Joining with a Criminal Record

[LeviRoopchand]

Hello. My name is Levi Roopchand. I am a Trinidadian national currently residing in Scranton Pennsylvania. I have just been released from a seven year stint in federal prison. During that time I conducted extensive research on Free Masonry and I would love the opportunity to further my education and eventually be accepted into a lodge. I am 33 years old and I have made up my mind to turn my life around and be the best man that I can be. I believe Free Masonry can help me realize my full potential. I recently applied to the Grand Lodge in Pennsylvania and was rejected due to my background check. I applied to the Sovereign Grand Lodge of Egypt about four months ago online in the hopes that they may not worry too much about my criminal background but I still haven’t gotten a response. Is there anything you can tell me that can point me in the right direction? Any help at all would be greatly appreciated. Thank you for your time.

 

[Pscyclepath]

A criminal record showing conviction of a felony usually results in the investigating committee reporting "unfavorable" on a candidates petition for the symbolic degrees of freemasonry. We're a fraternity based on a great deal of trust in one another, and not a recovery or rehabilitative organization as such. It is possible to be accepted with such a background, but it's a long and very difficult task, usually depending on just what the candidate was convicted of, whether they have completed all of their sentence and correctional rehabilitation, and have a strong demonstration of a definite return to good citizenship. Every member of the lodge is required to vote on the acceptance of a petition, and in many jurisdictions, it only takes a single vote to reject.

 

[MarkR]

While there are some jurisdictions in which a prior felony is not automatically disqualifying, leaving the final decision to the individual lodges, I'm fairly comfortable in saying that they would want, at a minimum, quite a few years to have elapsed before you'd even be considered. Even then, it would depend on the nature of the felony. Some would likely be permanently disqualifying.

You don't say what felony you were convicted of, but seven years in federal prison indicates that it was of a significant nature. As far as applying in other countries, most jurisdictions require you to be a resident to even consider your petition.

 

[Glen Cook]

The Sovereign Grand Lodge of Egypt is not a regular grand lodge.

i join in the other comments.

You need to be off paper. It appears you are still on parole, and then you are subject to deportation. it would be most unlikely to admit a member on parole. You are not a free man, the government is still punishing you, and you could return to prison. .

Perhaps wait till you return to Hati, as you are subject to deportation.

 

[Mike Martin]

So Levi, I would just add that you don't need to become a Freemason to turn your life around and in fact you will need to do that to stand any chance of becoming a Freemason.

When you return to T&T you will need to focus all your energy on helping people there and doing so within the bounds of the Law. Maybe in 10 - 15 years of doing good work in the community a Lodge might consider you to have changed.

 

[LeviRoopchand]

The Sovereign Grand Lodge of Egypt is not a regular grand lodge.

i join in the other comments.

You need to be off paper. It appears you are still on parole, and then you are subject to deportation. it would be most unlikely to admit a member on parole. You are not a free man, the government is still punishing you, and you could return to prison. .

Perhaps wait till you return to Hati, as you are subject to deportation.

I am on probation for at least another 2-3 years. Then possible deportation to Trinidad and Tobago. I currently have no immigration detainer and am allowed to participate in reentry programs which would imply that my deportation isn’t imminent, but I understand where you are coming from. Thank you for your time and advice.

 

[LeviRoopchand]

While there are some jurisdictions in which a prior felony is not automatically disqualifying, leaving the final decision to the individual lodges, I'm fairly comfortable in saying that they would want, at a minimum, quite a few years to have elapsed before you'd even be considered. Even then, it would depend on the nature of the felony. Some would likely be permanently disqualifying.

You don't say what felony you were convicted of, but seven years in federal prison indicates that it was of a significant nature. As far as applying in other countries, most jurisdictions require you to be a resident to even consider your petition.

I was sentenced to 120 months for Conspiracy to possess and distribute Methamphetamine 500 grams or more. I was young and dumb and allowed a handful of drugs to derail my life but not thinking about the consequences of my actions. Good behavior and participation in rehabilitative programs allowed me to be released in seven and a half years to a halfway house. I understand that I am still being punished and viewed as an inmate in the eyes of the law and most of society. Thank you for your time and advice.

 

[MarkR]

I sincerely wish you good luck in rehabilitating your life.

 

[Khalifa]

Find your passion and establish a legal and legitimate business out of it. You don’t need others' approvals but just for them to be there for you.

Starting from zero ground can be daunting, but many successful entrepreneurs began this way. Focus on identifying a real need or problem and how your passion can address it.

Remember, success isn't only measured by financial gain but by the fulfillment and impact you create. Surround yourself with supportive people who believe in your dreams, don’t give up, and never stop learning and growing.

 

[Bloke]

Find your passion and establish a legal and legitimate business out of it. You don’t need others' approvals but just for them to be there for you.

Starting from zero ground can be daunting, but many successful entrepreneurs began this way. Focus on identifying a real need or problem and how your passion can address it.

Remember, success isn't only measured by financial gain but by the fulfillment and impact you create. Surround yourself with supportive people who believe in your dreams, don’t give up, and never stop learning and growing.

That's a strange message..

 

[Winter]

That's a strange message..

I was thinking the same thing. A non Mason replying to someone rejected from petitioning for their criminal record to encourage them to be an entrepreneur? Just odd.