Off-the-books employment following release from prison Prior re-entry studies used administrative data to conclude that post-release employment rates are low. These studies may however... Show moreOff-the-books employment following release from prison Prior re-entry studies used administrative data to conclude that post-release employment rates are low. These studies may however underestimate ex-prisoners’ labour market participation as especially ex-prisoners are expected to work off-the-books. A prison record might for instance create a legal ban on certain occupations, pushing them towards the informal labour market. This study combines administrative with interview data to examine the prevalence and relative importance of informal employment among former prisoners in the Netherlands (N = 738). Multiple measurement strategies show that a substantial part of these men work off-the-books. About forty percent of these workers rely on it as their primary source of income, but many combine it with a formal job or social benefits. These findings raise concern and show that many post-prison jobs currently do not come to the attention of scholars or governmental organizations. Show less
Ramakers, A.A.T.; Nieuwbeerta, P.; Wilsem, J. van; Dirkzwager, A. 2016
Ex-prisoners’ recidivism risks are high. Several theories state that employment can reduce these risks but emphasize that the protective role of employment is conditional on job qualities (work... Show moreEx-prisoners’ recidivism risks are high. Several theories state that employment can reduce these risks but emphasize that the protective role of employment is conditional on job qualities (work intensity, job duration, etc.). Longitudinal research on the role of employment in ex-prisoners’ recidivism patterns is scarce, and most existing work used a simplistic employment measure (i.e., employed vs. unemployed), leaving the topic of job quality underexplored. This study examines the association between employment characteristics and recidivism among Dutch ex-prisoners. Using longitudinal data of the Prison Project (n = 714), we found that not just any job, but particularly stable employment and jobs with a higher occupational level could help reduce crime rates among these high-risk offenders. Many ex-prisoners face a human capital deficit that complicates the guidance to high-quality jobs. It might, however, be possible to help place ex-prisoners in stable employment. Show less
Ramakers, A.A.T.; Van Wilsem, J.A.; Nieuwbeerta, P.; Dirkzwager, A.J.E. 2016
This study examines to what extent ex-prisoners return to their pre-prison job and identifies factors that facilitate or hinder this outcome. Data from a longitudinal study of Dutch pretrial... Show moreThis study examines to what extent ex-prisoners return to their pre-prison job and identifies factors that facilitate or hinder this outcome. Data from a longitudinal study of Dutch pretrial detainees were analyzed to examine whether those who were employed at the time of arrest returned to their pre-prison employer, found new employment, or remained jobless in the first half year following prison. Results show that one in three employed ex-prisoners found employment through their previous employer. The findings emphasize the relevance of recent employment ties for successful reintegration and add nuance to the assumption that employers are reluctant to hire this group of workers. Show less
