Contradicting Policies

Challenges & Obstacles

The call for second chances is inconsistent with the invisible punishment embedded in existing policies. The collateral consequences also known as invisible punishments include civil restrictions such as, losing the right to vote, conditions and bans that affect the completion of job applications, the securing of public or private housing, or the application for public assistance and other services that are vital for social functioning.

These are public policies aimed to be “tough on crime,” yet they cause difficulties in the experience of reentry and initiate punishment after release by putting bans and conditions on those with a criminal record. The goal of reintegration is to reduce the risk of former prisoners reoffending. However, for ex-offenders to be able to live crime-free lives, they need to be given access to resources and opportunities that will allow for and encourage productive participation in society.[6]

CONTRADICTING POLICIES: Other Projects

For decades there has been the prevailing ethos for employers and policymakers to believe that criminal background and risky work performance go hand in hand. Assumptions that they are bad or unsafe workers are keeping eligible people excluded from the workforce, commonly when they’re just released from prison, and at great consequence to the economy. Research has showed support for that even those with major criminal records or the most serious crimes more often are found fairly trustworthy on the job. However, the records show that three out of four ex-felons remain unemployed a year after their release, and only 12.5% of employers indicated the willingness to accept applications from ex-criminals. Nevertheless, this does not go unpunished as reports from the ACLU showed that the failure to hire ex-offenders is really bad for the economy. [7]

CONTRADICTING POLICIES: Other Projects

[6] Pogorzelski, Wendy, Nancy Wolff, Ko-Yu Pan, and Cynthia L. Blitz. "Behavioral Health

Problems, Ex-Offender Reentry Policies, and the “Second Chance Act”." American

Journal of Public Health95, no. 10 (2005): 1718-724. doi:10.2105/ajph.2005.065805.

[7] Mock, Brentin. "Excluding Ex-Offenders from the Workforce Is Bad Business." CityLab. June

15, 2017. https://www.citylab.com/equity/2017/06/the-case-for-hiring-ex-

offenders/529896/.

CONTRADICTING POLICIES: Text