The Secret Life Sentence of Being a Felon | Harley Blakeman | TEDxOhioStateUniversity 

I committed theft when I was 19. I never offended again, paid my restitution, and even got my record expunged. I’m 37 now and was just rejected from a dream job because of one mistake. Even though my record was sealed, they fingerprint for background checks and can still see sealed convictions. The system is completely broken and gatekeepers are everywhere. I feel for anyone who has been treated poorly simply because of a record. My new goal is to start my own company and give others the second chance they deserve.

Coming out was hard and I struggled finding purpose but I started my own business. A landscape business. Make over 100,000 and hire struggling kids and felons.

It's even worse when someone has been convicted of a crime they didn't commit.

This is why people like us need to stick together and help each other out because we’re the only ones who can truly understand what we’re going through. They wanna make it nearly impossible to live a decent life after a past mistake by creating barriers that target the individual but if we create a community then no matter what they throw at us we can still survive.

It gets better everyone, I caught a class B felony when I was 18, did 4 in prison, 4 on parole. I learned to box, got my GED, got in the best shape of my life, and grew up. I wish it wasn't on my record anymore, it doesn't effect me nowhere near as bad, it's been 14 years. After so long, it shouldn't continue to be on your record, I believe that strongly. If you've done better, don't get in trouble for years, why's it still get used against you? Where's the incentive to do better?

Non violent charge from 2006, even after college and 6 years of experience, still automatically disqualified over 200 times in 3 years.. Its a constant struggle

The best decision I ever made was going to college after incarceration. With my college degree I was able to get an apprentice electrician job . After several years of being an apprentice I took my journeyman test and passed . After that I took my masters and passed . It’s all about the little steps and being patient. It took 13 years to get where I’m at now. Don’t give up on yourself and just keep filling out applications or go to school. I never thought it was possible but on January 19th 2021my firearms rights were restored in the state of Minnesota. Anything is possible. I believe in you .

Got an interview today for a job that offers a great salary. They called and asked about my background yesterday and because I was 100% honest I still have the interview. Anyone out there struggling with finding work, just be honest and accept that rejection is in everyone's life. Accept who you are and own your past. Don't let it define your future. Much love.

Absolutely fu**ing ridiculous that there is still discrimination in this day and age. So many young able men to work and this is what we do??? Just shameful!

I'm an Ex Con and I'm getting my Bachelor's degree in Business Administration. I don't rely on the system I will open my own business in the future even if is a little chain of hotdog stands. Life is what you make of it.

Felon. My life has hit a point where I question why even go on anymore. I have always had the mindset to never give up no matter how hard i think I have it, someone has it worse. But my battle I think now it futile. I don't want to be another suicide statistic. But i also don't want to do this.

Most importantly, why should our mistake punish our family ? This problem tumbles through many generations and they don’t see it . Our children should not be effected by something held above their parents head for the rest of their life . I wake up everyday thinking how I can do something impactful for my children , something they would be proud of . I just want to give them a small house and a backyard one day . Thanks for standing up

I hear it time and time again: "How can people move on if you won't let them?" I genuinely believe it is the individual's responsibility to keep trying as hard as they can. But, that being said, it never ceases to disgust me the number of people who proclaim to be followers of a faith with forgiveness and redemption at it's very core, who seem completely oblivious to their own hypocrisy when it comes to applying that to anyone with any kind of negative history. America became a great nation because of people searching for second chances. Our deterioration is, in large part, because we've forgotten that.

Thank you for sharing your story. It is unfortunate that the stigma of imprisonment becomes an extension of punishment to those who have already served their time. The barriers that are placed on recently released individuals extend into their difficulties for obtaining housing, adequate transportation, maintaining a stable job, having a positive social support system, etc. Some folks also may have parole guidelines or curfews that they must abide by post-release. Conversations about the stigma attached to having been a ‘felon’ are definitely needed to allow people to successfully reintegrate into society.

Come to NYC.... They recently adopted a no ask law. Employers are no longer allowed to ask about having a criminal record on job applications. They can only ask once your hired. And if they them hire you they have to explain why and how your felony conviction would be an obstacle to you working there. So if it's a charge for theft and the job is a construction job... It has no relevance and would not fly upon revew by the state unemployment board.

I’m a 24 yo ex-felon and I made up my mind to do better and now i make over $200k/a year and a Business Owner. You just have to hang in there and take the path of least resistance.

Going through this situation here in Florida. People don’t seem to understand. They just think because it’s easy for them to find a job that everyone else can as well. I started my own videography business but the work isn’t consistent enough to survive off of. Having a felony definitely does feel like a secret life sentence.

This hit home.. Im an ex felon from 26 years ago and have a extremely hard time to find work. Whats even worse what work i had back then i was a addict. Now that I've been clean for years i can't even get work, not even in a booming economy, not even in a bottom-of-the-barrel jobs. I understand why ex cons resort back to drug dealing and stealing.. Being an ex-con of ANY kind of felon is a life sentence no matter what anyone tells you. Trust me I know.

I pray that this becomes a billion dollar business. He would be one rich person that would care for the little people.

My felony is over 30 years old for a controlled substance violation the problem is when they pull your record they look at this like you just committed this 2 weeks ago they don't even consider multiple decades have passed with a clean record.

I have a misdemeanor from 12 years ago and no one will hire me, after getting rejected hundreds of times you just sit there and cry because theirs no hope. Makes me truly sad. Feel like it's the same as being a felon

Just got out of jail and I’m a violent felon, I’m only 21 and now my track record has ruined most chances of getting a good job, it’s crazy how a felony can turn your life upside down...makes you want to sell drugs again who wants to make $9 an hour at the wimpy burger

Smh my conviction is ten years old and I can't get a break. I was a mother, wife, homeowner and teacher. All gone now and never coming back. I can't even get back into school. I earn $15 an hour and barely survive. My children deserve better.

Felons Unite. After my fed supervision is done, I'm going to law school. Stay strong brothers.

We live in an Unforgiving society that categorizes and labels people.

Story of my life as well. I got in trouble when I was 19, in 1997, for vandalism and theft charges, and was given a 12 year prison sentence, eligible for parole after serving 30% of it. I served 3 1/2 years, got out for 6 months but with no opportunities and facing violating parole for not maintaining employment I tried to flee my state and my past, and ended up stealing a car in the next state over, catching 1 more felony and 20 more years added to my sentence, for a total of 32 years (side note: the car I stole had the keys in it, I drove it 1 mile, and it was retrieved undamaged - and they wanted to give me a life sentence for that). I ended spending all of my 20s in prison, minus 6 months, and got out in 2007. Since then have had no problems with the law, but also 0 opportunities of note, and this also applies to being denied housing. In addition to the 10 years that I served, I also got through 14 years of parole, which just ended last year. I too went to college, thinking that it would open some doors for me, but quickly came to realize that my felonies outweigh any positive things I have done since. I also live in a state where getting your record expunged is not possible, ever. I'm 45 now, have never had a single thing in my name, and feel pretty hopeless about my chances in the future. Though I'm not incarcerated anymore, I feel like I've been in prison since the day I committed my first offenses and that there is no escape. I would love nothing more than to be part of society again, and have a lot I could contribute, but for a country where everyone would agree that people deserve second chances if they have served their time, I have found that the reality is the exact opposite.

I ignorantly took a plea (my lawyers advice) for felony deferred adjudication in 2018 for Aggravated Assault/Family violence. I lost my job of 22 years working as an RN. My attorney never told me that in Texas, even with the completed Deferred adjudication, the Charge will not and cannot be removed from my record. I've been unemployed since 2018. Every job has denied to me. Fast food, lawn maintenance, etc. My health is now to poor to work anything like a construction job. I'm at the end of my rope, and I fear my life as well. I cannot even find, nor afford to move into my own place. So, I am forced to live with a physically and verbally abusive female. (She was convicted of Family violence against me). Either I live here, or under a bridge. 🥺

1 job in 5 years ....got fired after missing work too much to go to mandatory probation meetings and classes... I paid my debt to society and they treat me like a pariah

I can so relate. I'm honest about my background. Just a month ago I got hired in a great position. No where on the online application did it ask about my background. I started, filled out all the new hire paperwork, which also said nothing. I spoke to the HR colleague and told her the truth about my past. She questioned me asked me why & what happened & I was honest and told her. She then asked me leave & I complied. She called the next day and said "they're sorry but unable to move forward with my employment" She said "but we believe in second chances so I urge you to apply again in the future" (blew my mind) It's so hard. I've tried everything, I'm super discouraged but trying not to give up.

I finally just got 2 felony convictions expunged from my record in Kentucky after 15 years of living in shame. I'm so happy I could cry! I can now vote and own a gun again! Until a couple years ago you couldn't expunge a felony in Kentucky and you remained a felon for life

I’m actually going through this currently

Several mistakes made in my youth have cost me dearly I'm now in my 40s haven't even had a traffic ticket the last two decades and squeaky clean but I've endured years of being denied jobs after background checks. Not to mention I permanently lost my second amendment rights to protect my family. I can't even legally own a Taser. I'm not complaining I just know there's a lot of people in this country in the same situation I hope we can come together and fix it at some point. This country has so many laws you can't even step outside without breaking one even if you cross the street inappropriately you're asking for trouble... It's sickening I definitely don't feel like we live in a free country.

Thanks for sharing your story. I love the principles our country was founded on, but hate what it's become. I'm a non-violent felon too (drug possession). Many people don't realize that a vast majority of felons in the US are non-violent offenders. Let that sink in. Why are we telling adults what they can and cannot ingest if they are harming no one else? Lets take our freedom and constitutional rights back America! Also forgot to mention that I lost a decent job that was paying my bills, due to my legal trouble. I been out of work for 3 yrs now, and cant find another cuz of my record. Absolute BS.

What is sad that Felony record stays for life like every time, unless if there’s a very rare circumstances. I am not a felon, but I do see that permanent record not only deter people from becoming felons. It also deter felons from making good choices.

I'm a convicted felon and sinçe my release "18" years ago i still cannot get a job...I have a college degree and I've tried continuos day in and out applying for the job per my degree I get interviews offered the job and her hired once im hited here come the criminal background check and now a letter rejection in the mail from state of Sacramento stating I cannot work in the career field that I worked so hard for..I'm that 6,000,000 person who still without a job that nobody has took a chance on please help..

Ugh this is so relatable. I’m trying to become a licensed therapist and I’m so afraid my felony will bar me from licensure…. I’m afraid to get myself into huge amounts of debt just to be told no I can’t help the people who need it the most. I’m afraid I will be stuck at the same dead end job making no money to be able to support my son. As a single parent, I just want to be able to give my son the life he deserves, yet my biggest fear is my son having to suffer for his mom’s past drug addiction. 😣 I can’t even get a job within the mental health field to gain some experience because of my 1 felony. I have no previous criminal record, and no post criminal record, 5 years clean, and have a phenomenal work record. Life is so hard 😢 I’m trying not to give up, but it’s just mentally exhausting to be rejected over and over again.

I dont cry a lot. But this hit some spots close to home in my life. Thank you.

I'm surprised at how many views this talk has received. I first saw this talk before my incident. I happen to have experienced something traumatic in a foreign country. The mistakes... whether they were theirs or mine will not let me live. Be strong, brothers and sister... mothers and fathers. Thank you for sharing with us, Harley.

An ex felon is a felon for life..it must change.

This video brought tears to my eyes. I appreciate your effort to help those in our position

I got a felony when I was 18. Complete sleeve tattoos. Became a christian changed my life. Got 2 degrees working on 3. Work in the tech industry making 100k+. Dont give up keep going. The most important part is what you can control. Yourself. Your attitude perspective and how you treat others

I’m a single father and my record is 10 years old as well and it’s so hard for me to find a job it’s frustrating I just wanna better my life

thank you to this guy that speaking up for felons we need more people like him on our side I'm 40 years old and when I was 19 I was overcharged with two felonies would ruin my life ever since I can't get a job to save my life.If Im lucky and do get a job it's between $9 to $12 an hour which I'll have to work two or three of them to live a normal sub stained life living.I never made more than $12 an hour my whole life.

Great talk. Professional, educational, informative. Well done! Thank you for sharing your story!

I'm going through this right now.I have been pushing forward received my class a cdl and can not find employment from discrimination practices for the jobs I am qualified for do to my felony.its not easy.i appreciated this story and so many others cause I'm not alone.I went to the federal prison system for distribution charges and a past lifetime of mistakes for something I believed to be normal.transiton is difficult,fall forward is my positive self talk

I'm spending Christmas Day in a halfway house in Chillicothe, Ohio because I'm a felon that just left prison in Marysville, Ohio. Although it has taken all I have to hold myself together and count my blessings today, I have managed to do something positive with my time. Call it a Christmas miracle, call it the universe delivering me just what I need...but I randomly came across this video on RU-vid while seeking career development advice. I am very inspired by your story and I am very motivated to find my purpose, get an education, develop a career and make a difference. I would love more information about getting involved with fixing America's problem! I would also like some resources/advice about where to go from here! Thanks for this video, and please help me find my direction!

This is beautiful, gives hope to those in the same predicament. There’s life after your past mistakes.

Because of this societies lack of compassion to seal records after all conditions of conviction are met ,it makes me happy when these "law abiding citizens get a felony" for being just as capable of breaking the law by their choice. Enjoy your life long discrimination for your crime like we do.

Got mine as a minor for a non violent offense, got clean and went to college then couldn't get any jobs to complete the "internship" (job) required to graduate. Stayed clean another four years trying to get abiob using my education before going back to drugs after society clearly didn't want me reformed, sadly were a scarlet letter country

Wendy's told me they didn't care if it had been 1 yr or 100 yrs they wouldn't give me a job. I've been out of prison for 20 yrs. It's alot of stress and depression on me especially being 50 yrs old and only been to prison once but that one time was bad enough. I just wonder whether things will ever change because of everything that we see on the news with people shooting each other it will always stay the same because people are afraid and I can't blame them. But look at my record and you'd see I'm not committing any crimes and I'm being a productive citizen.

harley youre an inspiration brother! god bless you! I am a felon and lived almost the same life you have. I hope to one day be able to finish school and hope to find employement like you did.

Budweiser sellers good, weed sellers bad

Come to europe, in many countries criminal records have a expire date if no crimes have been committed.

Man your story got me having hope man thank you 😊

I wish I could just find a job. A job that will pay me enough to live on by myself.

VERY Sad story. God be with you.....

I have 7 felonies and they have never held me back from anything.

I know EXACTLY what you mean by this is a life sentence. I have a wack conviction for drinking and driving, here in Canada it doesn't matter what you offense is, we're all grouped together as one and the same and denied an equal opportunity for a humane life.

Sad to say I’m glad I’m not the only dealing with this. There weren’t many resources besides get any job. Most don’t pay enough for you to live alone. Take what you can and always look for better. It’s been 3 years now and still not where I was before my charge.

What really gets me is the lack of logic behind the convictions and release after the dues are paid. If the person is released from prison, probation is done and all is paid for then technically and logically that person is ready to intergrade back with society; however, cons are treated like they are still a threat and or liability. If the still posses a threat then why are they out in the first place? Also, people make such a foolish and naive assumption that just because a person has a clean record that they wont commit a crime. Every felon once had a clear record lol!

That's a life sentence for anyone else

Just finished my testimony on this on my page life as a felon is rough . But it gets better.

Equal opportunity employer does not count for felons. Learned that the hard way.

I was charged with murder of a missing white woman and jailed for 3 years no bond… charges eventually dismissed for lack of evidence. She was found married 10years later with “ milkman”. I have never been able to get a job and I’ve had no chances in life. I’ve been wanting to end it

Yesterday 3,100 felons were released from prisons across the USA. Second chance for felons!!!

What's insane to think about is he's a felon, I'm not, but he 10 times better person than I am. What does that say about the state of American legal system?

And definitely not to try and make this a race thing but it’s a lot easier to look like a felon gone good if you’re white. It is even harder when your skin or your last name is not white.

How do i find housing?

I still pay,EVERYDAY,for a beer run I did in 2023.was charged with an aggravated robbery for threatening the store clerk outside.wasn’t enough that I did 12years in TDC and completed my parole.I’m STILL punished for this everywhere I go.can’t even get CDL TRAINING right now because none of these schools will take me.Great video though.

I pray to the Lord every day and I'm stool struggling big time...i truly need help.

Good luck to all ex felons throughout the states. After all it is a life sentence in or out of jail, recidivism at it's finest smh... Is not easy.

you don't even have to be a convicted felon to deal with these issues

Preach it brother! Keep up the good work!

Thank You Harley

yeah im a entrepenuer and have been in real estate investing for several years and cant get lending due to having a prior drug conviction making it where i have to purchase the properties and rehab them out of my own pockets 100%.. i had a investigator plant drugs on me at 18 yrs old leaving me like all felons with no opportunity so you have to create the opportunity yourself and it becomes very slim i run my own business and have great credit and capitol but am being descriminated and denied lending due to the past felony and it becomes impossible

Something like this needs to be done in Scotland too

you can be determined to be the most productive person in society all you want but society don't want you if your a felon. my suggestion is lie tell nobody ur a felon cause soon as u do ur done. period. if u don't tell then they may still find out but if they don't check u might get by with it.

As a Peer Support Specialist, working with ex-felons with Substance Use Disorders, Housing is the one thing I get stuck on. So many apartments see "felony" (ESPECIALLY if it involves drugs) and throw the application away. Where are these people supposed to live? They aren't allowed to live outside the county. I must have called dozens of apartments. I'm still looking for solutions. I have 35-40 job openings for ex-felons on my list right now - three health clinics, and two or three dentists. Not one felon-friendly apartment, and only one felon-friendly landlord.

Going through this now & have been since 2016, got 2 more years to go and don’t know how I’m going to make it! 🙏🏽

What happens with people rejecting housing, rental or even purchase in the USA?

The AI binning algorithm has made it nearly impossible to get a job if it is a company hiring through them. Has gotten awful since the pandemic.

I see someone just like me. ❤️ ❤️ ❤️

Thank you

Going through this also. I think of it as a 10 year vacation. I will have the tax payer pay for my rent and my food until I am 55 when I'll be eligible for employment. US Army 2 KIA + 1 suicide = 4 x victimless DUI

He said $35 for a apartment application try 150-200$ here in Texas

Wow im trying to get this job at walmart and I have felonies. I hope you guys get blessed

I refuse to accept being a "Felon". I didn't do it. I never understand how people can do this stuff. I won't accept this fate. I will not go out and be a rehabilitated. I didn't do it! I want one thing, and that is to inflict revenge on those bastards who did this to me!!

How about housing you are basically on the street

This is my life thank you

Doesnt matter if your willing to work. If your a felon. Your done. It seems...

27 percent unemployment is where we are headed in the us with corona

INFO FOR US VIOLENT FELONS PLEASE THANK YOU AND GOD BLESS YOU

I’m a 26 year old ex felon and I feel like having a felony got me suicidal

In my personal opinion is not the prisoners you have to fear while in prison as much as the guards the guards especially the power Trip types...... That is if you're not in a high security prison if you're in a medium security you should probably worry about the guards more than the prisoners

Thank you!! 👏👏👏👏

I'm still suffering and I was convicted back in 04

Only thing left for felons is Anarchy

When he said Chatham county narcs I felt it

Addict's always ruin other people's lives. This makes me sick to my stomach hearing he went through this. Someone should've stepped in and took them in. Very sad indeed.

Im on home confinement and having a difficult time getting a decent job. I spent 3 years down over drug conspiracy. It’s hard out here