Unemployment and mass incarceration are two of the most pressing issues facing America today.
While the unemployment rate has steadily declined over the past decade, it remains stubbornly high for certain populations, particularly for African Americans and those with criminal records.
In fact, a new report by the Prison Policy Initiative (PPI) highlights the staggering reality that people with criminal records face in the job market: nearly one in three Americans have a criminal record, and more than half of them are unemployed.
The PPI report, “Out of Work: Unemployment and Incarceration in America,” provides a sobering picture of the relationship between mass incarceration and unemployment in the United States.
The report estimates that there are approximately 70 million people in the U.S. with a criminal record and that more than half of them are unemployed. This translates to a total of 35 million people who are unable to find work because of their criminal record. The report also highlights the fact that the unemployment rate for people with criminal records is nearly five times higher than the rate for those without a criminal record.
The relationship between mass incarceration and unemployment is not a new phenomenon. It has been well documented that people with criminal records face significant barriers to employment, including discrimination and lack of access to job training and education programs. However, the PPI report sheds new light on the extent of this problem, and the devastating impact it has on individuals, families, and communities.
This report argues that the high rate of unemployment among people with criminal records is not only a problem for these individuals, but also for the broader economy. People who are unemployed are more likely to engage in criminal behavior, which can lead to further incarceration and higher crime rates. This creates a vicious cycle that perpetuates poverty, unemployment, and mass incarceration.
One of the key drivers of mass incarceration and unemployment is the “War on Drugs.” The report notes that the disproportionate focus on drug offenses in the criminal justice system has led to an increase in the number of people incarcerated for nonviolent offenses. This has created a large population of people with criminal records who are unable to find work and become trapped in poverty.
The report also highlights the role of private prisons in perpetuating mass incarceration and unemployment. Private prisons rely on high incarceration rates to generate profits, and they have a vested interest in maintaining the status quo. This has led to the proliferation of private prisons, which often prioritize profits over rehabilitation and reentry programs.
Despite the daunting challenges, there are steps that can be taken to address the unemployment and mass incarceration crisis. The PPI report recommends several policy solutions, including:
- Ban the box: Encourage employers to remove the criminal history question from job applications, which would help to reduce discrimination against people with criminal records.
- Increase access to job training and education: Invest in programs that help people with criminal records to obtain the skills and education they need to succeed in the job market.
- Reimagine criminal justice: Reform the criminal justice system to reduce the number of people incarcerated for nonviolent offenses, and focus on rehabilitation and reentry programs that help people with criminal records to find work.
- Address the root causes of poverty: Address the underlying social and economic factors that contribute to poverty, such as unemployment, low wages, and lack of access to affordable housing.
The PPI report concludes that the unemployment and mass incarceration crisis is a complex and interrelated problem that requires a comprehensive and coordinated response. Addressing the unemployment and mass incarceration crisis will not only improve the lives of individuals and families but also positively impact the broader economy and society as a whole.