The document discusses the author's experience as an ex-offender who struggles to find employment due to background checks, which he believes lobbying from background check companies and private prisons has promoted. The author expresses how finding faith led him to turn his life around in prison and college, but he continues to be denied jobs. He questions the research behind blanket background check policies and hopes bringing more attention to the issue could lead to reform that gives reformed individuals a second chance.

1. Every Saint has a Past and every Sinner has a Future!
December 20, 2016
Anthony Woods Brown Image (Justice Tempered by Mercy – Statue located in the Courtyard
of the Law School)
If I were to make a wild accusation, it would be that there is a correlation between
background check companies and private prisons. It would follow that lobbyists
would fight for laws and policies in favor of the two entities. Or maybe it is not a
wild accusation, but that I hit the nail on the head. Therefore, I urge whoever reads
this that has the resources to search the matter and plug in the sources in hopes that

2. it will give this theory credibility. It is my hopes that this postwill catch a student’s
attention at a university that wants to do a research project. It would be a great
hypothesis. Don’t thank me, but I thank you for taking on the task.
The issue of background checks came in my purview because I am an ex-offender.
Matter of fact, a criminologist may have termed me a career criminal. That would
be an inaccurate label, for I do not practice criminal acts anymore. The story about
this change is in a little booklet I wrote entitled “A Changed Man” by Tony
Brown. Indeed, I have not gotten charged with a crime since 2009. What caused
the change after a life of crime? I met Jesus in a confinement cell. When I realized
that I was forgiven by God Himself a joy came over me that empowered me to
want to do right. During the rest of my incarceration, I went to the chapel quite
often, completed a faith base program, completed vocational certifications in legal
assistance, holterculture, and PC support. In addition, I took other classes to better
myself. My dad told me on one of my earlier commitments that what I did on the
inside reflected what I would do on the outside.
Upon release in 2013, I continued this path, joined the local church, wrote a book,
and started college. The first time that I got turned down for a job was when I
applied to do janitorial work. The day I was supposedto start I was informed that
my background prevented me. This would be a reoccurring event. Surprisingly to

3. me, I excelled in college making the President’s list a few times. This caused me to
be inducted into an honor society. Moreover, I began to volunteer in hopes of
planning good seeds and making a new record. Due to my prison job of a law
clerk, I became proficient with admin type skills, among other things. Therefore, I
sought out jobs that I knew I was competent, to no avail, for the background check
issue kept showing its face. A lot of times, hiring managers would go to bat for me,
for he or she felt I was a good fit for the company. In the end, I was once again
turned down. My criminal record does not contain sex charges or any conviction
for first degree offenses. Ironically, I am providing job security for the workers for
background check companies becauseI continue to apply.
One of the most surprising things to me was I found this same attitude in some jobs
I applied for a job within a couple of ministries where I was asked to take a
background check. The story was the same. However, the Bible that I read does not
teach such practices and the last I checked there was a separation between church
and state. Hence, for the Christian and the ones who hold such policies I present
the following argument. In 1 Corinthians, we see Paul admonish the Corinthians to
expel the sinner out of the church where the Corinthians believed they were acting
in love by tolerating his sinful deeds. But Paul pointed out that they were not
acting in love, but in pride. Therefore, Paul stated in 1 Corinthians 5:5 KJV "...To
deliver sucha one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be

4. saved in the day of the Lord Jesus." The Corinthians kicked the guy out of the
church (church discipline). Because of his deeds and Paul's admonishment they
now believed they were doing the right thing and they did not want to let him back
in the church because of his pastacts. Imagine what the Corinthian church might
have been saying, "oh we cannot let such a personwho done such and such back in
here." That is why Paul had to step in again in 2 Corinthians 2:7 ESV to direct the
people and teach them another principle concerning the repentant sinner "...[] you
should rather turn to forgive and comfort him. Otherwise discouragementmay
overcome him," we see Paul encouraging the Corinthians to forgive and comfort
the now REPENTANT sinner.
Here it is now going into a new year (2017), and I face the same challenges. The
fact that I believe in Jesus, and I know He keeps me has kept me from being totally
discouraged. ForI have hope, a doorwill open. One of the things I am grateful for
is a mind that thinks outside of the box. Which led me to ponder the underlying
impetus in such a popular policy. Keeping an open mind, I could see a viable cause
to invoke such a policy. However, I am not fully persuaded that the research and
statistics that were reported depict an accurate finding in hiring persons with
background checks, in light of variables. Furthermore, I will not present a
persuasive argument to supportwhy there should be an overhaul of the background

5. check policy. If this theory proves correctthe mere essence of malicious greed
would be exposed and hopefully there will be a change.
Check out my blog http://www.anthonywbrown.com/