“Formerly incarcerated applicants are among the most vulnerable, and we should treat them with respect, if not admiration” Princeton University has taken a stance against a student movement called “Ban the Box.” The “box” refers to a section of the college admissions application that inquires about a prospective student’s criminal history. Applicants with criminal histories are very likely to be rejected from academic institutions. Students argue that by allowing criminal histories to weigh into admissions decisions, the Princeton … [Read more...] about Princeton students support ex-cons getting higher education
Ban the Box
Reintegraciόn y trabajo dificil para Ex-Convictos
Ex convictos continúan siendo estigmatizados por su historial criminal, en particular al intentar buscar un trabajo legítimo. Sin embargo, los empresarios están enfrentando una creciente presión a nivel nacional para cambiar sus pólizas de no ofrecer empleo a ex convictos. Una vez que un preso se reintegra a la sociedad, encontrar y mantener un empleo se convierte en el principal factor que determina sí un preso tiene éxito o regresar a la prisión. El movimiento “Ban the box” buscar revocar las pregunta de “si” o “no” a cerca de felonías … [Read more...] about Reintegraciόn y trabajo dificil para Ex-Convictos
Several new policies to help hire formerly incarcerated
In spite of the negative stigma of a felony conviction, new policies developed by local, state and federal officials will encourage employers to hire the formerly incarcerated, according to a Rand Corporation report. Policies such as “Ban the Box,” certificates of rehabilitation, the federal Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) and Department of Labor Reintegration of Ex-Offender grants, even with limitations, improve the chances of the formerly incarcerated for employment, the Rand study found. “To inform policies and programs aimed at … [Read more...] about Several new policies to help hire formerly incarcerated
Parolees’ hard transition from stigmatized past
Convicted felons continue to be stigmatized by their criminal past, particularly when they search for legitimate work. But employers are facing a growing, nationwide pressure to change their anti-felon hiring policies. Upon reentry, finding and maintaining employment becomes the main factor that determines an inmate’s success or recidivism. The “ban the box” movement seeks to abolish the yes or no question about felony conviction on standard job applications, according to a recent article. Intimate partner violence accounts for 15 percent of … [Read more...] about Parolees’ hard transition from stigmatized past
Study reveals how ‘Ban the Box’ can do more harm than good
“‘Ban the Box’ Does More Harm than Good,” an op-ed by Jennifer L. Doleac and published by the Brookings Institution, says that the policy that’s supposed to help ex-offenders find jobs doesn’t really help many. It actually winds up hurting the employment chances for Black and Hispanic men who don’t have criminal records. Doleac reports that Black men born in 2001 have a 32 percent chance of imprisonment, Hispanic men have a 17 percent chance, and White men have only a 6 percent chance. Employers often assume, therefore, that Black and Hispanic … [Read more...] about Study reveals how ‘Ban the Box’ can do more harm than good
‘Ban the Box’ Might Have Unintended Consequences
A recent study shows two-thirds of former inmates are rearrested and re-convicted within three years of their release from prison, reports Kate Irby for McClatchy. A staggering 60 to 75 percent are not employed a year after their release. People who can’t earn money often use illegal means to survive. Moreover, efforts to fix the problem may unintentionally complicate the matter for those who have never committed crime, according to the report. A new policy called “Ban the Box” was created to remedy the problem. However, a Princeton … [Read more...] about ‘Ban the Box’ Might Have Unintended Consequences
Ban the Box Underway Across The Country
The “Ban the Box” movement is gaining support across the country, boosting the chance of people with criminal records to get jobs, a report says. Twenty-three states and more than 100 cities and counties nationwide have adopted some form of “Ban the Box,” which prohibits a question on whether the job applicant has a criminal record, according to the National Employment Law Project. California adopted its initiative in 2013, when Democratic Gov. Jerry Brown signed Assembly Bill 218. It removes the questions about convictions from initial … [Read more...] about Ban the Box Underway Across The Country
‘Ban the Box’ Movement Gains National Traction
Efforts are underway to help former prisoners find jobs. The focus is to “ban the box” on job applications that would disclose any criminal convictions. Tamisha Walker recalls her first encounter with the box. “Right then and there, it was like the air went out of my tires,” Walker told reporter Lydia DePillis, who was writing for the Washington Post’s online feature Storyline. Walker said she got an interview but didn’t get that job; however, she did get another job as a community organizer. Since then, Walker has helped pass a law … [Read more...] about ‘Ban the Box’ Movement Gains National Traction
Richmond City Passes New ‘Ban-the-Box’ Law, 6 to 1
A law prohibiting employers from asking job applicants to disclose their criminal background during any point in the hiring process was passed, 6-1, by the Richmond City Council recently. It is among the nation’s most comprehensive “ban-the-box” laws, according to an article in the Huffington Post. The “box” in question is the place on applications where applicants often must check that they have a criminal background. Several dozen municipalities across the country, including Oakland, have enacted similar legislation. Richmond’s ordinance … [Read more...] about Richmond City Passes New ‘Ban-the-Box’ Law, 6 to 1