 "Photo: Matt Lasek")
The Boston City Council unanimously approved a measure Wednesday that aims to stamp out discriminatory hiring practices by allowing city officials to penalize vendors who refuse to hire ex-convicts by not doing business with them.
Councilors at the weekly meeting at City Hall indicated that people with criminal records should not suffer discrimination because, if they have been in prison, they have already paid their debt to society.
Many councilors agreed with leaders of the Massachusetts Alliance to Reform CORI, or Criminal Offender Records Information, saying that former convicts are less likely to become repeat offenders if they are employed.
Councilor Chuck Turner (Roxbury, Dorchester), who drafted the proposal for the bill, said Boston is taking a historic step in advocating fairness in the employment system.
"We will make sure people are qualified for the jobs they're taking without considering CORI reports," Turner said. "It is not fair for us to turn our backs on our citizens just because they have had a criminal record."
Councilor At-Large Stephen Murphy, who took fourth place in the preliminary election for at-large councilors last week, agreed with Turner.
"This measure was a matter of fundamental justice," Murphy said. "It's about time we give a new start to people who have run afoul in life."
Councilor Charles Yancey (Dorchester, Mattapan) noted that Nelson Mandela, Martin Luther King, Jr. and Malcolm X all made notable contributions to society after being imprisoned, as he expressed his approval of the measure yesterday.
"People who pay their debt to society with dignity and respect need to hear the message that they will not be institutionalized forever," Yancey said. "This legislation is not a cure-all, but it does let people with criminal records know that we will not consign them to second-class citizenship."
Councilor John Tobin (Jamaica Plain, West Roxbury) said that a person's history should not interfere with his or her future.
"We're not guaranteeing people employment -- they must be qualified -- but we're trying to help them get a foot in the door," said Tobin. "People who have already paid their dues to society deserve at least an interview."
Councilor James Kelly (Roxbury, South Boston) said that although he approved the measure, he was not satisfied with its logistics.
"Not everyone out there is a Nelson Mandela," Kelly said. "Some people we're giving absolution to probably don't deserve it. What a person did in their past is not irrelevant to their future employment. [Our vendors] are punished for refusing to hire people even if they were murderers or rapists."
Councilor Michael Ross (Back Bay, Fenway) countered Kelly's position, saying the measure will help keep ex-convicts off the street.
"Everyone must have money to eat and feed their families," Ross said. "If [people with criminal records] aren't getting gainful employment, they'll be out on the streets finding other ways to eat."
Councilor At-Large and mayoral candidate Maura Hennigan said employment for ex-convicts is beneficial for taxpayers.
"It's good for the individual and for society as a whole," she said. "When people are employed instead of back in jail, then our tax dollars do not have to pay jail costs or the costs of public assistance for that person's family."
Council President Michael Flaherty said ex-convicts cannot be indefinitely stigmatized for "youthful indiscretions" and substance abuse-related crimes.
The city may grant waivers to firms on a contract-by-contract basis if vendors explain their reasons for refusing to hire ex-convicts.
After passing the measure, which will go into effect next July, the Council received a standing ovation from a crowd of MARC members in attendance.
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