How Can Houston Create Job Opportunities for Formerly Incarcerated Individuals?

“Far and away, the best prize that life has to offer is the chance to work hard at work worth doing.”—Theodore Roosevelt.

Regardless of financial status, the feeling of pride and self-esteem from a day of honest work is universally recognized. Yet, for individuals with a history of incarceration, finding a high-paying job is significantly more complex than commonly understood. The Prison Policy Initiative reports that the unemployment rate for former inmates is over 27%. Many job options are unavailable to those with criminal records, resulting in reduced income and restricted opportunities for career growth and financial stability.

Despite their willingness to work hard and excel, many individuals who have been incarcerated in the past are often denied the opportunity to realize their potential fully. However, this situation can be changed if employers and business owners provide opportunities for previously excluded individuals. At Day 41 Resource Center, securing stable employment is crucial for rebuilding a new life, but without partners willing to offer jobs, this is not possible.

Individuals who have served time in prison have fulfilled their obligations and should not be deprived of the opportunity for a better future due to their past. Remember, prison does not determine one's life, but a fresh start can.

Houston Returning Citizens Barriers To Employment

Financial stability is crucial for creating a life, pursuing higher education, and planning for the future. These are common objectives shared by everyone, but individuals who have been previously incarcerated encounter numerous extra challenges. To mention a couple:

Formerly incarcerated individuals have an unemployment rate almost five times higher than the general population in the United States.

Many individuals who have been previously incarcerated are parents of young children, particularly women. The limited availability of decent job prospects also adversely affects them and their children. This harmful cycle of poverty and deprivation can significantly contribute to generational poverty and imprisonment.

Some employers exploit the vulnerability of individuals who were previously incarcerated by paying them lower wages for the same work compared to those with no criminal records. The Prison Policy states that these workers often face worse working conditions and treatment. Businesses have discovered a method to benefit from the desperation of job seekers with criminal histories and take advantage of their limited negotiating power, leading to reduced wages and harsher working environments in specific sectors.

Many job prospects are found in sectors with limited opportunities for career progression or additional learning. With a path for advancement or growth, individuals may find themselves in stable conditions, able to improve their financial situation or create a brighter future.

Unemployment and financial stagnation significantly contribute to the likelihood of recidivism (repeating an offense or returning to criminal behavior). When faced with numerous closed doors, individuals with a history of incarceration may feel inclined toward despair.

We can change this through second-chance hiring. Business owners and employers can create more opportunities for formerly incarcerated individuals to become employed and maximize their second chance.

Houston Employers Make A Difference -2nd Chance Hiring

Employers can positively impact the high unemployment rate among formerly incarcerated individuals. A few ways to do this include:

Collaborate with experienced organizations, such as Day 41, to establish job prospects and provide opportunities for previously incarcerated individuals.

Adopt open hiring policies (also known as second chance hiring). Second-chance hiring involves employing formerly incarcerated individuals, people in recovery, or other applicants whose life choices and situations have disadvantaged them in obtaining stable employment.

Establish a mentoring program. This can be an excellent way to integrate a new employee into your company and workforce quickly and make the transition easier for someone working to establish a new normal after life in prison.

Second-chance employers are eligible for the Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC), a federal income tax benefit administered by the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) for employers who hire individuals from specified target populations, including those convicted of a felony.

 Many second-chance employers have been pleased with the results of hiring formerly incarcerated individuals. According to Richard Bronson, CEO of 70 Million Jobs, “82 percent of hiring managers said the quality of those candidates is as good as, if not better than, someone without a criminal record.” He said, “This group of people does incredibly well. Retention, especially, is really where the game is won. This population knows they have fewer options, so they work harder, and if they find themselves in a relatively good situation, they will do everything they can to stay where they are."

 The individuals walking the path to reentry are highly motivated to work hard, perform well, and learn quickly—and they should be given every opportunity to do so. As a community, we can work together to make that happen. At Day 41, we work closely with our employment partners to develop and maintain strong relationships to ensure a suitable placement for the employer and the participant. Would you become an employment partner today? Contact us to learn more.