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The White House
said the steps, to be unveiled by Obama at an appearance in
Newark, New Jersey, would include up to $8 million in federal
education grants over three years for former inmates as well as
new guidance on the use of arrest records in determining
eligibility for public and federally assisted housing.
Obama is also directing the Office of Personnel Management to
take steps where possible to modify its rules in order to delay
inquiries into criminal backgrounds until later in the hiring
process.
"While most agencies already have taken this step, this action
will better ensure that applicants from all segments of society,
including those with prior criminal histories, receive a fair
opportunity to compete for federal employment," the White House
said in a statement.
It added that Obama was encouraged that Congress was considering
a measure to "ban the box" for criminal histories for hiring by
federal agencies and contractors, following the lead of some
cities, states and private companies.
Noting that more than 600,000 people were released every year
from state and federal prisons, the White House said: "Advancing
policies and programs that enable these men and women to put
their lives back on track and earn their second chance promotes
not only justice and fairness, but also public safety."
Obama in July became the first sitting president to visit a
federal prison. He has called on Congress to pass sentencing
reform to help reduce the number of people serving long
sentences for non-violent drug crimes.
With only 5 percent of the world’s population, the United States
accounts for about 25 percent of the world’s prison population,
according to the American Civil Liberties Union.
(Reporting by Peter Cooney; Editing by Andrew Hay)
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