Obtaining Employment Prevents Crime

According to the Sentencing Project, 60 percent of individuals are unemployed within one year of release from prison, and those who do find jobs take home 40 percent less than everyone else in annual pay. These statistics are especially startling if you look at them in conjunction with another study conducted by Redemption Bridge, which demonstrates that 66 percent of released convicts are arrested again within three years. However, that same study demonstrated that those that found employment were 10 times less likely to be rearrested. In other words, the ability for those with a criminal record to find employment is key to preventing engagement in additional criminal activities.

Is It Prejudice, Cost, Or Both?

While, obviously, if employment is a key barrier, the problem starts at the job application stage. However, many might be surprised to find out that not only do many employers screen for criminal records, 55 percent ask about an applicant’s criminal history during the interview process itself, with only 10 percent deciding to wait to ask until after making an offer to the applicant.

In fact, many employers automatically place applicants who check a box implying that they have a record in a separate “rejection” pile, leaving absolutely no opportunity for an applicant to qualify or explain what happened, or even differentiate between a misdemeanor and a violent crime. This is where the uphill battle begins; as well as the launch into recidivism and life of poverty.

Why do so many employers refuse to delve deeper into these applicants? According to Forbes, it has to do with the cost of diving deeper, where spending $8-$18 per applicant is characterized as “onerous.” Arguably, it also has to do with cultural bias and assuming that workers with a criminal record are non-hirable; even if the “crime” involves marijuana, which is no longer a crime under some state laws.

Solutions?

Forbes recommends that employers do more to “calibrate criminality” and assess the degree of the crime, as it relates to the employment, during the application process (thus allowing for excusing minor crimes and misdemeanors, such as marijuana-related arrests). The article suggests that this can be done via advancements in hiring and screening technology, and adding follow-up questions; all relatively cheaply. Passing federal legislation to “ban the box” would also be very helpful.

However, it is important to note that states like New York are already taking things into their own hands, and passing laws which allow certain individuals to simply get their criminal records sealed so that employers cannot view them. 

New York Attorneys Working To Get Criminal Records Sealed

If you live in New York, there is absolutely no excuse not to get your record of conviction sealed and give yourself a chance when it comes to the employment process. Contact Levy & Rizzo, LLC, The Clean Slate Attorneys today for a free consultation to find out how we can help.

Resource:

forbes.com/sites/aakashkumar/2018/03/31/a-potential-solution-to-crime-and-poverty-hiring-more-criminals/#5bdfd88b207b

Rep. Doug Collins recently introduced the Prison Reform and Redemption Act, which seeks to reduce the risk that prisoners will recidivate upon release from prison by helping ex-offenders find employment. Specifically, the bill directs the Federal Bureau of Prisons to assess each inmate’s risk of reoffending and provide customized resources to meet their needs. Some of these resources include educational support, mental health care, substance abuse rehabilitation, vocational skills development, and other essential services.

Employment Is Key to Reducing Recidivism

Statistics have shown that the best way to prevent recidivism is employment, and the best way that ex-offenders can obtain employment is by getting their records sealed and/or getting potential employers and other members of the community (non-profit organizations, private companies, etc.) to offer some of the rehabilitation or vocational training resources. Thus, in addition to taking advantage of state record sealing programs, incentives must be provided to companies, nonprofits, and others who serve the community to help ex-offenders reintegrate into society and find employment.

Ex-Offenders Also Need Identification for A Fresh Start

This also applies to the ability for ex-offenders to obtain identification documents, such as a driver’s license. This documentation is often a prerequisite to employment, and thus criminal record sealing and associated programs must also help ex-offenders obtain the identification they need to apply for jobs, thus decreasing the chances of recidivism.

Still Much Left for States to Do

An estimated one in three American adults has a criminal record, with an additional 2.3 million currently incarcerated here. Over 95 percent of those who have a record will reenter society, and will thus need a way to support themselves by getting employed. Still, a federal bill like the one proposed only stands to benefit approximately 200,000 federal prisoners, indicating that the states must take additional action to help ex-offenders become productive members of society.

If You Live In New York, Get Your Record Sealed

If you live in New York and have a criminal record, there is simply no excuse not to take advantage of the opportunity the state has provided and live your life without the obstacles that having a criminal record presents. Contact Levy & Rizzo, LLC, The Clean Slate Attorneys today to help get you started with a clean slate; our office is in Bronx, and we serve clients throughout New York.

Resource:

forbes.com/sites/jaredmeyer/2018/03/19/congress-can-promote-work-over-crime-for-ex-cons/2/#17279e4e65b3

In this endeavor, businesses, states, and local governments have a large role to play. These discriminatory effects come in many forms: While some are codified into laws and regulations that bar those with criminal records from working in certain professions, others occur on a more case-by-case basis, when an employer tosses a resume in the garbage if an applicant reveals their criminal history.

Discrimination from Employers, Local Governments, and States

States and local governments are often the ones placing limitations and barring those formerly incarcerated from obtaining particular jobs and/or professional licenses (even though one in three jobs mandates having a professional license in the U.S. today), while employers relying on biometric information to judge job applicants are arguably doing even more damage. This information—often conveyed simply through name-based background checks or fingerprints—frequently fails to reflect updated, accurate, complete information, as well as mitigating factors, such as whether the offense was committed many years ago. Many employers also fail to realize that statistics have shown that over time, the chances of re-offending decrease significantly.

One-Third of All Americans Affected

Many would be surprised to find that this applies to nearly one in every three Americans. Indeed, one-third of all Americans have some kind of criminal record, and nearly 95 percent of all who are once incarcerated—i.e. 2.2 million people—will eventually be released, needing to support themselves and reintegrate into society as a contributing member.

A Vicious Cycle Created

Still, a vicious cycle seems to be unavoidable because of the well-embedded discrimination faced: nearly 60 percent of those released are still unemployed after one year, and those who were employed are paid an average 40 percent less than those working in the same job, but without a criminal record. This is a dire reality, as being able to obtain and keep a job is one of the top ways of preventing recidivism.

Hope?

In addition to more and more states like New York allowing those convicted of certain crimes to get their records sealed or expunged so that they can apply for jobs without facing this discrimination, data has also been assembled demonstrating the value that those previously incarcerated contribute to the workforce, which is encouraging. Some of this data demonstrates that those previously convicted of a crime were slightly more productive than those with no criminal record whatsoever. 

Help Getting Your Record Sealed In New York

No one should be punished via under or unemployment after they’ve already served time for committing a crime. Fortunately, states like New York offer a chance to get your record sealed or expunged for certain convictions. To obtain additional information, contact Levy & Rizzo, LLC, The Clean Slate Attorneys for a free consultation.

Resource:

insidesources.com/challenging-life-sentence-unemployment-upon-re-entry/