The Impact of Community Based Organizations: Employment Disparities
Just like everyone else in society, people who were formerly incarcerated and individuals
who have a criminal record need employment in order to support themselves, their families, and
to be functioning members of society. Obtaining employment after incarceration helps to gain
stability, reduces their likelihood of returning to prison, and promotes greater public safety to the
overall community. Although there are many benefits for employment for formerly incarcerated
individuals, people with a criminal record are shut off from the labor market.
The unemployment rate for formerly incarcerated individuals is almost five times higher than the general unemployment rate of the United States population. People with a criminal record want to work and are even more active in the labor market than the general public. It is due to policy and discrimination that they are not able to gain employment and therefore are unable to obtain other necessities. The mark of a criminal record displays time out of the workforce, reduced wages, and limits the types of jobs available. In a study done on employment for justice-involved individuals, it was found that checking the box and indicating that they have a criminal record reduced the likelihood of a callback by 50%. Even when people with a criminal record are able to get a job, they are still facing economic instability. Incarceration has been estimated to reduce hourly wages by 15% and men with prison records tend to earn about 30- 40% less each year than other men without a criminal record.
Employment for people who have a history of incarceration can be very hard to obtain. However, access to employment allows individuals to gain freedom and hopefully helps them to move from their past. One avenue to employment would be directly through the reentry program. For example, LINC provides employment through their urban farm. The farm is run and operated by individuals who live in the transitional housing. This program gives individuals working experience and the food they grow feeds their residents and other residents and business in New Hanover County.
Another example from the community organization LINC of a pathway towards employment is their employment bootcamp. This resource is not directly providing an individual with a job but it is providing the individual with guidance towards a successful path to employment. For example, in the employment bootcamp LINC provides resume writing, mock interviews, completing job applications, and job hunting.
The inequalities produced by incarceration affect individuals, others that may be relying on that individual, and the community overall. Formerly incarcerated individuals are not unemployed and economically disadvantaged due to a lack of trying. They are disadvantaged because of the stigma they hold and the judgment that is put upon them by other members of their community. Community based reentry organizations can be extremely helpful in guiding individuals into the job market because obtaining a job is not only important as a means of income but it helps to integrate back into the community, lower the risk of homelessness, and lowers the risk of future recidivism.
The unemployment rate for formerly incarcerated individuals is almost five times higher than the general unemployment rate of the United States population. People with a criminal record want to work and are even more active in the labor market than the general public. It is due to policy and discrimination that they are not able to gain employment and therefore are unable to obtain other necessities. The mark of a criminal record displays time out of the workforce, reduced wages, and limits the types of jobs available. In a study done on employment for justice-involved individuals, it was found that checking the box and indicating that they have a criminal record reduced the likelihood of a callback by 50%. Even when people with a criminal record are able to get a job, they are still facing economic instability. Incarceration has been estimated to reduce hourly wages by 15% and men with prison records tend to earn about 30- 40% less each year than other men without a criminal record.
Employment for people who have a history of incarceration can be very hard to obtain. However, access to employment allows individuals to gain freedom and hopefully helps them to move from their past. One avenue to employment would be directly through the reentry program. For example, LINC provides employment through their urban farm. The farm is run and operated by individuals who live in the transitional housing. This program gives individuals working experience and the food they grow feeds their residents and other residents and business in New Hanover County.
Another example from the community organization LINC of a pathway towards employment is their employment bootcamp. This resource is not directly providing an individual with a job but it is providing the individual with guidance towards a successful path to employment. For example, in the employment bootcamp LINC provides resume writing, mock interviews, completing job applications, and job hunting.
The inequalities produced by incarceration affect individuals, others that may be relying on that individual, and the community overall. Formerly incarcerated individuals are not unemployed and economically disadvantaged due to a lack of trying. They are disadvantaged because of the stigma they hold and the judgment that is put upon them by other members of their community. Community based reentry organizations can be extremely helpful in guiding individuals into the job market because obtaining a job is not only important as a means of income but it helps to integrate back into the community, lower the risk of homelessness, and lowers the risk of future recidivism.
About the Author
Jessica Yohey is a Master’s degree student at UNC-Wilmington in the Criminology and Sociology program. She is passionate about learning about today’s criminal legal system and the ways in which it can be improved to provide more justice for all. Jessica is especially interested in the impact of community-based organizations and the process of reentry. Currently interning for Eyes on the Law, she looks forward to learning more about the impact LINC has on the community, and is excited for the experiences that LINC and EOL provide. Jessica plans to use this experience to guide her educational journey!