It's a question we all have to answer when we apply for a job, "Have you been convicted of a felony?"
While some see it as a safety issue, others say it's keeping good-intentioned people from getting a job.
There's a national effort called "ban the box." Several major cities, including Detroit, have already implemented measures that remove that question.
Now, a group wants to bring it to MidMichigan.
Pastor Larry Camel from Saginaw's Parishioners on Patrol says, "Some corporations have the policy. They don't hire felons right off the bat. They don't even considering what kind of person they are. If a person has been to prison and spent their time and came out in society and have been living a proper life, they need the opportunity to have a job as anyone else."
The effort would ban the question on Saginaw County applications asking about prior convictions.
The Michigan Department of Corrections says it releases around 10,000 prisoners a year.
Pastor Camel says they need to have the chance to get a job, provide for their families, and succeed.
"Some people have been out five years and still can't get gainful employment. So what do you do? You return to what you know, and we don't want that to happen," says Camel.
If the measure passes, the employer can still ask the question in the interview and conduct a background check.
The idea is to give the applicant the chance at explaining themselves in the interview.
"If you're in a car with individuals and there's a gun, you could get two years in prison, and that's a felony right there. You could be 18 years old. That can follow you the rest of your life."
Pastor Camel encourages those with criminal pasts to volunteer in the community to build up a pattern of good deeds and service so that employers can know they have changed.
The measure will be discussed at the November 8th Saginaw County Commissioners meeting.
