Finding work is one of the single most important factors in preventing recidivism among ex-cons, according to Jacksonville's Department of Corrections.

Jobs can be difficult to come by for the more than 50,000 offenders being released from jail cells in Jacksonville each year. Recently, the DOC has begun surveying businesses, asking if they would hire a person who's spent time in jail.

Jill Dyer is the owner of 3 Lions Gifts in San Marco. She told Channel 4 that her mind was made up about hiring ex-cons.

"No. I would never hire anyone that had a criminal past," Dyer said.

The business owner said those who have served time do deserve second chances but not at her store.

"It would be a temptation to them if they were into stealing of any sort. Of course, armed robbery or guns or anything like that -- there's no way I'd put my employees or myself or my customers in that position," Dyer explained.

Kathy Snowden, who works just a few doors down from Dyer at Reve Fashion Boutique, said she feels the same way.

"Not a good idea. I don't know, there's a lot of trust issues in owning a business, making sure you can trust your employees with your clientele and your finances and inventory so that's already an issue. If they're an ex-con, I'd be definitely worried about trusting them," Snowden said.

The sheriff's office said responses like those of Dyer and Snowden are what it expects to get from a telephone survey of Jacksonville businesses. The sheriff's office said the survey would help get a feel for just how open-minded people are to hiring former offenders.

"We've seen the answer in America, and that's been 'No,'" said Kevin Gay, executive director of Jacksonville's Ready4Work program.

The Ready4Work program has received national attention and has helped ex-offenders in the Jacksonville find work.

Gay said the word no is what many ex-cons hear when they try to get a job. However, he said that is changing in Jacksonville.

According to Gay, 110 business in the city say yes to employing past offenders. He said that's because they match ex-cons with the jobs they're best suited for and teach them the skills they need to keep employers happy.

"We've gone to employers and said, 'How can we make it easy for you?' We've done background tests. We've done tape testing, behavior testing, aptitude and drug testing," Gay said.

Nonetheless, he said there are still not enough job openings and businesses willing to give ex-cons a second chance, which Gay said could ultimately curb crime.

"It is the best crime-prevention tool we have in Jacksonville and in America," said Gay.

The survey is expected to take a few weeks to complete. After the survey is finished, DOC works said they would go to different businesses to tell employers about the benefits about hiring ex-cons, including tax incentives.