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Race Crime and the Maze of Employment in the Era of Mass Incarceration

Rod Ward

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Published in Marked: Race Crime And Finding Work In An Era Of Mass Incarceration

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In 2010, the United States had the highest incarceration rate in the world, with over 2.3 million people behind bars. This staggering number disproportionately affects communities of color, with African Americans making up 34% of the prison population despite only comprising 13% of the U.S. population.

The consequences of mass incarceration extend far beyond the prison walls. One of the most significant challenges faced by formerly incarcerated individuals is finding work. In an era where employers routinely conduct criminal background checks, a criminal record can be an insurmountable barrier to employment.

Marked: Race, Crime, and Finding Work in an Era of Mass Incarceration

by Devah Pager

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The Impact of Race on Employment Outcomes

The impact of race on employment outcomes is undeniable. Studies have consistently shown that African American and Latino job seekers are less likely to be hired than white job seekers with similar qualifications, even when they have no criminal record.

This disparity is even more pronounced for formerly incarcerated individuals. A study by the Sentencing Project found that African Americans with a criminal record are less than half as likely to be hired as white job seekers with no criminal record.

Barriers to Employment for Formerly Incarcerated Individuals

There are a number of factors that contribute to the high unemployment rate among formerly incarcerated individuals. These include:

Criminal background checks: As mentioned above, employers routinely conduct criminal background checks, and a criminal record can be an automatic disqualifier for a job.
Lack of job skills: Many formerly incarcerated individuals lack the job skills necessary to secure employment. This is due to a number of factors, including limited education and work experience.
Discrimination: Formerly incarcerated individuals often face discrimination from employers, even if they have a clean criminal record. This discrimination can be overt, such as refusing to hire someone because they have a criminal record, or it can be more subtle, such as giving preference to white job seekers over equally qualified African American or Latino job seekers.

The Consequences of Unemployment

Unemployment has a number of negative consequences for formerly incarcerated individuals and their families. These consequences include:

Increased poverty: Unemployment is a major cause of poverty, and formerly incarcerated individuals are more likely to be poor than the general population.
Homelessness: Unemployment can lead to homelessness, as formerly incarcerated individuals may be unable to afford housing.
Recidivism: Unemployment is a major risk factor for recidivism, as formerly incarcerated individuals who are unable to find work are more likely to return to crime.

Solutions to the Problem

There are a number of things that can be done to address the problem of unemployment among formerly incarcerated individuals. These include:

Banning the box: "Ban the box" laws prohibit employers from asking job applicants about their criminal history on initial job applications. This gives formerly incarcerated individuals a fair chance to compete for jobs without being automatically disqualified.
Providing job training: Job training programs can help formerly incarcerated individuals develop the skills they need to secure employment.
Enacting anti-discrimination laws: Anti-discrimination laws can protect formerly incarcerated individuals from discrimination in employment.
Changing attitudes: It is important to change attitudes towards formerly incarcerated individuals. They should be given a second chance to rebuild their lives and contribute to society.

By taking these steps, we can help to break the cycle of mass incarceration and unemployment. We can create a more just and equitable society for all.