St. Louis, MO (KTRS)  A new policy called “Ban the Box” is in place to help those with a criminal record have an easier time of getting a job in the state of Missouri.

On Monday afternoon, Governor Jay Nixon visited the St. Louis Agency On Training and Employment, where he signed an executive order on this action. The Governor’s executive order directs all departments, boards, and commissions under the executive branch to remove questions about criminal history from initial job applications.

“This is quite frankly about fairness. Giving folks a fair chance to redeem their lives and support their families and make a contribution to their communities is a value we share as Missourians and Americans.” said Nixon.

Senator Jamilah Nasheed applauds this action. “All to often we have young men and young women, they come out after paying their debts to society. They knock on the doors of opportunities and the doors are slammed in their faces each and every day because they walk near that door with the stigma of being an ex-felon.”

The unemployment rate for Missourians on parole was 44% in 2015 according to the Missouri Department of Corrections. Ban the Box policies have been implemented in 21 states.