Implications of Security Vetting for Youth with Criminal Records

Security vetting has a profound influence on the job acquisition prospects of young Namibians with criminal records.

Security vetting is the scrutinising of a candidate’s background to assess their suitability for jobs that require access to sensitive information or positions of trust.

The influence it has can be both positive and negative, reflecting a complex interplay of security concerns, social dynamics, and the potential for rehabilitation.

Namibia’s youth unemployment is put at 48% by the latest Namibia Statistics Agency update.

This represents a significant number of youth, including graduates who find themselves sitting at home.

Then there are those youth who are walking the streets because of exclusionary reasons related to past mistakes despite some of them have been through rehabilitation and reintegration processes in terms of the Namibian Correctional Services Act.

What should we do as a nation to address this elephant in the room?

EMPLOYABILITY

Successfully passing security vetting can significantly enhance the employability of young people.

It instils a sense of trustworthiness among potential employers, assuring them that the candidate has undergone a rigorous evaluation process and is fit for roles demanding a high degree of responsibility.

Where security vetting is mandated by law – for example in the government and defence – passing these checks can unlock job opportunities that may not be otherwise available.

Security vetting can also pave the way for career advancement, opening doors to professions like law enforcement and cybersecurity, where a ‘virgin’ background is a prerequisite.

The Criminal Procedure Act (CPA) permits police officers to take the fingerprints of anyone suspected of allegedly committing a crime.

There is no specification in this clause to determine the types of crimes eligible for fingerprinting.

Literally, all manner of crimes fall under this clause, and all qualify for fingerprints to be taken and stored in a database.

CHALLENGES

Security vetting poses a formidable challenge for many youth with criminal records.

It can limit their job prospects, stigmatise them, and exacerbate the psychological distress many are already going through.

The extensive scrutiny and judgement involved in the process can contribute to stress and anxiety, affecting the person’s overall wellbeing.

More often than not it contributes 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 and make it difficult for them to break free from the shadow of their past mistakes and reintegrate into society.

The psychological toll of the vetting process can affect the overall well-being of these young job seekers.

Further, the unavailability of employment because of security vetting can potentially push some individuals toward recidivism as they struggle to meet their basic needs.

Sadly, in some cases it opens the door to crime because of the dire situation some find themselves in.

LEGISLATORS NEED TO ACT

Security vetting has a multifaceted influence on youth with criminal records. Striking a balance between security concerns and providing opportunities for rehabilitation is essential to ensure that these young individuals are given a a fair chance to be meaningfully employed and successfully reintegrated into society.

In a country where unemployment is sky-high, we as a nation cannot afford to have laws that victimise and exclude one sector of the country.

It is incumbent upon us to make a noise and let our legislators know they need to come up with a law that will expunge certain crimes after a certain period of time.

Our legislators also need to look at amending section 37 of the CPA to allow for certain crimes to qualify to be thrown out of the database.

South Africa has a law in place that allows individuals to apply for their records to be erased after a certain period of time.

However, sexual offences should not be considered for expungement.

Namibia would do well to employ strategies that will ensure that legislators get to grips with what is a pressing issue.

This conversation needs to continue. Importantly, it gives parliamentarians who are genuine about youth unemployment an opportunity to come up with legislation that will support this call.

• Moses Leonard, is a former security officer, a member of Africa Advocacy for Penal Reform, and has a Bachelor’s Degree in criminal justice in policing and a postgraduate diploma in security and strategic studies (Unam). The views expressed in this article entirely those of the author.

In an age of information overload, Sunrise is The Namibian’s morning briefing, delivered at 6h00 from Monday to Friday. It offers a curated rundown of the most important stories from the past 24 hours – occasionally with a light, witty touch. It’s an essential way to stay informed. Subscribe and join our newsletter community.