Not Working and Unable to Work
Not Working and Unable to Work
This chapter explores the challenges felons face in securing employment, including criminal history background checks, industry restrictions, changes in public policies, the growth of technology, and the reluctance of companies to hire felons. Most participants reentered society unable to secure legal employment due to divergent levels of education and social capital, and the increased use of criminal history background checks. A job is critically important to successfully reenter society due to the increased practice of local and state governments imposing criminal justice fees and fines, as well as child-support payments in arrears. Based on interview and ethnographic data, this chapter details the challenges convicted felons encounter when looking for work, and also explores some of the strategies that participants used in an effort to secure gainful legal employment.
Keywords: background checks, employment, public policies, fees, fines
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