The job fair will provide employers access to around 800 job seekers with criminal backgrounds who have gone through a fairly significant vetting process in order to participate.

In order to ensure that only approved job-seekers show up at the job fair, the location is not being advertised. Once an employer expresses interest in participating, they will be given the location. This flyer has more information about the job fair.

Dr. Ilarraza makes a pretty compelling argument for why employers should seek ways to help former offenders reintegrate into society. For example, did you know that every year, 6,000 state and federal inmates are released into Tarrant County and that two-thirds of them will be re-incarcerated within three years? That means 4,000 more crime victims in Tarrant County, significant expense in law enforcement, jails, and courts, and so many more broken families.

If it is appropriate for your organization, I hope to see you at the job fair. If this isn't a good fit for your company, I hope you'll still listen to the podcast and learn more about this issue that affects all of us.

EDIT: As of 08/12/2008, registrations are still be accepted.  Register at http://mchra.jobing.com/jobfair.  Also, the transcript of this podcast can be found here.

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