New chances for thief, bus driver with misdemeanor.(Knight Ridder Newspapers)

Dear Amy:

I am incarcerated in Texas. I am not locked up because of drugs, alcohol or assaults; I am a petty thief. I have extensive computer skills and knowledge, especially in Web design. I also have experience in management and phone systems repair and installation. Are there companies that are willing to overlook my past mistakes? Is there funding available to start my own business? I do not want to come back to prison.

_J.B.

Dear J.B.:

You're on the right track. By planning your career path now, you can smooth out a few of the obstacles you'll encounter after your release.

Here's a question for you: What do you mean by "petty thief"? Did you steal for a particular purpose, or are you attracted to other people's things by habit or compulsion? You do not want to place yourself in a position where you will be tempted to steal again. Only you know what your temptations are, but a couple of danger spots I see are a Web master position where you have access to credit-card information or a job installing telephones in private homes.

Of course, these are moot points unless you can persuade an employer to trust you. My advice is to focus on the phone systems work first. Employers in the trades may be more willing to take you on your merit, since your work can be closely supervised and evaluated and you can be bonded by an insurance company. Also, I have more faith in the long-term stability of wages and employment in this field, something you will need as you get your feet on the ground again.