Anyone who’s searched for a job knows the feeling of disappointment when a potential employer doesn’t call.

It’s even harder for people who have a felony on their record.

“When you’re in a tough job market, jobs aren’t easy to come by anyway. That’s a kiss of death. You’re last on the list,” said Nick Baumgartner, an ex-offender who now runs a canvassing company in northeastern Kansas.

There were 8,891 people in prison in Kansas as of July, according to Kansas Department of Corrections. Each year, Kansas releases more than 6,500 offenders; an average of 426 will live in Shawnee County, according to DOC data. In Douglas County, 117 offenders were released on parole supervision as of Aug. 9.

Before prison, these individuals worked in various fields, some holding well-paying jobs. When they get out and find a job, it will likely be low-paying.

Baumgartner, for example, went from making $50,000 a year to $6.50 an hour after his felony conviction.

“I felt blessed to get that. That was all that was available,” said Baumgartner, who was convicted of felony eluding arrest.

The Shawnee County Re-entry Program – a DOC initiative that’s seen success in preparing inmates for re-entry into society – has been helping ex-offenders find jobs since its start in 2005.

The program offers intensive case management before release and after. Finding work for these people is important to their reintegration.

Douglas County may eventually have a prison re-entry program. Frances Breyne, DOC public information officer, said the hope is for every county to have one but the counties with the largest number of offenders, including Shawnee, are a priority. Sedgwick County is the only other county that has initiated a re-entry program, which began enrolling participants last year. Wyandotte County will be next to start a program.

Doors of opportunity close

The stereotype that comes along with being convicted of a felony is too difficult for some business owners to overcome, said Michelle Montgomery, program specialist with the re-entry program.

“I think it’s basically a stereotypical fear factor,” she said. “They haven’t met the person, they are looking at a piece of paper, a cold piece of paper, and it says they have a felony conviction. And it’s just easier to screen that person out.”

Latina Pittman, a Topeka resident who was convicted of manslaughter, had a different experience with employment. She didn’t have to search too long because she was given work release, and later was hired full-time. She would not say her job title or what state agency she works for.

Pittman said she has been the victim of discrimination and hurtful words by her co-workers because of her crime. “The only thing I can do is be who I am and stay out of their way as much as possible,” she said.

While she’s appreciative of her job and is happy there, she looks at her opportunities for career advancement with dismay.

“It’s like being stuck. It’s to the point that if I was to go to any state agency or go to a job I’m qualified for, I know I wouldn’t get it because of my crime,” she said.

Shutting the door on ex-offenders because of their criminal history is unfair, said David Proffitt, an ex-offender. He said a lot of criminals just don’t get caught, but continue to work and live in the community.

“If you are hiring someone off the street, it’s the same risk as if you were hiring someone who has a felony, except you know they might steal from you, but you got somebody to call if they do,” he said, meaning the parole officer.

Taking a chance

“Seven years ago, I was a junkie living in my car,” Proffitt said.

Now he’s the volunteer coordinator with the Topeka Rescue Mission and volunteers telling his story to inmates being released from prison. He credits the Rescue Mission with saving his life and his marriage.

Barry Feaker, the mission’s executive director, said employers who judge a person by only a piece of paper are taking the easy way out.

“If we didn’t give people a second chance, then what do they have to look forward to? If we don’t give people second chances, what are they going to turn out to be?” he said.

About 20 workers at the Rescue Mission have served time, Feaker said. That’s out of about 50 employees. Many of his workers were guests at the shelter, so Feaker has had the opportunity to get to know them before hiring them.

In 21 years, he said, he hasn’t been disappointed very often in an ex-offender employee.

“There’s been no more negative experiences in my situation with people who have been on the wrong side of the law and who have tried to make their life right than there have been with those who have never been on the wrong side of the law,” he said.

Ed Hyman Jr., another worker at the mission, uses the experiences from his criminal past in his job. Since January, Hyman has been driving the mission’s neighborhood watch van, which patrols north downtown Topeka.

“If more ex-cons see me and what I’m doing – staying in a positive light – then I may motivate them to do the same,” he said.

When asked why he hired Hyman, Feaker said, “he’s been there, done that,” and cites the insight he brings to the job.

“Ed’s been involved with gangs. He knows what a gang member looks like. He’s been involved in some of the things that are going on in the streets,” Feaker said.

As for Hyman?

“It gives me a sense of accomplishment. I’m doing something productive in the community now,” he said. “You know, it makes me work harder to want to do more. I have a desire to help others.”