Fifty-five year old Patrick Bailey has not committed a crime for 29 years. He has recently found himself back on the job ladder. He put his past behind him many years ago, and did not expect his past to still be a barrier to getting work.

However, having been given a sentence of over 2.5 years, he is obliged to disclose his conviction. The discrimination he has faced from employers has dented his confidence and put him off applying for jobs.

“I was put into care at the age of two as my parents couldn’t look after me. When I turned 15, I was told I had to go and live back with my dad even though I barely saw him when I was growing up. We didn’t get on and he was abusive towards me so I left home and ended up on the streets. I quickly fell into a life of crime.

My bad behaviour escalated through my late teens and resulted in me going in and out of borstals and prisons for the years that followed. After my last sentence for burglary when I was 25 years old, I decided to put my old life behind me and began looking for jobs. With no proper educational qualifications, I found jobs using my hands, as a window cleaner and landscape gardener, amongst other odd jobs.

Being employed kept me focused and away from crime and I managed to find sustained employment. However, just over a year ago, I was let down when a promise of work fell through and I started to look for work elsewhere.

I have been applying for lots of jobs where I have disclosed my record. I recently went for a job in the post office and as soon as I told the interviewer about my past, he closed up. He went through the motions but I could already tell the damage was done. Some interviewers have said they admire my honesty but then I have never heard back from them again.

Many jobs these days require a CRB check which is a real barrier for me. I know that once they see my record, no matter how long ago, I’ll be put to the bottom of the pile. I was about to apply for a meter reading job but I let it go when I found out I needed a CRB check.

From experience, most employers won’t give me a chance because of my past so when I find out that a CRB check is required for a job, I just screw up the application form and throw it in the bin.

I know my search for a job is made harder because I’m somewhat limited as to what I can apply for. When I left school I had no qualifications to speak of and I’m not getting any younger. When you get older, you can’t do the type of jobs you were able to do when you were twenty.”