also: ぜんかもの
noun
ex-convict; former convict; person with a criminal record
Refers to someone who has a prior criminal conviction. Often carries a social stigma; used in legal, news, and everyday contexts.
彼は前科者だから、就職が難しい。
He has a criminal record, so finding a job is difficult.
前科者の社会復帰を支援する団体がある。
There are organizations that support the reintegration of ex-convicts into society.
Compound of 前科 (previous offense) + 者 (person). The reading ぜんかもの uses the native reading もの for 者, which is less common in modern standard Japanese.