Bearing the Mantle of a Criminal Record
If a person has never experienced the need to undergo a criminal record check – is gainfully employed, has no need to get a loan, isn’t trying to rent accommodation, has no need or desire to work or volunteer with children’s schools or athletic functions, isn’t applying for a promotion, has no wish to travel to the United States …. Suddenly, all these conditions and others could become significant if circumstances change; and this is what life is all about.
Anyone with a criminal record who has not felt the need to enlist pardon services in order to have that record removed, the fact that it exists and could possibly be discovered by relatives, coworkers, friends, or employers takes its toll. Even though this aspect might not be consciously recognized, overt symptoms can and will develop. On occasion, we all experience anger, stress, or depression, not understanding the cause. And when we don’t attend to matters that dwell in the backs of our minds that we know we should take care of, they can affect our well-being.
Understanding anger is important. This is the first step in anger management. You should know that anger rises within you when you feel incapable of doing certain things. Anger can manifest itself in forms such as self-pity, depression, or rage and needs to be dealt with.
Understanding stress is important. Stress can be either positive or negative; for example, stress experienced while preparing for a job interview or a stage performance will heighten the senses in order to perform well. However, negative stress, experienced for example during bereavement, demanding work conditions, or family strife, produces negative feelings like anger and frustration, leading to physical problems such as headaches, insomnia, or stomach upset.
Understanding depression is important. Life is full of situations that cause stress. When you are having difficulty dealing with a source of stress, you may have situational depression, which is an emotional event. The most common symptoms are fear, sadness, and hopelessness and usually disappear after you adapt. But symptoms of major depression can sometimes last much longer and need the help of a health professional.
Having a criminal record is a state much like a “life sentence”: a criminal record is a summary of an individual’s contacts with law enforcement computerized in the database of the Canadian Police Information Centre (CPIC). Regardless of the type of offence, it will follow a person for the rest of his life unless he takes that all-important first step to remove his record through applying for a pardon.
Most Canadian criminal records can be removed with a pardon (record suspension), ensuring that all of a person’s criminal records and charges are separated from other personal records and rendered inaccessible. Pardon Services Canada’s role and familiarity with the pardon process will ensure that all documents required are obtained in a timely manner and that each applicant’s case is handled expeditiously. Contact a Client Specialist at Pardon Services Canada to guide you through the process.
