>>513353574
>They assume you went to prison
I don't think that is it there are cheap resources to get criminal records they can just look it up unless for whatever reason it wouldn't be on the books which I doubt.
>25 year gap
You can make up some BS if you got friends that will lie for you, unless the job in question needs some security clearance most regular jobs won't actually dig to deep into your past. Something that requires a bachelors might though. I had a online friend lie about me working for them for my own 5 year gap when I was NEET.