You have two routes of employment open to you, it seems.
1) Work for someone else.
2) Start your own business as a consultant and/or geek for hire.

Both have pitfalls and both have advantages.

For option 1, unless the terms of your probation require that you inform potential employers upfront, you might use a strategy of not revealing the convictions unless you are asked. Specifically, look for IT positions at universities, school districts, community colleges, or hospitals. These may not pay as much as other industries, but they will allow you to build your resume, obtain real-world experience, and then boot-strap your way into better positions. For now, avoid institutions which are *primarily* financial in nature. It's not fair that you should have to do so, but it's probably prudent.

Depending on the "gap" in your resume, it may be difficult to avoid a direct question about what you were doing from time X to time Y. Don't lie if you are asked directly. If you got your education in IT while incarcerated, explain that you specifically made decisions and pursued education so that you could change your life for the better. That's the point of rehabilitation, right? Some potential employers will understand, some won't - but keep trying.

There used to be a tax credit program and/or grants for businesses or organizations that would hire former convicts - I do not know if that program is still in effect, but if it is, and if you must reveal your status, then consider advocating that your employer might actually save money as well as giving you an opportunity to change your life. Be as informed as you can about what the advantages are to your potential employer.

For option 2, open your own business and operate out of your home (for now). It gives you certain tax advantages and also avoids certain questions. You have the potential to make a lucrative living for yourself. At the very least, you start building your resume with projects and experience. That's the upside. The downside is that your cash flow will not be predictable, that it may take some time to establish yourself, that you will have to contact places and sell them on the concept that hiring a consultant is more cost-effective than hiring someone full-time (in terms of fringe benefits and intangibles, it actually is). It may take 6 month to a year to build up your business to a point where is actually supports you. In the meanwhile, you may have to take part-time jobs during off hours in order to allow you to be available to potential clients wile still keeping yourself afloat, financially.

Since you have a criminal record, you can not be legally bonded. This means that your employer cannot insure your work.

If anything happened while you were on the job (not just theft, but anything), your employer would be completely responsible for the damages incurred.

According to this article, http://www.wikihow.com/Get-a-Job-with-a-Criminal-Record the only way for you to stay employed as an I.T. Tech is to employ yourself. This is a long, hard road in I.T. repairs, service, etc. However, if you're good and reliable, you'll find work.

There seems to be some barrier for you to get employed due to your past action, But why not just give yourself a job being self employed. If you are skilled in IT, start your own business. It would only need your talent as your capitalization. Simply be your own boss and instead of spending your time looking for a job use it to look for your customers. This is a dignified options for you, instead of walking around from office to office, hoping they would give you a chance. Take up the challenge and be the boss of your own business.