Two house bills were passed through the Missouri House of Representatives last year that would give felons a second chance at rehabilitation outside of a prison facility. Many individuals with arrest and conviction records face significant challenges when reintegrating into society, including barriers to employment and housing.
The bills were introduced to the legislature in an effort to reduce the prison sentences and increase the rehabilitation rates of non-violent drug offenders. These challenges are not unique to Missouri, as individuals with arrest and conviction records across the country encounter similar obstacles. The bills passed the House with the exception of one vote and were set to be heard in the Missouri Senate until the pandemic prevented lawmakers from convening.
House Bill 316 and the Second Chance Business Coalition
Currently, Missouri law prevents convicted felons from working in establishments that sell alcohol or lottery tickets. HB 316 would reverse this law, effectively creating more employment opportunities for non-violent drug offenders returning to society, and allowing employers in various industries to benefit from hiring these individuals. One of the biggest problems convicted felons face is the ability to find employment or housing post-conviction.
House Bill 316 aims to create pathways for individuals to earn a stable income and reintegrate into the workforce.
House Bill 504 and Second Chance Hiring
HB 504 will allow non-violent drug offenders to be eligible for parole after serving 10 years of their sentence. This initiative is designed to provide additional resources and support for non-violent drug offenders as they transition back into society. After serving 10 years in prison, non-violent drug offenders will go before a parole board used to determine if the offender will re-offend. If the parole board finds the offender eligible, the offender will be released back to society under the conditions set by the parole board.
Success Stories of Second Chance
Second chance hiring has proven to be a transformative force for both businesses and individuals with criminal records. Across the country, companies are recognizing the value of providing meaningful employment opportunities to people with conviction records, helping them reintegrate into the workforce and contribute to their communities. The Second Chance Business Coalition, a leading advocate for fair chance hiring, has played a pivotal role in promoting these practices and highlighting their benefits. According to a recent study by the coalition, 85% of business leaders report that individuals with criminal records perform as well as or better than employees without conviction records, underscoring the potential of this often-overlooked talent pool.
One standout example is the Dave’s Killer Bread Foundation, whose executive director, Genevieve Martin, has championed second chance hiring as a core part of the company’s mission. The foundation offers comprehensive support for individuals with criminal backgrounds, including job training, mentorship, and placement services. This commitment has led to a notable decrease in employee turnover and a boost in workforce engagement, demonstrating that investing in second chance employees can yield significant returns for businesses.
JPMorgan Chase is another leader in the movement, actively advancing second chance hiring initiatives. Under the guidance of CEO Jamie Dimon, the company has implemented robust programs to support the hiring and development of individuals with criminal records. JPMorgan Chase views second chance hiring not only as a moral responsibility but also as a smart business strategy that strengthens their workforce and drives economic growth.
The benefits of second chance hiring extend far beyond individual companies. By opening doors to employment for formerly incarcerated individuals, businesses help reduce recidivism rates and break the cycle of unemployment that often follows a felony conviction. Stable jobs provide a foundation for people with criminal records to rebuild their lives, support their families, and contribute to local economies. Moreover, fair chance hiring practices help level the playing field for candidates who face significant barriers due to their criminal backgrounds, ensuring that all qualified individuals have access to employment opportunities.
Small businesses and organizations are also seeing the advantages of hiring individuals with criminal records. Many report increased employee loyalty, lower turnover, and a more committed workforce. These success stories show that second chance hiring is not limited to large corporations—companies of all sizes can benefit from tapping into this motivated and resilient group of workers.
As more businesses join the Second Chance Business Coalition and adopt fair chance hiring practices, the movement continues to gain momentum. By embracing second chance hiring, companies are not only helping individuals with criminal records succeed—they are also strengthening their own organizations, supporting economic growth, and building stronger, more inclusive communities. The growing success of these initiatives signals a promising future for second chance employment and a more equitable job market for all.
Second Chances for Individuals with Criminal Records
Since the 1980s and ‘90s, Missourians have seen state lawmakers shift from policies like “Three Strikes, You’re Out” to the policies seen in House Bills 316 and 504. The shift in attitude toward convicted, non-violent drug offenders by lawmakers was spurred by a growing national concern about non-violent drug offenders serving lengthy prison sentences. Some Missourians express concern about the perceived hypocrisy behind the ability to legally purchase medical marijuana from a dispensary while other residents are serving lengthy prison sentences for possessing or selling marijuana.
The high cost of incarceration places a significant burden on the economy, with millions of dollars spent annually on the prison system.
The two pillars of our criminal justice system in the United States are punishment and rehabilitation. The goal of House Bills 316 and 504 is to recenter the focus in our criminal justice system to rehabilitation. Currently, 77 percent of released offenders are rearrested within five years of their release date. Proponents of HB 316 and 504 hope that by creating employment opportunities and releasing non-violent offenders, recidivism rates will decline. Nationally, our approach to reintroducing convicted felons into society is changing. Individuals with a criminal record face significant barriers to employment and reintegration, making successful reentry challenging. Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe reinstated the voting rights of 200,000 felons in 2016. In 2018, Florida voters passed a measure that allowed non-violent felons to register as voters. Anyone with further questions about the legal consequences of felonies, should call us right away.