Chamber Forum: Business can lead the way in providing second chances

The 2019 Legislative Session saw the Florida Legislature pass the most significant criminal justice reform package in years.

HB 7125 upped the felony theft threshold and slashed barriers to occupational licensing for felons, among other reforms.

But according Georgetown University Law Professor Shon Hopwood, further efforts to help felons secure employment and shorter prison terms could boost prosperity in the Sunshine State.

Hopwood is himself a felon — he robbed five banks and served 11 years in a federal prison.

“I committed a violent crime, but I am not a violent criminal,” Hopwood said in a conversation with state Sen. Jeff Brandes at the Florida Chamber of Commerce’s Future of Florida Forum.

During Hopwood’s time behind bars, he took an interest in the law and filed two petitions the went on to be heard by the United States Supreme Court. He said his story is proof that people who’ve committed crimes can change, so long as they’re given an opportunity to do so.

“Most Americans think that when people break the law that they’re a bad person,” he said.

But many crimes are committed by young people who haven’t considered the potential punishment they could face if they’re caught.

“When you don’t consider the consequences of your actions for yourself, you don’t consider the consequences of your actions for others,” he said.

Though they may have acted without foresight in their youth, data shows that when people reach their thirties and forties, they are far less likely to commit crimes.

Still, the challenges felons face upon release don’t help. Especially when considering the psychological toll trauma a long term prison sentence can inflict.

Hopwood said initiatives such as the “ban the box” movement can help felons get an interview, but not necessarily a job. What would help more? Private business stepping up and committing to second chance hiring.

Major corporations such as Koch Industries have made the pledge, and they’ve found that the benefits far outweigh the risks — employees with criminal records often overperform because they’re thankful for the opportunity and driven to succeed