Ex-Cons: Who Needs Them?

Who needs ex-cons back in our communities?  Many people think that anyone convicted of a crime should be locked up forever.  The prison industrial complex depends on  individuals being locked away.  The way the job market is today, anyone with a criminal background has a small chance of getting hired at many companies.  Even though such discrimination is against the law,  how can it be enforced?  Also, how would you know if your criminal record is being used against you when so many are applying for the same job opening? 
Who needs ex-cons back in our communities?   The companies advertising for various job openings don't need them.  As I previously stated those companies can find any kind of more perfect applicant so they do not have to accept ex-cons.  Your fast food restaurant,  your nursing home,  your day care, or your retail outlets are not looking for our ex-cons. 
Who needs ex-cons back in our communities?  All of the fatherless young men who have no direction ,or  who have no idea of how to be a responsible man.   These young men could learn so much from the knowledge and experience that our ex-cons have.  They need to know: 
 Going to prison is not a status symbol.
 Prison is not somewhere to be.
 Fathering children that they cannot or will not care for is not right.
 An education in today's world is a necessity.
 That they have a responsibility to themselves, their families and to the community to do the  best that they can.

Who else is better qualified to teach the above lessons to young men who lack guidance or proper direction?
We need to wake up as a community and realize that ex-cons who have rehabilitated themselves can offer much to all of us and to young men, in particular.  Instead we allow those released from prison or jail to keep paying for prior mistakes and, become bitter when all they want is a second chance.  Don't get me wrong, there are many men in the community without criminal records who need jobs.  They should get them.. However, we have to go with the resources that we have and use them well.  
Who need ex-cons back in our communities?  We all do.  They have something to contribute and we should be more than glad to let them.
Ex-felons, like the rest of us, need to think outside of the box and determine how they can turn a negative into a positive.  Some ex-burglars and ex-computer hackers have paid their debt to society and discovered how to make many from their prior experiences.  They act as consultants to help companies protect themselves from such criminal activity.  This formula can be adapted to other ex-criminals so that they can rebuild their lives and give back at the same time.  Schools should be willing  to make this happen, especially in light of the recent budget cuts to many schools.