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APSU will soon publish Locked Out – a report on the impact that criminal check records have on consumers’ lives.
The report is based on interviews with nine consumers on their personal experiences of applying for job positions and accessing educational programs with a criminal record. A number of key themes emerge from this report.
All participants experienced rejection and negative reactions to their criminal record.
Over two-thirds of participants admitted to self-excluding themselves from particular job positions due to wanting to protect themselves from the negativity associated with a criminal record.
One-third of participants needed to provide a criminal record check to their educational institution and faced a variety of barriers in applying for student placements, a core component for their course.
Over half participants had experienced financial hardship and personal stress due to the barriers in gaining employment and the negativity they experienced due to their criminal record.
“It causes a lot of stress, you know… you’re putting a lot of effort into applying for jobs, and a lot of self-doubt comes into it when it comes to the criminal records check… It’s a bit depressing; I do feel a bit depressed and a bit lost.”
Two-thirds of participants highlighted the importance of being able to discuss the content of their criminal record with potential and existing employers, and saw this as essential in overcoming the stigma associated with their record. This was particularly important as many participants reported that a significant amount of time had elapsed since their last charge.