General Information for Individuals with Criminal Records
Connections 2012 and the Job Search
(Separate Website)
This guide is for formerly incarcerated people to learn the various steps involved in hunting for work. It discusses job interviewing and resume writing, preparation in prison, avoiding job discrimination as a formerly incarcerated individual, and telling the truth about your conviction(s) on a job application. It also lists many helpful organizations that can help with all kinds of problems.
By: The New York Public Library
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
New York Resources and Assistance
(Separate Website)
By: National HIRE Network
The Consequences of Criminal Charges: A People's Guide This manual provides basic information about some of the many consequences of criminal charges,
arrest, and incarceration in New York State. You will find information and materials geared towards helping you understand these consequences and strategies for preventing or overcoming them. Subtopics covered include: Encounters With the Police, Civic Participation (including voting rights and jury service), Employment, Family, Public Benefits, Student Loans, Financial Impact, Housing, Immigration, Criminal Records, and Certificates of Rehabilitation.
By: Bronx Defenders and Reentry.net/NY
Protections for People with Arrest Records, Sealed Records, Youthful Offender Adjudications or Criminal Convictions
(Separate Website)
By: New York State Division of Human Rights
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
What do I need to know to find a job if I have a criminal record? How can I start my own business if I have a criminal record?
Are You Somebody With a Criminal Record, HIV/AIDS or an Alcohol or Drug History? Prevent Discrimination Before It Happens
(Separate Website)
This booklet is for New Yorkers with HIV or AIDS, a drug or alcohol problem and/or a criminal record who want to know their rights to be free of discrimination. It explains: laws that forbid discrimination; limits on what employers, landlords, and others may ask; how to get a job or housing despite the stigma associated with HIV, addiction, and having a criminal record; and what to do when confronted with illegal discrimination.
By: Legal Action Center of the City of New York, Inc. (LAC)
The Prime Objective: A Guide to Preparing the Job Seeking Ex-Offender
(Separate Website)
Resource booklet designed to help ex-offenders with the job search and with reintegration into society. Includes information about obtaining important documents, certificates from the parole board, your rap sheet and your credit reports, and other important steps job seekers should take.
By: New York State Department of Labor
Returning to New York City After Incarceration
(Separate Website)
Information about how to obtain public housing and employment after being released from prison.
By: MFY Legal Services, Inc.
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
Small Business Toolkit
(Separate Website)
If you have a criminal record this toolkit will help you learn about how you can start a business or find a job. The toolkit starts with an explanation of the laws that prohibit employment discrimination based on criminal records and provides tips for getting necessary identification documents and applying for certificates of rehabilitation. It then sets out steps for planning and starting a business, and for applying for necessary licenses.
By: City Bar Justice Center
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
Certificates of Relief from Disabilities and Certificates of Good Conduct: What You Can Do About Criminal Convictions When Looking for Work
(Separate Website)
This guides individuals with criminal histories through the process of obtaining specific New York State certificates that can be helpful in overcoming barriers to employment that may exist because of a criminal conviction.
By: Legal Action Center of the City of New York, Inc. (LAC)
Certificates to Demonstrate Rehabilitation: Why They are So Important and How to Get Them Guide that details why certificates are so important, what each one does, eligibility, how to obtain a certificate, and helpful tips. Also includes a chart on automatic disqualifications for public housing.
By: The Bronx Defenders' Civil Action Project
Certificates of Relief From Disabilities and Certificates of Good Conduct Licensure and Employment of Offenders
(Separate Website)
This is a question and answer document from New York State regarding how to obtain certificates of relief and certificates of good conduct.
By: New York State Division of Probation and Correctional Alternatives
Please also see "Certificates that Show Rehabilitation"
(Separate Website)
Please also see the section named "Certificates that Show Rehabilitation" for more information on how to obtain a Certificate of Relief from Disabilities or a Certificate of Good Conduct.
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
Does my criminal record mean I can't get an employment license?
New York State Occupational Licensing Survey
(Separate Website)
Over one hundred occupations require some type of license, registration, or certification by a state agency. Survey provides information about statutory restrictions placed on licensure of individuals with criminal records and about procedures available to appeal a denial of license, registration or certification based on criminal history.
By: Legal Action Center of the City of New York, Inc. (LAC)
Healthcare Licensing Chart This is a chart summarizing the procedures for criminal history checks and criminal record-based restrictions. This chart also lists the processes for overcoming these restrictions for job applicants at agencies licensed by the Department of Health, Office of Mental Health, and Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities.
By: Legal Action Center of the City of New York, Inc. (LAC)
Know-Your-Rights to the Transportation Security Administration's Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) Background Checks of Port Workers and Truck Drivers
(Separate Website)
Provides general information about transportation worker background checks and links to know-your-rights flyers in various languages.
By: National Employment Law Project
Read this in:
Hindi / हिन्दी
How to File Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) Waivers and Appeals
(Separate Website)
Allows TWIC applicants to understand how to respond to TSA's initial determinations of ineligibility.
By: National Employment Law Project
What employment rights do I have if I have a criminal record?
Employment Discrimination Fact Sheet for Workers This fact sheet lists types of workplace discrimination along with tips for recognizing workplace discrimination (based on gender, religion, national origin/ethnicity, criminal history, etc.). It provides explanations of sexual harassment, language discrimination, required religious accommodations, etc. It also contains phone numbers of agencies to call if you feel you are experiencing workplace discrimination.
By: National Employment Law Project
Know Your Rights: Understanding Juvenile and Criminal Records and their Impact on Employment This booklet was written to educate young people who have been involved in the criminal justice system on the challenges they might face when seeking employment, and explain what can be done to improve the chances of being hired despite your criminal record.
By: National Hire Network and Legal Action Center
How to Get and Clean Up Your NY State Rap Sheet
(Separate Website)
This booklet offers a person with a criminal record a step-by-step guide to getting and cleaning up his or her state rap sheet. The booklet includes model letters, explanations of what types of offenses can be sealed, and guidance on completing employment applications. The booklet also explains how to get a Certificate of Relief from Disabilities or a Certificate of Good Conduct.
By: Legal Action Center of the City of New York, Inc. (LAC)
What do I do if I think an employer is discriminating against me because I have a criminal record?
How to File a Complaint with the New York City Commission on Human Rights
(Separate Website)
Information on how to file a complaint with the City if you are a victim of employment discrimination.
By: New York City Commission on Human Rights
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
How to File a Complaint with the New York State Division of Human Rights
(Separate Website)
Information on how to file a complaint with the State Division of Human Rights if you believe that you have been the victim of discrimination.
By: New York State Division of Human Rights
Read this in:
Chinese / 中文
,
Russian / Pусский
,
Spanish / Español
How do I obtain a birth certificate, ad driver's license and other important documents?
How to Obtain Important Documents
(Separate Website)
This guide tells you how to apply for and obtain important documents, including driver's licenses, non-driver I.D. cards, social security cards, birth certificates, voter registration, naturalization cards and passports. These documents are important because they are often needed to obtain employment, housing, public assistance, etc.
By: Legal Action Center of the City of New York, Inc. (LAC)
How to Apply for a Birth Certificate in New York City If you were born in NYC this booklet provides info on how to obtain a copy of your New York City birth certificate.
By: The Door - A Center of Alternatives
Obtaining a Drivers License in New York State
(Separate Website)
Fact sheet on how to apply for a driver's license in New York State.
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
Services and Support Available to Former Inmates and Their Families
Coming home: A Family's Guide to Reunification (Separate Website)
If your family member will soon be released from prison the New York State Department of Correctional Services and the Division of Parole developed a checklist of items that are important for you to review prior to the time that your family member returns home.
By: NYS Division of Parole
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
I do not speak English, what is my right to receive information in my language?
Video: How to Work with Interpreters
(Separate Website)
In this video, you will learn some basic tips that will allow you to communicate effectively and easily through an interpreter with a person who doesn't speak your language.
By: Legal Services of New Jersey
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
Beyond Going Home: From Reentry to Reintegration Provides tips on successful reintegration after release from prison. It highlights essential steps for a successful reentry including establishing a positive relationship with Parole officer; building positive relationships; getting involved in community activities; and meeting the challenge of obtaining employment.
By: Center for Community Alternatives
Certificates of Relief, Good Conduct, and Disposition One-page info sheet on applying for Certificates, with process for each borough on NYC.
By: Community Service Society
Collateral Consequences Calculator
(Separate Website)
A calculator designed as an aid to legal research for judges, attorneys and legal academics. It can provide a preliminary overview of the collateral consequences associated with sections of the New York State Penal Law, and can be used as a way of seeing the big picture and beginning the process of determining the varied consequences of criminal charges.
By: Columbia Law School
Complaints About Attorneys
(Separate Website)
If you have a complaint against an attorney, you may contact the Attorney Disciplinary / Grievance Committee. The office you need to contact depends upon the location of your lawyer's office. Click for more information.
By: New York State Unified Court System
Do You Have a Criminal Conviction History?
(Separate Website)
A guide to employment rights in New York for those with a criminal conviction history.
By: The Association of the Bar of the City of New York
New York City Employment and Training Coalition: Top 100 NYC Workforce Providers
(Separate Website)
A directory of New York City's top workforce development providers.
By: New York City Employment and Training Coalition
NYC Department of Education Policy for Arrested Employees This resource clarifies the responsibilities of different offices within the Department of Education to investigate the circumstances of employees and other persons working for the Department who are arrested. It also contains information on background checks for job applicants.
By: New York City Department of Education
Reentry Readiness Manual
(Separate Website)
This manual ask ten questions that help determine if an individual is adequately prepared for a successful community reentry and provides guidance on how to be better prepared.
By: Center for Behavioral Services and Criminal Justice Research at Rutgers University
United States Navy and Marine Corps Criminal History Disqualification's Overview of the impact of criminal history and records on eligibility for the Navy and Marine Corps.
By: Legal Action Center
Adobe Acrobat Reader required. (If you are using a screen reader that does not support PDF format, copy the PDF link, and use the Access Adobe online form to convert this file to HMTL text.)
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