Simon (not his real name) wanted to share his story for two reasons: “because it might help others and because it’s a shout out to the unfairness of the system”.
An unsettled childhood
I am 74, born to Jewish parents and adopted very soon after birth by a couple of Jewish academics who already had one son but could have no more. I think I have always wondered who I was and where I came from.
Despite having a warm, successful and stimulating home, I began to rail against my parents quite early. I was a problem having no connection with the family ‘built in’ so to speak. I did poorly at school, started stealing small items and generally must have been a pain for them. At around 11 or 12 I started stealing bicycles and was caught, of course! But I carried on being a nuisance and breaking various laws until I was given a warning that Approved School awaited unless I changed my ways.
There followed a period in which I worked at sea but eventually decided to return to land-based employment. I was 19. I found a job easily and within a week had stolen the takings from the owner of the business. I was caught and charged, and sent to Borstal – an open one from which I promptly absconded with a new mate.
I was picked up a few weeks later and then sent to a full security place where, to be honest I thrived being one of few young prisoners who could read and write; I helped others with their letters.
Building a new life
I was released early and started the long, hard journey back to normality.
Much of that period is blank actually – I do recall that support was almost non-existent and I dug up vegetables from allotments to eat, I was so hungry. I suppose that too was theft.
I think the system in those days was abysmal and I hope today it’s better and more supportive with probation officers actually interested in their charges.
Many years passed during which I had a lot of legal fun in various parts of the world. Eventually I took a course to become a professional. I ended up in the top 11% on that course and my new career was launched. I followed that profession with great success and later, as a mature student took two post-graduate degrees, a Master’s and a PGCHE. I also become a Fellow of the professional association to which I ascribed.
I became a senior lecturer in my field travelling the world giving lectures, writing numerous articles and a book and I was (and am) well respected in the field.
DBS check for a new job
I managed to avoid being asked for proof of criminal record, even when I took top, senior positions and then, just a few years ago, it happened.
I was offered and accepted a post as an advisor to an organisation which deals with children and so I sent off for my enhanced DBS check which came back with details of my transgressions from all those years ago!
Now, I have a public name and face within my profession and at my age am not prepared to go through the whole history of what I did all those years ago. I declined to show my employer and so, naturally, lost the position.
Unfair and counter-productive
This seems to me to be grossly wrong. That a relatively small theft (£250) can remain on one’s record and determine one’s later employment is simply unfair and counterproductive.
In addition, because my adopted family were WW2 Jewish refugees, I could apply for citizenship of the country from which they escaped. My brother has done so with no problems. I cannot since I’d have to disclose my record! I feel I am denied a symbolic and important opportunity which would go some way towards putting right the wrongs of Nazism and antisemitism.
I know that I was wrong all those years ago, of course I do, and I don’t blame my actions on anyone but myself. And yet, I believe there is statistical evidence that being adopted can leave one feeling lost and unsettled for a very long time resulting in anti-social behaviours.
I was wrong, yes. But that I am still paying for that error, that slip or series of small slips, is surely not useful to anyone at all.