In the age of the internet, employers often search up candidates online. What do you do if the first thing that comes up is a news article featuring your mugshot? Uproute asked Unlock’s CEO Paula Harriott to help answer questions like this.

Even if there is no online record of your past, nearly three quarters of initial job application forms ask for information about criminal records according to Unlock.

You might think this problem is only faced by a small number of people.

However, as of 2024, 12.5 million people in the UK have a criminal record (Unlock) and this can cause huge problems when job hunting.

In the year up to March 2024, only 30% of prison leavers were employed 6 months after release (Ministry of Justice)

Meanwhile, figures show an average of 1070 people leave prison straight into homelessness every month (Nacro).

So what can you do if you have left prison or have a criminal record and are looking to build a new life?

Paula Harriott was released from prison in 2008. 

She now is the CEO of Unlock which provides advice for people leaving prison and leads campaigns to improve life for people with criminal records.

Uproute spoke with her to find the best path forward for people leaving prison and to see what needs to change.

Paula Harriott offered her advice which we have put together alongside online resources to answer questions someone leaving prison might have:

Q. What do I do if a job application asks about my criminal record?

You only have to disclose your record if an employer asks you, and Unlock advises you only disclose what is needed.

Paula Harriott said it is essential you don’t lie. However, she said it’s important to understand what information you are required to give: “You only legally have to disclose an unspent criminal conviction.”

Unspent convictions will appear in all levels of background checks while spent convictions will not appear in basic checks. Unlock has a calculator to determine whether your conviction is spent or unspent.

Q. How can I tell my story to an employer so they won’t dismiss my application?

Paula Harriott said: “We have something called case support. So you can phone Unlock and we will talk you through your disclosure statement. Our advisors will support you around the disclosure statement. So: How you would explain that [conviction]?. How would you put that into context? How would you assess your own risk? 

“So we’ve got some expert advice around disclosure on our helpline, which we get 10,000 calls a year.”

If you need to explain your story, Unlock advises you offer the names and contact details of people who can back you and your suitability for the job.

Q. Will I be able to open a bank account?

Paula Harriott said there a two main challenges prison leavers face when trying to open a bank account:

-No ID
-No Fixed Address

She said: “You may not have an ID, you may have lost all your ID, you may have never had it, you may have lost your passport, quite often people lose their accommodation and their possessions get chucked out.”

“So when you’re in prison, that’s what the resettlement team should be focussing on, making sure you’ve got the relevant ID in order to open a bank account, or trying to open a bank account for you whilst you’re in prison.“

Unlock recommends certain banks who are particularly friendly to prison leavers and help them to open an account.

Q. Will my conviction affect my ability to rent?

Paula Harriott said landlords and letting agencies will often run background checks on potential tenants and this can lead to challenges when renting.

Housing is covered by the same legislation as applying for jobs, so you only need to disclose unspent convictions if asked by the landlord.

Unlock says it is important to be honest here as failing to disclose information you were required to give may lead to eviction.

Landlords may also look you up on search engines or social media.

Paul Harriot said: “If your crime has been reported in the press, that will come up.”

Landlords can refuse to let to someone with a conviction, often due to insurance costs.

Q. What about getting a mortgage?

Unlock says mortgage companies usually do not check criminal records but may run a basic check which would cover any unspent convictions.

As with housing and job applications, you are required to answer any questions honestly.

Unlock says each mortgage lender will handle applicants with convictions differently.

Q. Can I still get insurance such as car insurance?

Paula Harriot said when you apply for insurance you need to declare unspent convictions and premiums will likely go up.
Unlock says some companies might only ask you to declare any motoring offences but you will usually be asked to declare all unspent convictions.

Q. How can I improve my chances of building a life when I leave prison?

Paula Harriott said:

“You have to be very proactive whilst you’re in prison. Very proactive in trying to make sure you take advantage of all the services that there are in the prison, like education [and] recovery. Take advantage of things that will equip you to survive outside of prison.

“So any courses there are in prison, take advantage of them if you can. Make sure you put yourself in line for anything that might be beneficial. And also be quite proactive about following up with the resettlement team about what you need rather than leaving it for somebody else.

“I think that’s a key lesson. Be proactive. And then make sure that you get the right advice, mentally prepare yourself for the difficulties that lie ahead. I think that’s really important.”

Q. What needs to change about the system to improve the lives of prison leavers and people with criminal records?

Unlock has taken on several campaigns for specific changes to the system to improve opportunities for prison leavers.

Paul Harriot said:

“Our campaigns are all about trying to change the system. Fair Checks is about stopping the exposure of individuals on their DBS checks forever.

“You know, there is a time when you say, OK, that’s in the past now and it’s firmly in the past. It can stay on the police national computer should we need to know about it, but it does not need to be disclosed on a DBS certificate any longer.

Currently, prison sentences over 4 years may never be considered ‘spent’.

“Ban the Box is about not asking people right at the very beginning, do they have a criminal record, but building up the knowledge and skills in HR to recognise and read and understand risk of employing people with criminal records.

“So encouraging people with criminal records to come into organisations and having hiring managers who understand how to manage the risk and we build more inclusive workplaces that recognise that somebody can go to prison at some point in their life, but they can come out and join society and contribute to the system such as myself. I was released from prison in 2008 and I’m the CEO of Unlock.

“And, you know, on that journey to being CEO, I’ve had to endure lots of negative press and trolling and negative attitudes. But it shows that it’s possible, doesn’t it?”

For more information and support, visit Unlock’s website or call their helpline on 01634 247350.