Criminal record - USA

[CloaK]

This might not go well...


I worked in IT support (contracting) for about 10 years before getting caught up in some e-commerce with the US which went a little pear-shaped to say the least.

Anyway, I ended up doing 4.5 years in 9 different US prisons.

I've been back a few years now and have tried to keep busy mainly just doing some agency driving work.

I would love to get back into IT and have applied for a few positions but was turned down due to my US record, one actually stated that that was the sole reason, the other said I'd been out of the IT game for too long.

I have no UK convictions, never been arrested (apart from the American case) or even close. Everything is finished with my case.

Am I wasting my time by thinking I'll get an IT job again or should I just forget it?

Would be particularly interested in any recruitment agency's take.

Thanks

[CloaK]

davepoth said:

Are we talking state or federal prison? If state, which state(s)?

Federal. I did time in several states.

davepoth said:

Just out of interest, how obvious is it from a cursory Google that you were involved in what you were involved in?

Not really obvious but I'd rather be upfront with a prospective employer.

davepoth said:

Unlock have some info.

Yes, I've seen some of their stuff, however my sentence was longer than 30 months so as you say the act won't help in that respect.
I have quite a lengthy gap on my CV so even if there was no record of the case I still have the same issue.

citizensm1th said:

why are you even telling anyone? do u.s. criminal records show up on a uk crb check id be surprised if they did unless brit plod arrested you and you went through the british courts for deportation?.

The big gap on the CV is difficult to get around without lying and could open another can of worms and possibly leave me subject to criminal proceedings. I've had enough of that.

[CloaK]

citizensm1th said:

Cant help but feel your over thinking it(understandable with your past)plenty of people travel abroad for extended periods.

If a prospective employer doesn't ask don't volunteer the information im sure there are plenty of small to medium uk owned companies where you can restart your career path just stay away from industries that require disclosure due to uk law i.e. finance

I hear you.

It boils down again to the CV, I know I don't have to volunteer the information but its this big time gap, 3 years foolishly spent fighting extradition and the guts of 5 years in hotels manned by staff with guns and badges.

[CloaK]

NDA said:

Dare we ask what you did to get locked up?

If you were the PH shot-caller for the Woods I'd happily show you my papers so I could walk the yard.

This is actually what happens!

[CloaK]

Brother D said:

However if you are getting back into IT what type? It does move at a pretty rapid rate...

Nothing special, just 2nd line support/rollout work. I'm more of a people person than a techie. I did exec. level support for BP in London.

[CloaK]

Vaud said:

Can you re-train in the evenings?

PHP, web site management, etc? Start solo for SMEs who won't ask - you are their service provider?

Yes I could easily re-train days/nights if I found something viable. Anything involving programming is sadly a no for me, I had 3 years of that at Uni and just couldn't get to grips with it.

DCS01 said:

I don't want to put a dampener on things, but I take it you don't have US citizenship. Do you know if the Americans will even let you back in the country, with a history like you have.
I've not been so good myself and have had convictions in this country, so can sympathies with you.

Best of luck with both the job hunt and getting back to the US.

I'm not a US citizen, in fact I'd never been to the US until the Marshals came for me. I signed some papers with ICE before my repatriation agreeing not to come back until 10 years had lapsed although it's unlikely I'll ever go back/get to go back. Thanks for your post.

Mark-C said:

Sorry, I may have misread some of the above but are you looking at a job in the UK as a UK citizen? If so unless you are looking at SC or DV classified work then an employer may ask for your UK criminal record vis https://www.gov.uk/disclosure-barring-service-chec... and you can ask for one yourself for £26. Fairly sure that doesn't show up foreign convictions but probably worth the spend to see what a UK company would see.

You're still left with the CV gap of course but it's then down to you and how you feel about dealing with it.

Good luck. I've had a criminal conviction a long time ago and all is good now but it's hard work to get there.

Yes I'm looking at working in the UK. I applied for the disclosure and the conviction is listed, foreign jurisdiction. I think this may be because I applied for a treaty transfer to see out the remainder of my sentence in the UK which would also have meant less time to serve. It didn't turn out so good though as they took over two years to process it. In hindsight I shouldn't have bothered, it was a nightmare process to actually see the Judge and sign the papers.

Happy to see you made it good though.

TwigtheWonderkid said:

OP, try approaching some charities and offer to do unpaid IT work for them. If you can get work of that kind, it'll help balance up your previous misdemeanours when you apply for paid jobs. Plus it'll sharpen up your IT skills after your time away from the industry.

That's a good shout, I'll have a go.

jesta1865 said:

try contracting,
i know it's not really the same, but it may be the way for you to get a foot in the door somewhere and long term a permanent position.
i'm also self taught on virtulisation, Linux, Cisco routers etc. yes i am a geek

I'd be more than happy with a contract position as I know with my attitude it could lead to something permanent which is my wish.

I haven't tried the IT recruitment agencies yet, maybe it's fear of outright rejection perhaps but I'll need to do something soon.

Are there any recruitment consultants with an opinion on how that would go?

[CloaK]

Vaud said:

Yikes - you mean you were extradited? Must have been pretty scary.

The extradition process was probably a worse experience than the prison, well except Fresno.

If you ever find yourself presented with a US extradition warrant, IMO just go. I had a QC, junior counsel and two other lawyers on my case all to no avail.

[CloaK]

Well I bit the bullet and plucked up the courage to speak to a local IT recruitment agency, he appreciated my honesty and said it was 'a toughie' but he'd see what he could do. I sent him a little cover letter to try and clarify my situation. This is what I sent...



Thought I’d include a note with my CV expanding a little on what we spoke about. I’m well aware I’m in a very difficult situation but I feel I do have a lot to offer despite being out of IT professionally for a few years.

My IT career was cut short (hopefully temporarily) due to proceedings brought against me by the USA which I will happily expand upon if granted an informal chat or interview. I did end up with a record, though only in the USA. The case is finished and there are no further proceedings. This is the one and only time I’ve had a brush with the law.

I'm keen, hungry and I think I'm a super guy to work with. My attitude is great and I am probably more appreciative than your regular Joe.
I do however have this albatross of my case around my neck, I thought I'd be upfront about it first before anything happened. I'd hate to be working for a good company in a good job doing well without them knowing and for it to then come up.

Everything is done and dusted with my case which I would be happy to discuss at length. I'd just like to say that what happened to me was totally out of character and I feel I deserve a fresh chance.

The upside of it is possibly the fact that the first good job I'm offered I will take and probably be at that company for life as I would be reluctant to go through my case with a new employer.

I’m happily willing to start at the bottom again in any role.

You mentioned about specific IT skills that may help, any ideas which ones? I’d be happily to re-train for something or even go back to Uni if you thought that would improve my chances. As long as it doesn’t involve coding, had a lot of that Uni and couldn’t get to grips with it!

[CloaK]

CubanPete said:

Contracting for US government? Not allowed to talk about it?

LOL That's what my father told anyone who asked about me.

NB To all those who sent me PMs I've only just checked this PH account so apologies for not responding at the time. I have sent a reply to all of you today.

Thanks again.