Research on the relationship between incarceration and employment has grown in both volume and sophistication in the last 10 years. While studies differ with respect to point estimates and outcomes... Show moreResearch on the relationship between incarceration and employment has grown in both volume and sophistication in the last 10 years. While studies differ with respect to point estimates and outcomes, there is remarkable consistency in the finding that incarceration is highly disruptive for certain aspects of the employment experience—even relative to other highly disadvantaged individuals, formerly incarcerated individuals experience a great deal of instability in the labor market. Furthermore, the “scarring effects” of incarceration have a tendency to be longstanding. Studies performed outside the United States also indicate that, even in countries with far more liberal and humane justice systems, incarceration is highly disruptive for employment prospects. In this chapter, several diverse lines of evidence are reviewed, among them, individual-level research on incarcerated individuals, as well as research on employer behavior and attitudes. The chapter closes with some modest suggestions for further advancement of research on the incarceration-employment relationship. Show less
Prior evidence shows that prisoners’ beliefs and perceptions have profound implications for their postprison success. This study shows which prisoners are more or less optimistic about their... Show morePrior evidence shows that prisoners’ beliefs and perceptions have profound implications for their postprison success. This study shows which prisoners are more or less optimistic about their postrelease employment prospects and for what reason. Specifically, this study examines how pessimistic prisoners are about finding a job, finding an unskilled job, and finding a minimum-wage job. It also reveals whether variables drawn from labelling and human capital theories can explain between-individual differences in these perceptions. Using survey data on 154 Romanian prisoners, we find substantial differences in optimism. These differences are partly explained by prisoners’ criminal history and human capital, but more so by prisoners’ expectations about the importance of these characteristics in the hiring process. Policy implications are discussed. Show less
Practically all prisoners eventually return to free society. Considering their high rates of subsequent recidivism, more insight into post-prison circumstances is vital. Such knowledge is scarce,... Show morePractically all prisoners eventually return to free society. Considering their high rates of subsequent recidivism, more insight into post-prison circumstances is vital. Such knowledge is scarce, and it also remained unclear thus far to what extent imprisonment caused these individuals to lose their integration with the community. Scholars, professionals and prisoners themselves note that the path to a successful reentry critically depends on the transition to employment. Yet, imprisonment bars offenders from employment during imprisonment and might also limit their post-prison employment prospects. Using data of the Prison Project – a longitudinal study of almost 2,000 prisoners – this thesis examines men’s labor market experiences before and after imprisonment and studies whether recidivism risks are lower among employed versus unemployed ex-prisoners. The results show that most prisoners face a severe human capital deficit even long before they enter prison. After release many remain unable to (re)integrate into the labor market. Only longer spells (exceeding six months) seem to further deteriorate the already poor employment prospects. Among working ex-prisoners, those who are able to return to a previous employer or hold down their job during the first half year following release recidivate significantly less. Show less
