Back to list

21 Valid Methods of Finding Jobs for Felons in Baton Rouge in 2023

By Last update February 9, 2023
Baton Rouge Louisiana city skyline

This article is aimed at people that are looking for jobs for felons in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Justice-involved folks have more challenges finding good jobs than most people. Don’t we know it. Many of the people on our Relaunch Pad team have been there. We want to give you the information and guidance to find the best job possible in Baton Rouge.

Our team has worked hard to gather information on over 1,000 US companies to find out what their hiring practices for former offenders are. We’ve also checked out the local employment market and picked out some companies you should look at. Examining not only their hiring practices, but also what entry-level jobs they offer as well as advancement opportunities.

Jobs that hire felons in Baton Rouge

Baton Rouge Louisiana cityscape

Baton Rouge is French for “Red Stick” and the city was named when French explorer Sieur d’Iberville spotted a cypress stick stained with blood of fish and animals on a Mississippi River bluff over 300 years ago. The red stick was a dividing line between the Bayougoula and Houma tribes’ hunting grounds. The Louisiana State Capitol in Baton Rouge is the tallest state capitol in the US (450 feet, 34 stories). Ancient Indian Mounds on the LSU campus are estimated to be around 6,000 years old, which is older than the Egyptian pyramids.

Economically, Baton Rouge’s largest industries are petrochemicals, transportation, manufacturing, construction, and food services. It is one of the largest deep-water ports in the US and serves large chemical and industrial complexes, and the ExxonMobil refinery is one of the nation’s largest refineries. There are many opportunities in the Greater Baton Rouge area, and you should be able to find a lot of different jobs available.

Don’t get overwhelmed with companies to look at for your job search. Focus on the best possibilities for jobs that hire felons in Baton Rouge by using our great job search tool. It will let you look for openings by industry, job title, company, and other filters.

Top companies that hire felons in Baton Rouge

Looking for a new job is always challenging, but if you are setting your sights too high, then it will be even more frustrating. The best way to get back into the job market is to look for entry-level jobs. They will always be the easiest jobs to get. Entry level roles have the lowest requirements and are typically more flexible towards people with criminal backgrounds because these roles are often in immediate need of filling.

If you need to find a job as quickly as possible, then a great option is temp and employment agency jobs for felons in Baton Rouge. These agencies know the local job market better than anyone, and they will have the most and newest job openings available. Temp and employment agencies are experts at matching people with jobs and even people that are in your situation.

The featured section of this article will provide you with a list of likely companies that hire felons in Baton Rouge. You can click on a link to go directly to that company’s section, or scroll down to continue reading the article and see all of them. The article will also have some additional guidance and sections on other types of good opportunities for you.

Jacobs

Baton Rouge Southern Railroad

BBQGuys

Community Coffee

Marucci Sports

Piccadilly Restaurants

Raising Cane’s

Turner Industries

L’Auberge Casino

Petroleum Service Corporation

When you go out looking for a new job, you need to make sure you have a solid resume prepared. We can also help you in this area with our excellent guide to making a resume for people with a record.

Jacobs

For something in engineer and construction, then take a look at Jacobs in Baton Rouge. They are a $13 billion professional services company that focuses on engineering and construction projects for technical, scientific, and construction organizations in the government and private sectors. Jacobs does have a number of lower level positions available. 

Some promising jobs for former felons:

  • Estimator
  • Mechanic
  • Operator
  • Customer Support
  • Maintenance

Baton Rouge Southern Railroad

If you are interested in trains or rail transportation, then you should check out the Baton Rouge Southern Railroad (BRS owned by WATCO). It was founded in 2008 and provides cars and transloading services to local businesses. BRS also serves as a switching and car storage facility for the Kansas City Southern, with a successful location close to the Port of Greater Baton Rouge.

Some good opportunities for justice-involved folks to look for:

  • Mechanical Maintenance
  • Welder
  • Conductor
  • Inspector
  • Production worker

BBQGuys

For the grillers and barbecue cooks out there, the BBQGuys is a barbecue grill retailer headquartered in Baton Rouge. They have some good jobs and are a solid local business. BBQGuys was awarded the Small Business of the Week by the US Senate Committee (2019). 

Some solid jobs for former felons:

  • Customer Service
  • Maintenance
  • Material Handler
  • Administrative Assistant
  • Janitorial

Community Coffee

Community Coffee is a coffee roaster and distributor based in Baton Rouge. It is one of the largest family-owned coffee brands in US (2005), controlling 52% of the market in South Louisiana and 72% in Baton Rouge. They employ 850 people and have markets in the Southeastern United States.

Great jobs for former felons:

  • Presell Delivery Driver
  • Direct Ship Fulfillment Representative
  • Customer care representative
  • Manufacturing Operator
  • Manufacturing Operator

Marucci Sports

For anyone into sports or sports equipment, Marucci Sports is a sports equipment manufacturing company that makes primarily baseball equipment (bats, balls, gloves, batting gloves, batting helmets, and chest protectors). They are based in Baton Rouge and Marucci bats were the most used in the MLB, with more than 40% of players (2020).

Promising jobs for former felons:

  • Inventory analyst
  • Marketing
  • Support Specialist
  • Warehouse Order Selector
  • Inside Sales Representative

Piccadilly Restaurants

Piccadilly Restaurants is a chain of cafeteria-style, casual dining restaurants with catering and meals-to-go in seven southeastern and Gulf Coast region states. Piccadilly also operates Piccadilly Emergency Services (provides meals in emergency and disaster settings) and Piccadilly Food Service (offers meals for schools, hospitals and government organizations).

Some great opportunities for former felons:

  • Assistant Cook
  • Assistant Manager
  • Cashier
  • Dishwasher
  • Facilities
  • Wait Staff

Raising Cane’s

If you love eating chicken or are looking for a flexible job in the fast-food area, then look at 

Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers. They are a fast-food chain specializing in chicken fingers and was founded in 1996 in Baton Rouge. The company is named after the company founder’s yellow Labrador Retriever.

Promising jobs for former felons:

  • Crew Member
  • Cashier
  • Cook
  • Customer service
  • Shift manager

Turner Industries

Turner Industries builds, maintains, and services the nation’s heavy industrial sector by supporting the companies that produce fuel, energy, and products. They have a number of different types of jobs in the construction, maintenance, fabrication, equipment, and specialty services areas.

Some good job opportunities for former felons:

  • Truck Driver
  • Boilermaker
  • Sales Support
  • Forklift Operator
  • Packaging Technician

L’Auberge Casino

For something in the casino and hotel industry, then check out L’Auberge Casino Hotel in Baton Rouge. They are a large hospitality company with 7,500 employees and an annual revenue of $30 million, headquartered in Baton Rouge. Their goal is to be a combination of uptown luxury and down-home comfort. 

Excellent openings for former felons to look for:

  • Steward
  • Groundskeeper
  • Slot Floor Person
  • Host/Cashier
  • Food Server

Petroleum Service Corporation

Petroleum Service Corporation provides product handling for the leading companies in the refining, chemical, and marine industries. They have over 3,500 employees working at more than 100 refineries, terminals, and chemical plants across the US. They are based in Baton Rouge and are a key player in the manufacturing industry.

Promising jobs for former felons:

  • Warehouse Technician
  • Chemical Plant Worker
  • Refinery Repair Technician
  • Operator
  • Petroleum Service Technician

Trucking jobs for felons in Baton Rouge

Truck driving is a great job for anyone that likes traveling and driving. The trucking industry is always looking for good truckers, and they also have a good history of giving justice-involved folks a second chance. Trucking is an in demand profession, and many trucking companies even offer signing bonuses and free training for new employees.

Below are a few companies to check out for trucking jobs for felons in Baton Rouge:

  • Dupre Transport LLC 
  • Miller Transporters Inc
  • Ergon Trucking Inc.
  • Cody’s Transporation Systems LLC
  • Turners Trucking & Transportation

Warehouse jobs for felons in Baton Rouge

Working in a warehouse can be a great way to get back into the working world. If you are looking for an opportunity in the logistics and shipping business, then look for warehouse jobs for felons in Baton Rouge. Most companies have warehouses to store their inventories, and they usually have an assortment of jobs and shifts to work.

Here are some of the top businesses to consider:

  • Wilson Warehouse
  • LLC Riverland Industries Warehouse
  • Comet Distribution Services
  • Sharp Station Warehouse
  • Agway Systems

Temp agency jobs for felons in Baton Rouge

Maybe you are looking to get a new job fast, then you should check out temp agency jobs for felons in Baton Rouge. Employment and temp agencies are in the business of having a lot of job listings, and they know how to help you find a job quickly. Temp and employment agencies are also familiar with finding jobs for justice involved people.

Here are some good agencies in the area:

  • AMMON Staffing
  • Westaff
  • Tiger Labor & Staffing Incorporated
  • Lofton Staffing Services
  • Labor Finders Baton Rouge

Second chance and job training programs for felons in Baton Rouge

Louisiana passed a Ban the Box law back in 2019 that prevents state government employers from asking job applicants about their past criminal history. It does not stop an employer from asking during an interview or doing a criminal background check.

For another source of support and assistance, you should look to the second chance and job training programs for felons in Baton Rouge and Louisiana. They can help with a wide variety of things including housing, food, medical, mental health, and more. Don’t struggle; if you need more help, reach out to these organizations.

Resources for former felons in Baton Rouge:

  • Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections
    • Mission: We achieve our vision through safe, secure prison operations and community correctional programs, development and implementation of effective criminal justice policies for Louisiana, and the provision of rehabilitative opportunities for our population that supports their successful transition into the community.
    • Services offered: Education, Employment, Family, Food, Housing, Medical, Mental Health, Spiritual Services
  • One Touch Ministry Reentry Housing Program
    • Mission: One Touch Ministry (OTM) is dedicated to the reduction of recidivism by providing housing, food, clothing, employment readiness and assistance, and counseling to recently released ex-offenders. As a faith-based, non-profit organization, we strive to ensure that ex-offenders who complete the program have all the tools necessary to become law-abiding and productive members of society, through spiritual guidance, education, life skills programming, and mental health counseling.
    • Services offered: Clothing and Household, Employment, Food, Housing, Mental Health, Spiritual
  • Community Health Insurance (CHI) Program
    • Mission: We are committed to building healthier communities and lives through advocacy, education, and outreach focused on helping individuals and families find the most accessible, affordable, and high-quality health insurance coverage.
    • Services offered: Medical, Reentry, Referrals
  • Total Community Action
    • Mission: Total Community Action’s mission is to reduce poverty in our community through Collaboration with other agencies by providing human services, experiences and opportunities that move persons from poverty to self-sufficiency.
    • Services offered: Family
  • Louisiana Center for Children’s Rights
    • Mission: Using direct representation and advocacy, we fight to keep children out of the justice system so that they can thrive in their homes and communities.
    • Services offered: Legal
Garland Brewster headshot

After a successful 25-year career in the IT industry, Garland is now a Reentry Educator with The Relaunchpad. He has significant experience writing documents (resumes, LinkedIn profiles, etc.) and advising job seekers. Garland shares his experience overcoming legal challenges to help others in similar circumstances move forward and find happiness and prosperity.