More than a ‘McJob’: Criminal records, education, and access to middle-skill jobs

Life course theories identify employment as an important “turning point” that decreases the likelihood of engaging in criminal behavior; however, studies have found the effect of employment on recidivism to be small. Recent scholarship has suggested a compelling explanation for these findings; it is not just any jobs, but good jobs, that improve outcomes, and policies and programs should prioritize helping individuals with criminal records build skills that are valued on the middle-skill workforce. To this end, recent policy initiatives intended to expand college access to incarcerated students have been proposed-and passed-with broad bipartisan support. Still, there is little research to confirm that credentials conferred by postsecondary carceral education programs increase the likelihood that returning citizens will secure high-quality employment. The proposed study intends to address this gap in the literature by employing a resume audit methodology in one labor market (greater Chicago, IL). Using the resumes of fictional applicants with criminal records that vary on (1) one of three possible educational credentials, including two post secondary credentials and one secondary credential earned while incarcerated, and (2) two possible race conditions (black or white), the researcher will apply to 3000 middle-skill job advertisements. This study, although by no means exhaustive, is an important step toward understanding the value of these credentials, which will in turn allow stakeholders to make more informed, strategic investments to help address cycles of poverty and inequality and encourage desistance.

Project sponsor/grantor:

• National Institute of Justice