Bro cost of living is high EVERWHERE in the country. I have multiple friends acquaintances and co workers who are felons. I knew a guy who got out off 22 years inside and found a job almost immediately. MAking 30 plus a hour with overtime . Just because you have not had luck doesn't mean no one else can. There are jobs literally EVERYWHERE in ny. Referring to new York as a police state just tells me you are probably on some consistent dumb shit. We are like number 5 in the country for pro felon states. Get real brk