Reentry and Recidivism

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Recidivism and Reentry: Barriers to Employment Florence Jones-Via Liberty University April 3, 2014 Ex-Offenders and Employment: “According to statistics from the National Reentry Resource Center, each year more than 700,000 people in the United States are released from state and federal prisons, while another 9 million cycle through local jails”, (Schiffner, B. 2013). These citizens entering society after incarceration face many obstacles. Barriers to employment tend to be one of those obstacles. “Time behind bars can lead to deterioration in a worker’s “human capital,” including formal education, on- the- job experience, and even “soft skills,” such a punctuality or customer relations, (Schmitt & Warner, 2011). Most employers are reluctant to hire applicants with criminal records which impact the re-entry programs. The impact on reentry programs is instrumental to the high rates of recidivism in the United States. Barriers to employment: “The major States of the Union allows employers to deny jobs to citizens with criminal records”, as reported by the (2004) Legal Action Center. Holzer et al., (2003) suggest “certain occupations legally closed to individuals with felony convictions under state law as well as federal law”. Access to the criminal history of employers is prejudicial to the wellbeing of ex-offenders. Employers request the arrest records of the individual without regards to the disposition of a case which would be revealed in the court records. This process is detrimental to the welfare of the ex-offender and is a factor in recidivism. Removing the barriers: “In order to help make it easier for the returning citizen to find a job, the Second Chance Act this was signed into law in 2008. The law was designed to improve outcomes for people returning to communities from prisons and jails”, (Schiffner, B. 2013). One aspect of this Act

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