One of the main causes of crime is the lack of economic opportunities for people who are marginalized or disadvantaged by poverty, discrimination, or lack of education. This is especially true for people who have been involved in the criminal justice system and face many barriers to re-entering society after serving their sentences.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Justice Statistics, about 68% of people who are released from prison are rearrested within three years, and 83% are rearrested within nine years2. This high rate of recidivism not only harms the individuals and their families, but also imposes significant costs on taxpayers and society as a whole.
One of the most effective ways to reduce crime and recidivism is to create jobs for people who are released from prison. This article will discuss why this is the case, and provide some examples of successful programs and policies that support ex-offenders in finding employment.
Why Creating Jobs for Ex-Offenders Reduces Crime
There are several reasons why creating jobs for ex-offenders reduces crime in society. First, having a job provides a source of income, stability, and dignity for people who are trying to rebuild their lives after prison. It also reduces their dependence on welfare or illegal activities to survive.
Second, having a job helps ex-offenders develop skills, networks, and self-esteem that can increase their chances of finding better opportunities in the future. It also exposes them to positive role models and mentors who can guide them and encourage them to stay away from crime.
Third, having a job reduces the stigma and discrimination that ex-offenders face from employers, landlords, neighbors, and society at large. It also increases their social capital and civic engagement, which can foster a sense of belonging and responsibility to their communities.
Fourth, having a job reduces the risk of reoffending by keeping ex-offenders busy and occupied with productive activities. It also reduces their exposure to negative influences and temptations that may lead them back to crime.
Examples of Successful Programs and Policies
There are many examples of successful programs and policies that create jobs for ex-offenders and reduce crime in society. Here are some of them:
• The Prison Entrepreneurship Program (PEP) is a nonprofit organization that provides business education, mentoring, and funding to inmates in Texas prisons who want to start their own businesses after release3. Since its inception in 2004, PEP has graduated more than 2,000 participants, who have launched over 350 businesses and created over 1,500 jobs. PEP graduates have a recidivism rate of less than 7%, compared to the national average of 50%.
• The Ban the Box campaign is a movement that advocates for removing the question about criminal history from job applications. The campaign argues that this question unfairly excludes qualified candidates who have paid their debt to society and deserve a second chance. According to a study by the National Employment Law Project, banning the box can increase the hiring rate of people with criminal records by up to 40%.
• The Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) is a federal program that offers tax incentives to employers who hire people from certain target groups, including ex-felons. The program aims to encourage employers to give a chance to workers who face significant barriers to employment. According to a study by the Urban Institute, WOTC can increase the earnings and employment rates of ex-offenders by up to 10%.
Creating jobs for people who are released from prison is an effective way to reduce crime in society. It not only benefits the individuals and their families, but also the economy and society as a whole. By providing ex-offenders with income, skills, networks, self-esteem, social capital, civic engagement, and reduced stigma and discrimination, jobs can help them reintegrate into society and stay away from crime.
There are many successful programs and policies that create jobs for ex-offenders and reduce crime in society, such as the Prison Entrepreneurship Program, the Ban the Box campaign, and the Work Opportunity Tax Credit. These programs and policies should be supported and expanded to reach more people who need them.
By creating jobs for ex-offenders, we can create a safer, fairer, and more prosperous society for everyone.
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