% 87104% NM% %%

Paul% Milller% 88011% NM% %%

Bea% Pacheco% 88252% NM% I%have%been%to%prison%myself%and%it's%

been%5%yrs,%I%have%been%an%outstanding%

citizen%and%will%continue%to%do%so.%

Thank%you%in%advance%for%this%second%

chance%

Elisabeth% Price% 87110% NM% %%

Rhonda% Rain% 87105% NM% %%

Christopher% Ramirez% 87105% NM% %%

Rebecca% Reese% 87120% NM% %%

Roberta% Riley% 88061% NM% %%

Peter% Roche% 87507% NM% %%


%

67%

Robert% Salcido% 87106% NM% Its%important%that%all%people%are%given%

the%opportunity%to%earn%a%living%and%be%

given%a%place%in%our%communities.%

Quoting%Fr.%Greg%Boyle%of%Home%Boy%

Industries,%"%Nothing%stops%a%bullet%like%

a%job"%Give%every%one%the%chance%to%be%

a%part%of%this%country.%

Faye%M% Sandoval% 87107% NM% %%

Rosemary% Shuflat% 88101% NM% %%

Janis% Thompson% 88012% NM% %%

eric% trammel% 87002% NM% %%

aletta% wilson% 88047% NM% %%

Neal% Anderson% 89511% NV% Dear%Mr.%President,%This%is%another%way%

to%ensure%that%this%nation%affirms%and%

promotes%the%worth%and%dignity%of%

every%person.%

Patricia% Baley% 89121% NV% %%

Abdul% Barghouthi% 89506% NV% I%have%two%friends%who%have%been%out%

of%a%job%since%they%were%released%AFTER%

serving%their%term,%5%years%is%a%long%

time%to%be%without%work%and%it%takes%a%

lot%of%a%man%to%hang%on%to%his%GOOD%

character%when%he%is%hungry.%

Maureen% Fahlberg% 00008% NV% Ban%the%box.%

Pat% Fling% 89436% NV% Every%life%is%worth%a%second%chance.%

Derek% Gendvil% 89117% NV% %%

ingeborg% glier% 89084% NV% %%

Bach% Ha% 89014% NV% Everyone%makes%mistakes.%Do%not%

destroy%people's%lives%by%denying%them%

a%livelihood.%

Eula% hardy% 89048% NV% I%believe%we%sometimes%make%terrible%

decisions%some%get%caught%and%some%

folks%don't.%Some%might%have%been%very%

sorry%for%the%error.%Getting%caught%may%

transform%a%life%but%paying%the%rest%of%

your%life%is%a%no%chance%at%life%especially%

for%those%desiring%change.%Thanks%for%

consideration%

Brent% Hoy@Bianchi% 89501% NV% %%

Janet% Marriott% 89502% NV% Because%every%body%needs%the%chance%

to%work%

Stephen% mbithi% 89512% NV% %%

Linda% Smith% 89434% NV% %%

Marie% Adam@Ovide% 11422% NY% I%believe%that%everyone%should%be%able%

to%learn%from%their%mistakes.%


%

68%

Margaret% Alexander% 10451% NY% %%

K.% Arnone% 11204% NY% %%

Jane% Augustine% 10003% NY% It's%the%right%thing%to%do.%

Ellen% Beschler% 10022% NY% %%

Marc% Beschler% 10022% NY% %%

Charles% Blackstock% 11231% NY% Greetings%Mr.%president%I%have%once%in%

my%life%have%purpose%and%being%

formerly%incarcerated%never%made%it%a%

excuse%for%that%type%of%behavior%I%have%

owned%anything%I%have%done%and%

accepted%the%punishment.%Though%I%

have%paid%dearly%in%my%quest%for%a%

better%paying%job%to%take%better%care%of%

my%family%but%these%type%of%boxes%on%

job%applications%destroy%everything%I%

have%accomplished%and%all%I%dream%too%

also%.%Please%find%it%in%your%heart%to%

change%and%put%a%end%to%looking%to%the%

past%it%should%be%about%the%future%some%

are%being%judged%its%like%double%

standard%and%it%makes%it%that%much%

harder%to%make%a%better%life%being%a%

formerly%incarcerated%citizen.%

Alan% Brown% 10024% NY% %%

Yolanda% Brown% 10029% NY% Its%the%humane%thing%to%do.%Dignity%For%

All!!!%

Naquan% Bryant% 10027% NY% %%

Leslie% Cassidy% 10028% NY% %%

Shannon% Casterline% 14625% NY% %%

salvatore% cento% 11234% NY% %%

Russell% Chiappa% 12566% NY% %%

James%I.% Clark,%Jr.% 11433% NY% %%

Wendi% Cohen% 10562% NY% %%

Faith% Colligan% 11361% NY% As%humans%we%all%make%mistakes%but%

many%of%us%are%not%penalized%for%life%

because%of%them.%Meaningful%work%can%

be/is%a%positive%way%forward%for%all%of%

us;%let%us%all%have%this%opportunity.%

Thank%you%

Ana% Cruz% 11580% NY% %%


%

69%

Joseph%Gabriel% Cusimano% 14871% NY% Everyone%needs%a%second%chance.%No%

one%should%be%defined%forever%by%the%

worst%choice%they%ever%made.%Often,%it%

wasn't%even%much%of%a%choice.%

Rehabilitation%and%restoration%must%

replace%retribution%and%revenge.%

Please,%ban%the%box%

Pamela% DeGeyter% 12075% NY% %%

Roberta% Desalle% 10024% NY% %%

Brian% Ellis@Gibbs% 11428% NY% %%

Wendy% Fast% 14437% NY% %%

Leslie% Feliciano% 11691% NY% %%

karyn% fellion% 13662% NY% %%

Joel% Finley% 13669% NY% %%

Marilyn% Flynn% 11935% NY% %%

Arlene% Forwand% 11743% NY% %%

Neil% Freson% 14467% NY% %%

Lenore% Friedlaender% 11377% NY% %%

Douglas% Frye% 11232% NY% %%

Angel% Garcia% 10455% NY% %%

Marie% Garescher% 10591% NY% %%

judith% garson% 10019% NY% I%beg%you%to%take%action%on%something%

that%can%change%lives%permanently%for%

the%better!%

Donna% George% 13212% NY% %%

Richard% Gilbert% 14607@31% NY% %%

Dahlia% Goldenberg% 11238% NY% %%

matt% gordon% 10980% NY% %%

Kenneth% Graham% 11725% NY% %%

Lorraine% Grasso% 10590% NY% %%

Elizabeth% Guthrie% 14580% NY% %%

Jane% Halsey% 11226% NY% %%

Jolene% Halzen% 11206% NY% %%

Sarah% Hamilton% 13032% NY% %%

christine% hArvey% 10467% NY% %%

Mary%Ann% Harwell% 10980% NY% %%

Karen% Herbert% 10029% NY% If%God%can%give%me%a%second%chance%

who%are%we%to%say%that%we%shouldn't%

give%other%one.%That%one%time%you%give%

someone%a%second%chance%may%be%the%

one%chance%they%need.%


%

70%

Stephanie% Jacobs% 11355% NY% %%

Janice%Marie% Johnson% 11215% NY% It's%the%right%thing%to%do,%Mr.%President.%

Thank%you.%

Ernest% Jones% 11215% NY% %%

Theresa% Kardos% 10567% NY% Many%of%those%in%jail%are%there%for%non@

violent%offenses%and%deserve%the%

chance%to%re@enter%society%in%a%

productive%way.%Even%those%who%

committed%violent%crimes%may%have%

truly%turned%their%lives%around.%They%

already%have%so%many%strikes%against%

them,%so%many%obstacles,%that%in%a%

society%where%jobs%are%already%hard%to%

come%by,%a%conviction%record%will%make%

it%almost%impossible%to%secure%

employment.%

Joan% Klimski,%OP% 11427% NY% %%

Alan%Timothy% Lunceford% 10014% NY% Give%former%Inmates%a%Second%Chance%

at%American%Life?%Our%prisons%are%too%

full%for%small%criminals%that%could%be%

reformed%and%become%lively%Americans%

contributing%to%Society.%

Ramon% Marrero% 13501% NY% This%is%important%to%me%because%I%need%

to%have%a%job%so%I%can%help%raise%my%

children.%I%made%bad%choices%and%have%

paid%those%choices.%I%am%one%semester%

from%receiving%my%Associates%degree.%

My%past%should%be%that%my%past.%By%

having%the%opportunity%to%acquire%a%

good%job%I%also%half%boost%the%economy%

pay%taxes,%purchase%things%and%give%

children%and%myself%a%better%quality%

life.%Please%President%Obama%change%

this%law.%Me%and%I'm%sure%many%ex@

felons%that%are%out%here%looking%for%

better%jobs%but%are%being%turned%away,%

most%of%the%time%not%even%getting%

interviewed%for%jobs%thank%you%and%

appreciate%it.%

Fleynce% Mason% 11590% NY% %%

Sandra% Mattson% 14420% NY% %%

Shirley% McCray% 13905% NY% %%

Carol% McLoughlin% 11357% NY% %%

Mary% Mizzi% 11373% NY% %%

Delroy% Murdock% 11203% NY% %%

Michael% Murphy% 10541% NY% %%


%

71%

Laura% Neiman% 10034% NY% %%

Katha% Pollitt% 10024% NY% %%

david% prystal% 12404% NY% %%

ROBERT% RANKINS% 11422% NY% %%

Sumana% Raychaudhuri% 10025% NY% %%

Jo% Rhee% 07650% NY% %%

Ron% rodrigo% 12432% NY% %%

Pedro% Rodriguez% 11634% NY% %%

Michael% Roman% 14850% NY% %%

Aline% Russell% 12170% NY% As%a%Christian,%I%believe%change%is%

possible.%Also,%just%pragmatically,%it%

seems%like%people%are%most%likely%to%

commit%crimes%if,%after%serving%time%for%

a%crime,%they%are%unable%to%secure%a%

good%job%and%a%decent%place%to%live.%

Elizabeth% Saenger% 10543% NY% %%

Elizabeth% Salmon% 10545% NY% This%matters%because%IT%IS%THE%RIGHT%

THING%TO%DO%@%in%a%still%"free%

SOCIETY"!!%We%believe%we%keep%it%FREE%

by%such%JUST%ACTIONS%@%CONTINUALLY%

TAKEN!!%THANK@YOU,%Mr.%President!%

THANK@YOU%for%making%this%SO!!%

Gina% Santonas% 11222% NY% Everyone%deserves%a%second%chance.%

Susan% Savion% 13224% NY% %%

Edmonia% Scott% 11691% NY% Everybody%deserves%a%second%chance%

.Who%are%we%to%judge%only%God%can%

judge%them.%Once%baptized%you%are%a%

new%person.%We%all%some%skeletons%in%

our%closet%

Ryan% Senser% 11238% NY% %%

Bob% Shearn% 41220% NY% %%

George% Sidoti% 11731% NY% %%

Jon% Singleton% 10118% NY% %%

Amanda% Smock% 11216% NY% %%

Alex% Stavis% 10128% NY% %%

Sandra% Stratton@

Gonzalez%

11209% NY% %%

Christian% Sweningsen% 12173% NY% This%is%important%

Kady% Sylla% 11203% NY% %%


%

72%

Althea% Taylor% 10603% NY% President%Obama,%Second%chances%

should%be%filled%with%the%hope%of%a%

brighter%future%that%comes%from%

beginning%again.%The%fear%of%being%

judged%by%past%mistakes%leads%to%

despair%and%hopelessness.%It's%time%to%

encourage%those%who%want%to%begin%

again.%Please%ban%the%box!%

Margaret% Teahan% 10976% NY% We%all%make%mistakes%and%deserve%to%

be%forgiven%when%we%truly%repent%of%

our%actions%

Lawrence% Tetenbaum% 11803% NY% %%

Phyllis% Tierney% 14620% NY% %%

amy% trent% 12498% NY% %%

Alexandra% Tumarkin% 10605% NY% %%

Darryl% Warner% 11693% NY% EVERYONE%DESERVES%A%SECOND%

CHANCE%AT%LIFE.%

Roxanne% Warren% 10025% NY% %%

Chris% Washington% 10019% NY% %%

Simkha%Y.% Weintraub% 11231% NY% Created%in%the%image%of%God,%every%

human%being%deserves%an%appropriate%

opportunity%to%return%and%reform,%to%

renew%and%restart.%

Jon% Wool% 12197% NY% %%

Karen% Ballard% 443310% OH% %%

KATHLEEN% BOYD% 45786% OH% %%

John% Brewer% 45750% OH% %%

Maura% Carpinello% 45213% OH% %%

Yvonne% Carter% 44022% OH% %%

Dennis% Chriszt% 45237% OH% %%

Trill% Cole% 44320% OH% All%have%sinned%and%come%short%of%

God's%glory.%Select%individuals%should%

not%pay%man's%price%forever.%All%r%guilty%

of%something%

Jane% Craker% 44240% OH% %%


%

73%

Carlissa% Cunningham% 44128% OH% Dear%Mr.%President,%please%ban%the%box.%

I%have%a%felony%on%my%record%from%22%

years%ago.%No%matter%how%I%plea%my%

case%or%even%let%them%no%my%record%is%

expunged%they%still%hold%it%against%me.%I%

messed%up%when%I%was%19%years%old.%I'm%

42%years%old%and%still%paying%for%my%

crime.%I%have%not%been%in%any%trouble%

since%then.%The%only%troubles%I%have%is%

getting%a%good%paying%job%that%doesn't%

mind%giving%second%chances.%I%love%the%

health%care%industry%but%due%to%my%

drug%conviction%they%won't%consider%

me.%Please%change%this%sir.%Thank%you%

Coleen% Curry% 44307% OH% Because%I%work%with%many%young%men%

in%ministry%who%made%mistakes%at%18,%

which%still%haunt%them%at%28.%

Reverend%Sharon% Dittmar% 45219% OH% Mr.%President%I%work%in%the%inner%city%

and%the%local%residents%are%blighted%by%

over%incarceration%as%are%their%families%

and%communities.%They%can't%find%

employment%very%easily%and%it%harms%

all%of%us.%Thank%you%for%your%time%

Gerould% Douce% 44485% OH% %%

John% Fetters% 43205% OH% This%is%the%right%thing%to%do%and%now%is%

the%right%time%to%do%it!%

Alicia% Graves% 44137% OH% %%

felita% harper% 04523% OH% I'm%the%one%that%box%affects%its%difficult%

for%me%to%provide%for%my%family%

Sharon% Havelak% 43623% OH% Sometimes%giving%a%person%a%second%

chance,%just%believing%that%they%can%

make%it,%is%all%that's%needed%for%their%

success.%

Leandra% Hawkins% 44120% OH% %%

carren% herring% 45213% OH% Yes,%We%are%all%human%and%make%

mistakes,%but%we%can%change.%

jason% hoobler% 45218% OH% %%

mary% hough% 44111% OH% %%


%

74%

Caitlin% Hummel% 43068% OH% This%matters%to%me%because%when%I%was%

19%years%old%I%was%an%drug%addict%and%

made%a%wrong%choice%I'm%not%a%bad%

person%and%that's%the%only%time%my%

whole%life%I've%gotten%in%trouble%with%

the%law.%Currently%in%23%in%college%to%be%

an%addiction%counselor%sober%have%an%

fiancé%and%have%totally%turned%my%life%

around,%but%the%thing%is%I%can%not%get%a%

job%because%everyone%judges%me%from%

one%mistake%when%I%was%younger.%If%

jobs%could%not%see%if%I'm%an%felon%would%

be%such%an%amazing%opportunity%not%

just%for%me%but%everyone%else%that%has%

trouble%getting%a%job%because%of%a%

mistake.%That's%what%life%is%about%

making%mistakes%so%we%learn%from%

them%no%one%is%perfect.%Please%put%this%

into%consideration.%

Ricki% Iannitti% 45013% OH% %%

Tracy% Johnson% 45242% OH% %%

Kim% Kensler@Prager% 43623% OH% Many%of%our%returning%citizens%are%good%

decent%people.%They%have%the%right%to%

apply%for%job%on%their%own%merit.%It's%

time%to%ban%the%box.%

Tom% Kisor% 43230% OH% %%

Andrea% Koverman% 45202% OH% %%

Mike% Krouse% 44107% OH% %%

Carl% Langenderfer% 45223% OH% Everyone%deserves%a%second%chance.%

Jesus%came%for%sinners,%not%the%self@

righteous,%and%Pope%Francis%

recommends%mercy%for%all.%Please%give%

these%men%and%women%a%second%

chance%by%eliminating%the%"box."%

Angela% Lewis% 45224% OH% Mr.%President%there%are%so%many%of%us%

that%have%made%mistakes,%I%am%57%yrs.%

old%with%a%theft%from,%30%yrs.%ago%it%still%

prevent%myself%from%moving%forward%

on%some%jobs.%Please%help%us.%Everyone%

deserves%a%second%chance%

Nicole% Maschke% 44102% OH% %%

James%A.% Maye% 44121% OH% Our%families%suffer%greatly%when%the%

family%member%has%been%released%from%

incarceration%and%is%denied%

employment%because%of%his/her%record.%

Jerome% McCorry% 45402% OH% %%

Ann%C.% McGill% 44212% OH% %%


%

75%

Don% McKelvey% 44123% OH% %%

Pat% Melton% 44120% OH% When%a%person%applies%for%employment%

the%decision%to%hire%or%not%to%hire%

should%be%predicated%on%the%

individual’s%qualifications%as%it%relates%

to%the%position%applied%for.%To%often%

individuals%who%may%meet%the%

qualification%to%fulfill%a%position%are%not%

given%the%opportunity%to%interview%

because%they%are%prejudged%based%on%

their%acknowledgment%of%having%plead%

guilty%to%or%been%convicted%of%a%criminal%

offence.%The%federal%box%should%be%

banned%Mr.%President.%Please%consider%

supporting,%no,%spear%heading%

legislation%that%would%give%hundreds%of%

thousands%of%people%a%second%chance%

to%be%responsible,%productive,%

economically%self@sufficient%American%

Citizens.%

Timothy% Mieyal% 44134% OH% %%

Ed% Moritz% 44119% OH% %%

Tammy% Morrison% 45224% OH% Dear%President%Obama%I%agree%with%

those%who%have%joined%in%solidarity%in%

asking%you%to%"ban%the%box"%that%are%

imprinted%on%job%applications.%I,%like%

others,%believe%that%everyone%should%

have%a%second%chance,%especially,%after%

they%have%done%the%time%that%was%given%

to%them,%judicially.%Some%of%them%did%

not%do%the%crime%that%was%charged%nor%

should%they%have%been%given%the%time%

allotted.%Many%of%us%need%a%new%

beginning%at%some%time%or%another...I%

have%needed%it%myself.%Life%happens.%

Before%you%leave%the%office%of%the%

Presidency%of%the%USA%I%asked%that%you%

would%give%some%real%attention%to%this%

matter.%Thank%you,%sir.%Tammy%

Morrison%

Diane% Newberry% 43214% OH% If%you%have%paid%for%mistakes,%you%

should%give%a%person%a%chance.%


%

76%

Marilyn% Nickol% 44116% OH% In%Cleveland,%Ohio%we%are%so%proud%of%

EDWINS%a%wonderful%restaurant%and%

non@profit%whose%mission%is%to%give%

convicted%felons%a%chance%for%a%

successful%re@entry%to%life%outside%

prison.%EDWINS%is%proof%that%second%

chances%can%enrich%individual%lives%and%

renew%a%city!%

Doreen% Papajcik% 44126% OH% Give%a%second%chance%

Mary%Jo% Petersman% 45255% OH% %%

Sherrie% Rozniecki% 43015% OH% %%

Michelle% Savage% 45240% OH% It%matters%to%me%because,%it%allows%

people%to%get%the%same%opportunities%

to%better%their%lives%and%pay%taxes%as%a%

citizen%of%the%United%States.%It%would%

crack%down%on%repeat%offenders%and%

better%their%living%conditions.%Please%

reconsider%Mr.%President!%Thank%you.%

Adam% Savett% 44139% OH% %%

Barbara%Sue% Scholl% 43130% OH% %%

diane% self% 44646% OH% %%

Rev%Dr%Susan%K% Smith% 43230% OH% Recidivism%will%never%decrease%as%long%

as%felons%are%not%allowed%to%move%past%

their%pasts.%Banning%the%box%is%an%

important%first%step%in%re@integrating%

people%who%have%made%mistakes%back%

into%society.%We%need%them.%

mark% sperry% 45005% OH% A%person%should%not%to%be%punished%for%

life.%Once%you%do%your%time%that%should%

it.%

Jessica% Starkey% 45213% OH% %%

Brenda% Thompson% 44320% OH% At%the%end%of%the%day%everyone%need%

shelter%and%food%and%in%order%to%do%so%

employment%is%needed.%

Paul% Voytas% 45504% OH% %%

Lauren% Wade% 45638% OH% %%

Virginia% Wasserman% 43338% OH% %%

DONNA% WEBB% 44303% OH% %%

Cheryl% Weinstein% 44122% OH% %%

Sybil% West% 44505% OH% %%

Judy% White% 43202% OH% %%

Lisa% Witham% 44060% OH% It's%a%matter%of%Human%Rights.%Also%if%

people%can%get%a%job%they%will%be%less%

likely%to%re%offend!%Most%people%would%

rather%have%a%job%and%earn%the%money.%


%

77%

Lana% Henson% 73106% OK% %%

Mercedes% Lackey% 74017% OK% %%

Ed% Parks% 73505% OK% E%Pluribus,%Unum.%

Rita% Snellgrove% 74112% OK% %%

Helen% Taylor% 73134% OK% We%do%individuals%a%disservice%when%we%

make%it%impossible%or%difficult%for%them%

to%work.%That%hurts%society,%too.%Let's%

give%folks%this%second%chance!%Helen%

Taylor%

Eusebio%Manuel%Vestias%

pecurto%

vestias% 71501% OK% %%

Brenda% wofford% 74112% OK% %%

Heather% Steeves% M6H%4A1% ON% %%

Hal% Anthony% 97526% OR% Considering%the%amount%of%murder%by%

the%US%Obama%administration,%is%

excluding%job%seekers%with%records%

from%federal%employment%fair?%Add%to%

that,%the%100X%less%affect%of%cannabis%

vs.%drunks;%plus%racial%profiling!!!%

Really?!?!!!%%

Judy% Barker% 97741% OR% Black%lives%matter!%

Marie% Bat'el% 97535% OR% %%

Becky% Bell@Greenstreet% 97459% OR% Prisoners%who%have%served%their%time%

for%a%single%conviction,%should%be%given%

a%second%chance.%

Gary% Dorris% 97391% OR% %%

Roy% Gathercoal% 97132% OR% %%

Emily% Hill% 97702% OR% %%

Lindsay% Hope%Kern% 97213% OR% %%

Serena% Johnston% 97045% OR% %%

Sandra% Joos% 97239% OR% %%

Brendan% Lee% 97209% OR% %%

Jan% MacWilliams% 97213% OR% %%

Lynn% Mystic@healer% 97459% OR% We%need%Community%service%jobs%bill%

(that%unites%all%races,%religions%and%

community%groups)%that%pays%everyone%

a%basic%guaranteed%income%monthly%

income%of%$2,600.00/month%with%single%

payer;%so%that,%we%can%co@create%the%

Golden%Age%of%Gaia%together.%

Brendan% Pearse% 97124% OR% %%

Neilia% Pierson% 97523% OR% %%


%

78%

janna% piper% 97293% OR% %%

William% Rizer% 97111% OR% %%

Stuart%R.% Shaw% 97304% OR% %%

Yvette% sheble% 97219% OR% If%prisons%are%truly%a%place%of%

rehabilitation%then%we%shouldn't%force%

ticking%the%box.%I%take%exception%

however%to%predatory%crimes%such%as%

pedophilia.%

Debi% Stromberg% 97086% OR% %%

Bob% Thomas% 97457% OR% %%

Tiffany% Thompson% 97215% OR% This%is%not%an%extreme%move%by%any%

means.%Many%states%and%local%

governments%have%already%made%this%

move%@%the%federal%government%would%

simply%be%following%suit.%Senator%

Merkely%is%already%supportive%of%this%

effort.%With%many%changes%to%the%

criminal%justice%system%happening%now%

and%many%non@violent%offenders%being%

released%@%we%need%to%ensure%they%have%

a%Fair%Shot%at%re@integrating%into%

society.%Something%that%is%IMPOSSIBLE%

without%gainful%employment.%

A.% Todd% 97404% OR% %%

Natalie% Van%Leekwijck% 97005% OR% %%

Leisha% Wharfield% 97401% OR% When%discrimination%against%ex@cons%is%

allowed,%every%sentence%is%a%life%

sentence.%Ban%the%box!%

Rax% Green% KT228RF% ot% %%

Catherine% O'Neill% B75QS% ot% Everyone%makes%mistakes%and%deserve%

a%second%chance.%

Ehtisham% Rana% 54792% ot% %%

Benjamin% Baker% 19139% PA% %%

Gerritt%and%Elizabeth% Baker@Smith% 18301% PA% %%

Frank% Bernt%(See%E%

Duffey)%

19126% PA% Got%hope?%Please,%President%Obama,%

GIVE%hope%to%this%group%of%individuals.%

In%many%cases,%they%have%a%great%deal%

to%offer%to%their%communities@@if%given%

the%opportunity.%To%not%do%so%is%to%

make%things%much%less%hopeful...%


%

79%

Bryant% Brown% 18015% PA% Dear%Mr.%President:%The%faith%

community%I%serve%wonders%why%our%

country%has%the%highest%percentage%of%

its%people%in%prison.%With%5%%of%the%

planet's%population,%we%have%25%%of%its%

prisoners.%Unless%we%are%the%most%

lawless%people%on%the%planet,%that%

makes%no%sense.%And%then%to%keep%

prisoners%who%have%served%their%

sentences%from%jobs,%school,%housing%is%

to%discriminate%against%so%many%who%

could%be%fully%productive%citizens.%It%is%a%

matter%of%justice.%And%good%sense.%Rev.%

Bryant%Brown%

Jamie% Burks% 19038% PA% %%

Amanda% C% 15301% PA% %%

John% Comella% 19103% PA% People%who%have%served%their%term%for%

a%non@violent%crime%should%be%allowed%

a%second%chance.%Remove%the%ban%on%

their%being%hired%now.%

Clare% Conforti% 19014% PA% WE%believe%in%second%chances%

John% Cooper% 17837% PA% Even%Christ%believed%in%second%chances.%

How%can%that%be%wrong?%

Bernadette% Cronin@Geller% 19128% PA% %%

Jo% Cuffari% 19145% PA% %%

Helen% Cunningham% 19106% PA% %%

Greg% Daley% 19508% PA% %%

Elisabet% Doolan% 19106% PA% %%

Barbara% Drake% 19083% PA% %%

Kimberly% Edmunds% 19146% PA% People%deserve%the%opportunity%to%re@

engage%in%the%workforce%so%that%they%

can%sustain%themselves%and%their%

families.%

Mary% Fineran% 19031% PA% Everyone%deserves%a%second%chance!%

Brian% Fink% 19130% PA% %%

Silvio% Fittipaldi% 19114% PA% %%

R% Giovanniello% 19104% PA% %%

Robert% Girvan% 16254% PA% I%am%not%perfect%either.%We%are%all%

children%of%a%higher%power,%however%

defined.%

Karen% Green% 19038% PA% %%

Marta% Guttenberg% 19103% PA% %%

Maureen% Hanley% 15017% PA% %%

christian% hartleben% 19128% PA% %%


%

80%

mary% hartley% 15221% PA% %%

Lorie% Hershey% 19143% PA% %%

Raymond% Hill% 19143% PA% %%

Robert%and%Donna% Janusko% 18018% PA% %%

Dianne% Kareha% 18104% PA% %%

Kimberly% Kelly% 15214% PA% I%think%this%letter%matters%for%the%simple%

fact%that%to%many%young%people%are%

becoming%felons%based%on%lies%and%

corruption.%I%don't%think%that%taking%

away%your%right%to%vote,%not%being%

allowed%to%get%life%insurance%or%taking%

your%driving%privilege%showed%be%a%

punishment%because%your%a%felon.%I%

think%these%are%some%of%the%things%you%

need%to%be%telling%a%felon%they%better%

maintain%if%anything!!%It's%time%we%start%

working%on%prevention%from%becoming%

a%felon%

Michele% Klingensmith% 15085% PA% %%

John% Kotarski% 18944% PA% %%

Jude% Laure@Denis% 18102% PA% %%

Sister%Dominica% Lo%Bianco% 19014% PA% %%

Angela% Long% 19144% PA% Reintegration%is%imperative%to%a%new%

beginning.%Removing%this%question%is%a%

great%start%to%a%more%positive%life%for%

those%returning%to%the%community%

Susan% MacBride% 19128% PA% We%need%the%federal%government%to%se%

this%example.%His%should%be%part%of%

reforming%the%criminal%justice%system.%

It%should%also%not%be%on%applications%to%

public%housing!!%

Junette% Marcana% 19141% PA% %%

Dave% mattozzi% 15217% PA% %%

Cayla% McNally% 18018% PA% %%

Nancy% Megley% 19147% PA% %%

Lou%Ann% Merkle% 19462% PA% Even%before%reading%Michelle%

Alexander's%book:%The%New%Jim%Crow,%

Mass%Incarceration%in%the%Age%of%

Colorblindness,%I%knew%we%needed%

change%for%the%staggering%number%of%

people%caught%up%in%the%criminal%justice%

system.%After%reading%her%book,%I%

understood%the%urgency.%I%know%you%

visited%a%detention%facility%and%said%


%

81%

something%to%the%effect:%There%but%the%

grace%of%God%@%go%I."%You%get%it.%So%

please%@%as%your%presidency%comes%to%a%

close,%BAN%THE%BOX%as%part%of%your%

legacy.%Lives%will%improve,%families%will%

have%a%chance%to%knit%back%together%

and%communities%will%be%strengthened.%

Kimberly% Merrell% 15217% PA% %%

Tam% Nguyen% 19125% PA% Everyone%should%have%a%right%to%earn%

living.%Everyone%should%have%

opportunity%to%get%a%government%job/%

non@government%job...We%seems%work%

very%hard%to%earn%living%but%there%is%still%

unfair%to%get%what%we%dedicated%to...%

Linda% Noonan% 19118% PA% I%am%a%pastor.%I%have%seen%lives%change%

and%yet%people%have%been%shut%out%of%

opportunity%because%of%past%mistakes,%

for%which%they%have%served%their%time%

and%made%personal%changes.%Please%

ban%the%box.%

OSF% Nora%Nash% 19014% PA% %%

Susan% Plubell% 16830% PA% %%

Linda% Potemken% 19096% PA% %%

Kay% Reinfried% 17543% PA% %%

Janel% Rice% 18036% PA% %%

Marjorie% Roman% 18944% PA% %%

Stephen% Rosen% 18974% PA% %%

Carol% Rowehl% 19119% PA% %%

Dwayne% Royster% 19401% PA% %%

Sr.%Jean% Rupertus% 19037% PA% %%

Deborah% Schultz% 19103% PA% We%all%know%how%a%job%can%increase%our%

confidence%in%ourselves,%give%us%a%

challenge%and%purpose%to%wake%up%to%

each%morning%and%allow%us%to%use%our%

time%in%a%productive%manner.%Let's%

provide%this%same%opportunity%to%those%

who%are%challenged%with%reentering%

society.%Thanks%for%listening!%

Kimberly% Seger% 16201% PA% %%


%

82%

Latasha% Shaw% 19150% PA% Sometimes%people%just%need%people%to%

give%them%a%chance%n%believe%in%them,%

they%r%regular%human%beings%like%you%n%

me,%they%have%family%n%love%ones%to%

take%care%of%and%feed%and%if%you%Mr.%

president%honor%this%potion%n%let%our%

love%ones%come%out%n%have%another%and%

better%choices%of%employment%and%a%

way%to%make%sure%their%children%eat,%

DANIELLE% SKIENDZIELEWSKI% 19111% PA% %%

Pat% Smiley% 19124% PA% We%know%many%are%in%prison%who%are%

innocent%@%we%may%never%the%full%

number.%Given%that%and%given%that%we%

believe%all%people%should%have%a%second%

chance%(and%we've%needed%one%

ourselves),%please%ban%the%box%on%

federal%job%applications%now.%

Nancy% Soister% 17961% PA% %%

Helen% Syen% 19152% PA% %%

Rachel% Ternes% 19133% PA% %%

Allen% Terrill% 16652% PA% %%

Linda% Theophilus% 15235% PA% %%

Ray% Torres% 19119% PA% %%

Erin% Umland% 19142% PA% %%

Neil% Ver'Schneider% 19121% PA% Our%correctional%system%needs%to%focus%

on%rehabilitation.%This%is%usually%not%the%

focus%in%prison%but%if%when%they%leave%

prison%there%are%no%jobs%then%the%

situation%is%even%worse%for%those%trying%

to%become%productive%citizens.%

Removing%the%"box'%would%certainly%be%

the%right%first%step.%

tina% washington% 19082% PA% It%matters%to%me%because%I%have%a%son%

who%has%a%son%and%it's%very%frustrating%

to%him%when%it%comes%to%checking%the%

box%for%having%a%criminal%record%do%to%

something%he%did%when%he%was%young.%

He%deserves%a%chance%to%make%a%life%for%

his%son%and%himself.%It%would%be%greatly%

appreciated%if%you%can%change%this%law%

for%so%many%people.%Tina%Washington%!!%

Rhonda% White% 19111% PA% %%

Kevin% Williams% 19001% PA% %%

JOHN% YOST% 17845% PA% %%


%

83%

joanne% armenia% 02840% RI% When%the%box%has%to%be%checked%on%a%

job%application%the%person%checking%the%

box%does%not%get%an%interview.%

Janet% Handford% 02893% RI% %%

Rick% Kremer% 02864% RI% %%

Liliana% Sampedro% 02912% RI% %%

Lonnie% Albrecht% 33538% SC% %%

Deborah%B% Anderson% 29209% SC% We%believe%in%a%God%of%second%chances.%

Chiquetta% Dawkins% 29607% SC% I%am%a%25%year%old%female%I%was%locked%

up%when%I%was%21%years%old%right%before%

I%was%suppose%to%start%my%3rd%year%in%

college.%After%serving%1%year%in%

Greenville%county%detention%center%my%

lawyer%convinced%me%to%sign%a%plea%

deal%because%that%was%the%only%way%I%

could%go%home.%At%the%time%I%just%

wanted%to%go%home%and%for%everything%

to%be%over%with.%I%didn't%know%that%

taking%the%rest%of%my%life%would%be%hell%

because%of%this.%Since%I've%come%home%

I've%had%to%start%all%the%way%over%but%I%

can't%get%a%decent%job.%I%can't%get%an%

apartment%in%my%name.%When%you%have%

felonies%your%life%is%over%and%it%is%almost%

impossible%to%live%in%the%real%world%

because%no%one%wants%to%give%you%a%

second%chance.%

tyreonta% drayton% 29627% SC% %%

Randy% Scoggins% 29646% SC% %%

Tommye% Szafarz% 77459% Texas% %%

Arshad% Ameen% 38125% TN% %%

Joey% Barnett% 37215% TN% Give%our%brothers%and%sisters%a%chance%

to%contribute.%

Michelle% Blair% 37208% TN% %%

Nicole% Brents% 37398% TN% Please!%!!!!%This%box%is%so%unfair%for%us%

that%have%rehabilitated%and%could%

greatly%contribute%to%society,%but%are%

never%considered%because%of%this%box!!%


%

84%

Harriet% Callier%MSCM% 37208% TN% It%is%a%huge%first%start%in%changing%the%

ALEC@based%mindset%of%many%

employers.%The%benefits%of%discussing%

the%matter%at%this%point%in%the%

application%process%pale%by%comparison%

to%the%benefits%of%'possibilities'%to%

applicants%applying%for%work.%Removing%

the%box%will%not%benefit%every%applicant%

but%a%significant%number%of%applicants%

will%have%an%opportunity%to%be%

interviewed%as%a%qualified%citizen%

instead%of%as%a%qualified%felon.%This%is%

one%of%many%times%that%labels%matter.%

Cheryl% Dare% 38104% TN% %%

amanda% frazier% 37912% TN% %%

edgar% gehlert% 37857% TN% %%

Louise% Gorenflo% 37912% TN% When%so%many%of%young%black%men%

have%prison%records,%they%denied%a%

future%in%their%community%upon%serving%

their%prison%term.%This%is%simply%unfair.%

Lisa% Holmes% 37312% TN% %%

Jil% lewis% 37891% TN% By%giving%them%the%label%"FELON",%you%

continue%to%take%away%all%their%rights%

and%abilities%to%become%productive%

Humans.%They%are%forced%to%exist%

anyway%they%can%to%provide%for%their%

families%and%selves.%Take%your%"label"%

away!!%

Rod% Martin% 37406% TN% %%


%

85%

SHAY% MARTIN% 37128% TN% My%husband%is%a%felon.%He%got%out%of%jail%

and%changed%his%life%around.%He%got%out%

and%we%got%married,%he%got%baptized%

and%has%been%a%great%father%to%our%

three%children.%When%he%got%released%

he%immediately%went%on%the%hunt%to%

find%a%job%and%it%seemed%hopeless,%

made%him%feel%less%than%a%man%because%

he%couldn't%support%his%family.%Lucking%i%

made%enough%to%keep%us%above%water.%

He%finally%got%hired%at%a%fast%food%

restaurant%making%minimum%wage,%

then%with%a%lot%of%prayer%he%applied%for%

a%factory%job%and%he%was%blessed%with%

it.%Now%today%because%someone%

believed%in%him,%he%is%now%the%

supervisor%at%his%job.%He%hasn't%been%in%

any%trouble%accept%for,%I%think,%one%

speeding%ticket.%My%husband%was%lucky%

but%mostly%blessed%by%the%grace%of%God%

to%had%received%the%blessings%that%he%

received.%There%are%so%many%more%

people%out%there,%good%people,%who%

have%made%mistakes%before%but%have%

learned%from%them.%How%long%do%they%

have%to%suffer,%they%did%their%time,%now%

they%should%be%given%the%opportunities%

that%non%felons%have.%They%get%out,%

most%have%kids,%and%can't%find%a%decent%

job%then%end%up%doing%something%to%get%

them%right%back%where%they're%at.%

Everyone%deserves%a%second%chance.%

James% McBee% 37129% TN% This%matters%to%me,%because%very%few%

blacks%are%given%second%chances.%We%

are%almost%always%killed%by%whites%in%a%

police%uniform.%

Lawrence% Montford% 37341% TN% %%

Susan% Montgomery% 37922% TN% %%

Tom% Negri% 37221% TN% With%reasoned%differed%liability.%

Wil% Steinbacher% 37115% TN% Our%prison%system@during%and%after@%is%

broken.%Talked%with%a%man%in%for%25%

years%and%will%get%in%two%weeks.%

Nothing%in%there%prepared%him%to%get%

out.%He%needs%a%job,%but%who%will%hire%a%

felon.%Drop%the%box!%[chaplain%to%a%

prison]%

Tina% Tine'% 37919% TN% %%


%

86%

Bobbie% Turner% 38356% TN% If%they%have%served%there%time%for%there%

crime.%There%is%no%need%to%check%the%

box%on%a%application.%

Paul% Turner% 37664% TN% %%

Kevin% Vaught% 37013% TN% %%

ted% Welsh% 37115% TN% Everyone%deserves%a%second%chance.%

Colleen% Wright% 37411% TN% I%am%also%a%convicted%felon%and%can%not%

find%work%to%support%myself%yet%alone%

my%two%children%due%to%my%past%bad%

decisions%which%I%have%grown%from%

tremendously.%It%would%be%great%not%to%

have%that%dreadful%box%on%any%

application%for%employment.%I've%paid%

my%debt%to%society%and%years%later%still%

being%punished%and%have%to%depend%on%

the%government%just%to%feed%myself%and%

children.%My%story%is%much%more%than%

that,%but%employment%alone%would%be%a%

great%start%for%past%offenders.%Thank%

you%for%your%time.%

Anne% Batalsky% 75214% TX% %%

David% Bigwood% 77573% TX% %%

Theresa% Billeaud% 78207% TX% Everybody%deserves%another%chance!%

Gary% Binderim% 77339% TX% %%

Jeffrey% Binnig% 75126% TX% %%

Mikael% Broadway% 76571% TX% %%

Bruce% Burns% 78753% TX% %%

Rae% Calvert% 77584% TX% People%who%have%jobs%don't%tend%to%go%

back%to%crime!%Everybody%needs%a%

second%chance.%

Lindy% Cavness% 75228% TX% %%

Patrick% Covington% 77995% TX% I%am%a%100%%Service%Connected%

Disabled%veteran%of%two%wars....AND%a%

convicted%felon%(Nonviolent%offence,%

10+%years%ago,%in%Texas).%All%of%my%life%I%

have%been%denied%opportunities%that%I,%

myself,%sacrificed%to%earn%for%others.%

Rose%M% Davison% 78239% TX% everyone%deserves%a%2nd%chance.%

Please%ban%the%box.%


%

87%

Kandi% Deshotel% 77584% TX% So%man%people%are%denied%

opportunities%before%they%are%even%

allowed%the%opportunity%of%chance.%

Imagine%a%17yr%old%serving%a%20%year%

sentence.%Getting%out%getting%a%college%

education%and%not%having%the%

opportunity%to%succeed%because%of%a%

mistake%made%20%yrs.%ago.%Everyone%

deserves%a%second%chance.%

Jeannie% George% 76201% TX% When%people%have%completed%their%

debt%to%society,%they%should%be%given%

dignity%and%their%full%rights.%Life%liberty%

and%the%pursuit%of%happiness.%

Thomas%A..% Guaraldi% 77071% TX% %%

Jessica% Hightower% 77205% TX% Most%of%the%clients%that%I%work%with%

have%a%felony%and%are%trying%to%become%

independent%in%the%community.%Most%

jobs%do%a%background%check%and%my%

clients%are%not%able%to%secure%

employment.%They%are%trying%hard%to%

become%independent%and%it%is%difficult%

for%them%to%do%so%without%employment%

Marie% Huffman% 75181% TX% %%

Clif% Jordan% 75070% TX% ...but%there%by%the%grace%of%God%go%I...%

James% Klein% 78411% TX% %%

Wayne% Langley% 75050% TX% %%

Odilia% Leal@McBride% 75901% TX% %%

James% Loiaconoi% 78852% TX% Before%the%joint%session%of%Congress,%

Pope%Francis%said%we%must%always%

believe%in%and%hope%for%true%change%of%

heart%and%rehabilitation.%If%that%be%the%

case,%we%would%be%compelled%to%ban%

the%box%that%is%a%self@incrimination%and%

an%almost%automatic%exclusion%for%a%

meaningful%future.%Does%that%make%

sense%to%imposer%on%someone%

something%we%would%dread%for%

ourselves%or%our%loved%ones?%

Nancy% Lowe% 78653% TX% %%

Kathryn% Melton% 77536% TX% %%

Barbara% molette% 75203% TX% I'm%32%I%have%an%associates%degree%in%

business.%Yet%the%only%job%I%seem%to%be%

able%to%get%is%at%McDonald's.%I%obtained%

a%felony%at%the%age%of%17%and%I%still%can't%

put%my%past%behind%me%and%prepare%a%

stable%future%for%me%and%my%kids.%This%

would%truly%help%out.%


%

88%

Elizabeth% ODear% 77401% TX% %%

Margery% Race% 78741% TX% %%

Lisa% Reyes% 77028% TX% It%matters%to%me%because%i%want%my%

boyfriend%to%come%home%soon%for%his%

kids%and%he%can%change%his%life%already%

and%be%a%better%person.%

Carolyn% Riddle% 78758% TX% %%

Corinne% Sabo% 78201% TX% %%

Candace% Salazar% 75204% TX% %%

Greg% Sells% 78741% TX% %%

Stephanie% Spencer% 78744% TX% Most%every%one%in%a%low%income%

situation,%knows%someone%who%has%

suffered%incarceration.%It%is%

heartbreaking%to%see%them%struggle%for%

normalcy,%but%because%of%employer%

rejections,%they%end%up%homeless.%

Please%help%these%fellow%Americans%

experience%freedom%to%be%a%productive%

member%of%society.%

Lisa% Stone% 77096% TX% %%

William% Stone% 78757% TX% %%

Gerard% Sullivan,%SM% 78228% TX% %%

Diana% Waulters% 79940% TX% Yes%I%believe%in%second%chances!%

Laura% Wilder% 75043% TX% %%

Paul% Ziese% 78217% TX% %%

Chris% Armitage% 84047% UT% %%

Diane% Arnal% 84790% UT% %%

jeff% moore% 84128% UT% Those%who%do%not%strive%for%a%better%

life%continue%to%live%fighting%against%the%

system.%Those%of%us%who%truly%believe%

in%change%and%second%chances%plead%

with%you%to%help%us%obtain%a%better%and%

higher%status%in%life%by%unprejudiced%

opportunity.%Please%do%away%with%the%

small%things%that%hold%back%good%

American%citizens%from%obtaining%a%

deserving%status%and%opportunity.%

Jonelle% Reynolds% 84791% UT% %%

Blaine% Blackthorne% 24333% VA% This%can%ruin%the%lives%of%non@violent,%

good%people.%Especially%in%Black%

people!%

Lucille% Chagnon% 23336% VA% People%live%and%learn.%

Henry% Coleman% 23185% VA% %%

Karen% Fedorov% 22712% VA% I%want%the%box%banned%for%non@violent%


%

89%

convictions.%

Elaine% Fischer% 24018% VA% %%

Charlotte% Gardiner% 24018% VA% %%

Harriet% Hirsch% 22182% VA% %%

Hilarie% Hoting% 22201% VA% Please%ban%the%box@give%people%a%

chance!%

Kathi% Keller% 22980% VA% No%one%should%continue%to%be%

"punished"%once%they've%served%their%

sentence.%When%you%deny%them%

legitimate%opportunities%then%what's%

left?%Duh!%Unless%you%believe%in%

supporting%the%prison%business,%and%

that's%what%it%is%now,%a%money@making%

business,%then%the%goal%is%to%remove%

obstacles%that%are%blocking%the%right%

path.%

KIMBERLY% LESTER% 22802% VA% No%one%should%be%defined%by%the%worst%

thing%they’ve%done.%

M.% Logan% 22812% VA% %%

SABRINA% MCDOUGALL% 22554% VA% %%

Jason% Miller% 22201% VA% %%

Shaunetta% Parker% 23508% VA% %%

Karla% Worrell% 23219% VA% %%

Thomas% Berube,%S.S.E.% 05439% VT% %%

Joshua% Chasan% 05401% VT% %%

Deborah% DeLadurantaye% 05401% VT% %%

Betsy% Emerson% 05477% VT% %%

Kim% Kie% 05641% VT% %%

Sylvia% Knight% 05445% VT% Please%lead%the%way%to%giving%our%

brothers%and%sisters%a%second%chance%

by%"banning%the%box"%on%applications%

for%employment%at%the%White%House%

and%the%Federal%Government.%

Continued%punishment%beyond%prison%

is%not%the%answer!%

Margaret% MacLean% 05403% VT% Employment%is%a%major%deterrent%to%

recidivism.%

Congreve% Quinby% 05401% VT% I%have%been%involved%in%prison%ministry%

for%more%then%12%years@@inside%and%out%

of%prison.%I%know%how%difficult%it%is%for%

former%inmates%to%get%job.%Banning%the%

box%will%make%it%easier%for%them.%

Melinda% White@Bronson% 05401% VT% %%

Daniel% Wright% 05753% VT% %%


%

90%

Aylea% Allen% 98133% WA% %%

KATHERIN% BALLES% 98310% WA% %%

Mary% Caver% 99207% WA% It%matters%to%me%because%I%can%not%get%

the%job%I%am%looking%for%and%qualified%to%

handle%because%I%went%to%prison%20%

years%ago,%denied%a%pardon%3%times%and%

I%need%9%hrs.%to%have%a%Bachelor%Degree%

in%Psychology,%but%where%will%I%be%able%

to%use%it!!%

Henrik% de%Savy% 98119% WA% This%is%perpetuating%the%cycle%of%

dehumanization%and%crime.%Our%states%

need%to%use%the%money%we%spend%on%

private%prisons%on%education%@%that%

would%be%criminal%justice.%

Eileen% Drath% 98250% WA% %%

Sara% DuBois% 98059% WA% We%should%all%be%given%second%chances%

in%life,%especially%if%we%are%trying%to%

better%ourselves.%More%so%then%for%the%

person%who%has%been%imprisoned%and%

has%come%out%to%find%no%possibility%of%a%

job%for%themselves.%

Mike% Ellison% 98663% WA% %%

john% eschen% 99133% WA% I%have%said%this%before,%when%a%person%

goes%to%jail,%they%have%paid%their%debt%

to%society,%they%should%not%be%punished%

for%the%rest%of%their%lives.%

Ruth%Neuwald% Falcon% 98125% WA% %%

Robert% Gabriel% 98506% WA% I%worked%as%a%psychologist%&%consultant%

in%prison%systems%for%many%years%&%met%

many%who%deserved%a%second%chance%

without%stigma.%

Daniel% Gilman% 98103% WA% %%

MARGARET% HASHMI% 98226% WA% %%

TAMI%JO% HILL% 98499% WA% PEOPLE%CAN%&%DO%CHANGE,%AS%A%

RECENT%BORN%AGAIN%CHRISTIAN%MY%

WHOLE%LIFE%HAS%BEEN%A%POSITVE%

RENEWAL%*%YES%A%SECOND%CHANCE%*%(I%

NEVER%BEING%INCARCERATED)%

Lorraine%D.% Johnson% 98118% WA% %%

Tina% McKim% 98225% WA% %%

Bruce% Miller% 98584% WA% %%

John% Niendorf% 98250% WA% %%

Rae% Pearson% 98105% WA% %%

Linda% Rohan% 98116% WA% %%

Annette% Roy% 99006% WA% %%


%

91%

Verne% Schweiger% 98146% WA% Over%the%years%I've%mentored%men%

reentering%society%after%incarceration.%

We%need%to%remove%this%unnecessary%

obstacle%to%successful%reentry%for%those%

sincerely%trying%to%become%productive%

citizens.%Thank%you.%

Diane% Shaughnessy% 98406% WA% %%

Alice% Tobias% 98105% WA% %%

Jason% Weinstock% 99224% WA% %%

Kathleen% Wolfe% 98335% WA% %%

John% Barbetta% 54759% WI% Perfection?%It's%not%perfect.%Perfect%

people?%It's%no%possible.%jlB%

Molly% brewer% 53209% WI% hi%

Kenneth%and%Penny% Bruce% 53211% WI% %%

Jim% Cusack% 53147% WI% THERE%GO%I%BUT%FOR%THE%GRACE%OF%

GOD.%MY%GOD%IS%A%GOD%OF%LOVE@

FORGIVENESS%@MERCY.%WHEN%VISITING%

JAILS%WITH%THE%I%C%D%ICHICAGO%WE%LET%

THEM,OUR%BROTHERS&%SISTERS%KNOW%

THEY%ARE%NOT%ALONE%OR%FORGOTTEN.%

JC%

Julian% Faledas% 54701% WI% %%

Nancy% Gathing% 53714% WI% %%

Grace% Golata% 53215% WI% %%

Norda% Gromoll% 54521% WI% %%

Deborah% Hall% 53559% WI% %%

Glenn% Krakower% 53228% WI% %%

Suzelle% Lynch% 53005% WI% So%many%people%are%denied%

opportunities%because%a%crime%they%

committed%and%"did%time"%for%follows%

them%everywhere%in%life.%Why?%It's%

racism,%prejudice,%oppression,%pure%and%

simple.%Please%ban%the%box!%

Elizabeth% matz% 53211% WI% %%

Robert% Oestreicher% 53551% WI% %%

Jeannie% Roberts% 53705% WI% %%

Jennifer% Sweetland% 53208% WI% %%

Judy% Wyeth% 53555% WI% %%

James% Hopkins% 82001% WY% %%

Dennis% Dehn% ddehn@tscp% %% %%

Teresa% MASIA%PERALES% 95600% %% %%

Jelica% Roland% 52420% %% %%


%

92%

Lorenz% Steininger% 86558% %% %%

Judi% Raymer% @% @% %%

%

!

Documents

Dear%Mr.%President,%% their%worst%choice.%% job ...civilrightsdocs.info/pdf/criminal-justice/letter-a... · Mr.$President,$we$believe$that$no$one$should$be$defined$by$the$worst$thing$they’ve$done$in$