Jewels, here is a real answer. Had a buddy run into this awhile back. Its called "Ban the box". Google it.
Quick summary: most companies in America refuse to hire anyone with a criminal history; especially felonies. So their so-called labor shortage is self imposed. It's not that they have shortage of workers ... its that they refuse to hire people who want to work. Because at some point in the past those workers had a legal issue.
According to my buddy, here is what typically goes on. Job applicants are forced to fill out an application online. The application process forces them to answer Yes or No as to whether they have ever been convicted of a crime. They are given very little or no opportunity to explain. Most people with a criminal history already know at that point that they have no chance at employment, so won't even finish the application process. Those that do finish are usually filtered out (i.e.removed) by the software which is used to screen the applicants. In other words the HR department is never even notified that the person has applied and they are never considered for the position they applied for or any other position either.
So your proposed solution would be something like: remove all questions about criminal history from the application process; then spread the word with the department of corrections, probation office, etc that the company in question is willing to hire ex-offenders. Applicants will probably go up by 200-500%. Problem solved.
Here is a blog post with a video which describes the issue and "ban the box":
http://spectrumresourcesdsm.org/blog/?page_id=3013
Hope this helps a bit.