Moses Leonard
Security vetting, the process of scrutinising a candidate’s background to assess their suitability for jobs that require access to sensitive information or positions of trust, has a profound influence on the job acquisition prospects of youth with criminal records.
This influence can be both positive and negative, reflecting a complex interplay of security concerns, social dynamics and the potential for rehabilitation. Namibia’s youth unemployment rate is believed to be at 48% as per the latest update by NSA. This represents quite a significant number of youths that are either graduated – but sitting at home due to reasons such as this, although some of them even went through the rehabilitation and reintegration processes as per the NCS Act. What should we do as a nation to address this elephant in the room?
Conversely, successfully passing security vetting can significantly enhance the employability of young people with criminal records.
It instils a sense of trustworthiness in potential employers, assuring them that the candidate has undergone a rigorous evaluation process and is fit for roles demanding a high degree of responsibility.
In industries mandated by law to conduct security vettings, such as government and defence, passing these checks can unlock job opportunities that may not be available otherwise.
Additionally, security vetting can pave the way for career advancement, opening doors to professions like law enforcement and cybersecurity, where a virgin background is a prerequisite.
In terms of our domestic law, the Criminal Procedure Act, Section 37, permits police officers to obtain fingerprints of anyone who is suspected of allegedly committing a particular crime. There is no specification in this clause to determine the types of crimes that are eligible for fingerprints to be taken. All sort of crimes falls under this clause, which qualifies for one fingerprint to be taken and stored in the database.
Challenges
For many youths with criminal records, security vetting poses a formidable challenge. It can limit their job prospects, stigmatise them and exacerbate the psychological distress that many of us are already going through. The extensive scrutiny and judgment involved in the process can contribute to stress and anxiety, affecting their overall well-being. It often leads to a limited pool of job opportunities. Many employers, particularly in the private sector, are wary of hiring individuals with any history of criminal activity, citing the reputation of the organisation.
Moreover, the process can stigmatise these candidates, making it challenging for them to break free from the shadow of their past mistakes and reintegrate into society. The psychological toll of scrutiny and judgment during the vetting process can result in stress and anxiety, affecting the overall well-being of these young job seekers.
Furthermore, the unavailability of employment due to security vetting can potentially push some individuals toward recidivism as they struggle to meet their basic needs.
Crimes arise as a consequence of the situation one finds him or self in, thus, the need to urgently tackle this matter.
Way forward
Security vetting employs a multifaceted influence on youth with criminal records. While it can enhance trustworthiness and provide access to specific job opportunities, it can also limit prospects, stigmatise candidates and contribute to psychological distress and recidivism.
Striking a balance between security concerns and providing opportunities for rehabilitation is essential to ensure that these young individuals have a fair chance at meaningful employment and successful reintegration into society.
In a country where job opportunity is already a conundrum, we, as a nation, cannot afford to have laws that victimise and exclude one sector of the nation.
It is, thus, incumbent upon us to make noise and let it be known by the legislator to come up with a law that will expunge certain crimes after a certain period or amend Section 37 of the Criminal Procedure Act 51 of 1977 for certain crimes to qualify to be thrown out of the database.
South Africa has an expungement law in place that allows individuals to apply for the expungement of the record after a certain period.
Sexual offences should, however, not be considered to be expunged. So, Namibia can also employ strategies that will make this call materialise.
This conversation should continue and allow the parliamentarians who are genuine about youth unemployment to come up with a bill that will support this noble call.
*Moses Leonard is a former security officer and a Member of Africa Advocacy for Penal Reform. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice in policing and a Postgraduate Diploma in Security and Strategic Studies. The views expressed here are entirely his own.