I am a 55-year-old, and was released in 2021 after serving five years for money laundering.
When I was first released in 2021, I sought work. I was shocked at how many roles refused to even interview me.
I have a background in I.T, working for a Silicon Valley corporate for over seven years along with business and project management experience.
Eventually I parked the idea of using my real career skills and took a minimum pay delivery driver job where they asked no questions.
A change in direction
Fast forward three years and my partner had bought a family home which we renovated and extended. My partner was the breadwinner and I project-managed and worked on the build while working as a driver sometimes only part time. We now have a great home for us both and our two teenage children.
As part of our renovations, we installed solar panels, batteries and an air source heat pump.
I became somewhat of an expert in this area of renewables. I decided to try and find employment in this sector as I saw it as a growth area commercially and ethically.
A direct approach is successful
Not wanting to just apply for a job I found a business in the sector, and wrote directly to the CEO, sharing my professional experience and how I felt I could benefit their business.
A series of interviews with executives at the company went well. I finally met with the commercial director, and even though they did not have a role advertised, the company created a role for me as a Relationship Manager. This had a UK council as one of my key accounts for 300+ installations. They made me an offer of £45k plus benefits which I verbally accepted.
Devastation
Two days later, the written offer arrived with a footnote saying the on-boarding process would require a DBS check. I spent the next day writing an open and candid disclosure of the circumstance which occurred some 11-12 years earlier and explaining that I wanted to disclose before the onboarding process commenced.
Four days later I received a withdrawal of the offer.
Here is a situation where I have the relevant experience, four senior executives had decided they wanted me on their team and even created a budget and role for me.
This felt devastating. Here was an industry I felt passionate about and a company that saw the value I could bring.
Is this fair?
The recent changes to the time spent convictions appear on DBS check, although welcome, will do little for my career. I will be 63 when this is clear.
In prison I never had a single black mark, I attended college while at open prison, took A-Level Psychology and taught myself to play piano.
Now 11 years since my arrest I still have a further eight years until my record is clear.
Is this fair? Who is this benefiting?
