Criminal Record Information

You might wonder how having a criminal record could affect a possible career in the arts. Maybe you're thinking of doing some training but are reluctant to carry on without knowing if you'll ever be able to work in the cultural industries with a criminal record. Below you'll find some useful information on the subject, which might help you to make a decision.

How does it work?

Some of you will already be aware of the impact of having a criminal record while looking for employment, but here are some of the most important points.  

The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (ROA) 1974 sets out to help people who have been convicted of a criminal offence and who have since stayed on the right side of the law.

In general a person convicted of a criminal offence and who receives a sentence of no more than two and a half years in prison benefits from the Act if they are not convicted again during a specified period. This period is called the rehabilitation period.

The more severe the penalty, the longer the rehabilitation period. Once a rehabilitation period has expired and no further offending has taken place, a conviction is considered to be 'spent'.

Once a conviction has been spent, the convicted person does not have to reveal or admit its existence in most circumstances, including, for example, when applying for a job. Normally an employer cannot refuse to employ someone, or dismiss them, on the basis of a spent conviction.

If the conviction is unspent it is essential that you reveal it as it might affect the trust of your future employer.

Please contact NACRO or APEX for more information on the subject.

What about the arts?

Let's assume you have an unspent conviction and you feel very worried about the effect it might have on a possible career in the arts.

As in any other sector, a potential employer should focus on your abilities and skills, but will also have to take into consideration the nature of your conviction and its relevance to the job you're applying for. 

More than any other career, your talent and skills will be the most important factor. And as your conviction does not affect your ability to be a good actor or a great photographer it shouldn't affect your chances of being selected. A lot of ex-offenders are now working as professionals in the field regardless of their criminal record. Your biggest battle will be with the competition!

The situation gets more complicated if you are planning to get involved in any education work.

If, for example you finish drama school and have opportunities to take part in a drama workshop in a school, that could be a problem. Having a criminal record will seriously affect your potential to work in schools, as well as with young people and vulnerable adults. 

Most organisations run police checks through the Criminal Records Bureau and could decide you are not allowed to work in those settings. This largely depends on the type of conviction you have.

This is a very important matter to take into consideration. You might think that it doesn't really concern you because you're not interested in running arts workshops or anything similar. The reality is that a lot of artists find themselves involved in those activities, especially at the beginning of their career as this is sometimes an easier way to work in the arts and live off your passion.

Whatever your situation it is essential to reveal any criminal record to your future employer rather than taking risks which could affect your career in the long term.

If you need further information  contact some of the arts organisations working with ex-offenders in the Links section.