Policy Director Gives Senate Judiciary Testimony

June 6, 2017

Senate Judiciary

Re: HB 4065

Dear Committee Members:

My name is Allan Wachendorfer and I am the Director of Public Policy for the National Association of Social Workers in Michigan. There are over 24,000 licensed social workers in the state. I'm here today in support of the passage of HB 4065.

You might be asking “why do the social workers care about The Department of Corrections hiring formerly incarcerated people or people with criminal records?” One reason is because it impacts many of our clients and the other reason is because it impacts some of us directly. Reason one: As you know, there are many conversations going on right now about criminal justice reform and about improving behavioral health services in the state of Michigan. Both of those subjects intersect. A high percentage of people in jails and prisons have mental health and substance use disorders. For many of them they were the primary driver of how they became incarcerated; from untreated mental health and substance use disorders.

When they get out, they are still going to have those mental health and substance use disorders, they're still going to need to come to human service agencies and get services, they're still going to need help. More than likely, everyone who gets out of prison or jail will come into contact with a social worker. As social workers, one of the things we do to help people is break down barriers to success. Employability is a big barrier. If people cannot get hired because they have a criminal background the chances of them relapsing and recidivating increases dramatically. In the end, it makes our jobs easier if our clients have fewer barriers to becoming successful people. 4065 is an opportunity for the department of corrections to set an example, to lead the way in giving people a second chance.

Reason two: do you know what police, firefighters, doctors, and nurses all have in common? They all want to help people. That’s why they call them “the helping professions.” Many of you probably do what you do for the same reason. Do you want to know another group of people where this is a common attribute? Formerly incarcerated people and people in recovery. How do I know this? I know this because I am one of them. If you asked anybody here who’s testifying, they probably would say the same. They want to give back. I know a researcher who has interviewed hundreds of formerly incarcerated people. He is trying to determine what helps them become successful people. The common theme among them so far is many say they have a drive inside to “give back” to “help other people who are going through what they’ve been through.”  That is why I went into social work.

We have a fair number of social workers with criminal backgrounds who came to the social work profession for that reason. What better person is there to help others overcome adversity than those who have been there themselves? I'm a successful person. I have a bachelor’s degree from EMU, a master’s degree from the University of Michigan, I’m on the steering team for Nation Outside, I'm a licensed social worker, I teach at the University of Michigan, I'm the Director of Public Policy for the National Association of Social Workers in Michigan, I have a wife and 2 beautiful children. So I only have one question: Why would you stop me and people like me from interacting with people to show them there's a better way?