MSW Programs’ Admissions Policies Regarding Applicants with Histories of Criminal Justice Involvement

Curran, Laura; Mayers, Raymond Sanchez; DiMarcantonio, Laura; Fulghum, Fontaine H.

doi:10.1080/10437797.2019.1661903

Cited by 6 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 13 publications

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“…Across the academic and professional spectrum, there is a lack of empirical data and guidelines from accrediting bodies of social work informing effective techniques and criteria for predicting success or suitability for the profession (Curran et al, 2020;Madden, 2000;Miller & Koerin, 1998;Sowbel, 2012;Zellmer & Knothe, 2011). This is cause for concern.…”

Section: Gatekeeping In Social Workmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The opportunity for individuals with criminal records to become social workers may technically exist, but those with records have to successfully pass "the gauntlet of supplemental requirements" (Rosenthal et al, 2015, p. 21) known to be barriers and deterrents to success. After Rosental and colleagues (2015) from the Center for Community Alternatives reported that merely having to respond to questions about criminal records potentially deterred over 60% of applicants with felonies from finishing their applications, many schools eliminated questions about criminal records (Curran et al, 2020). The US Department of Education (2016), through the Beyond the Box report, has urged schools to forgo these questions in admissions, citing potential violations of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and yet these practices persist.…”

Section: The Use Of Criminal Records In Gatekeepingmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In their research study, Curran et al (2020) found field placement concerns to be the primary factor influencing MSW program's decisions to inquire about criminal record histories during the application process. Based on existing literature, it is unclear what scientific evidence informs screening policies and which procedures, if any, are most effective at enhancing public safety.…”

Section: The Use Of Criminal Records In Gatekeepingmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Based on existing literature, it is unclear what scientific evidence informs screening policies and which procedures, if any, are most effective at enhancing public safety. In fact, researchers have highlighted the misalignment between recidivism research and dominant perceptions of social work professionals charged with decision-making and risk-assessment of individuals with criminal records (Brodersen et al, 2009;Curran et al, 2020).…”

Section: The Use Of Criminal Records In Gatekeepingmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Criminal records have emerged as an important litmus test for fitness to practice social work and stand as significant barriers to entering educational programs and securing licensure (Curran et al, 2020;Custer, 2016). National Association of Social Workers (NASW, 2021b) membership is immediately revoked on conviction of a felony.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

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Criminal Records as Predictors of Harm

Bohrman

Updyke²,

Radis³

et al. 2022

ASW

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The National Association of Social Work Code of Ethics requires advocacy on behalf of groups experiencing oppression, and yet it can be difficult to recognize when the oppression is emanating from the profession itself. Social work has enacted numerous barriers to entry for people with criminal records, a group that disproportionately includes people who are poor, Black, disabled, and or LGBTQ+. While previous articles have examined the role of criminal records in the social work admission process, scholars have not comprehensively examined the role criminal records play throughout the career of a social worker. This article provides an overview of how records are used in higher education admissions, licensing, and employment, highlighting the limitations of criminal records as future indicators of harm. We argue that the broad use of criminal record checks not only harms marginalized individuals with records but is a disservice to clients who would benefit from the unique strengths derived from their social work training and lived experience. We conclude with future policy directions informed by abolitionist practices including non-reformist reforms that can reduce barriers to entry into the profession and build upon the strengths of people with lived experience in the criminal legal system.

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Section: Gatekeeping In Social Workmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: The Use Of Criminal Records In Gatekeepingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: The Use Of Criminal Records In Gatekeepingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: The Use Of Criminal Records In Gatekeepingmentioning

confidence: 99%

mentioning

confidence: 99%

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Criminal Records as Predictors of Harm

Bohrman

Updyke²,

Radis³

et al. 2022

ASW

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Navigating the Profession with a “Black Mark”: Discrimination Experiences of Social Workers with Criminal Convictions

Jackson,

Chubb

2024

J. Hum. Rights Soc. Work

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International social work associations lack sufficient guidance to address tensions within social work education, employment, and registration about individuals with criminal convictions. This tension arises from the need to uphold social work principles of human rights and social justice while minimizing the risk of harm to clients. Limited research exists on how social workers with criminal convictions navigate the profession. Until 2019, when data were collected for this study, there was no information on the topic in Aotearoa, New Zealand.This article reports on an exploratory qualitative study of individuals navigating the social work profession with a criminal history. We aimed to determine whether participants faced discrimination and whether this impacted their careers. An interpretative phenomenological analysis was applied to data collected in 2019 through 11 semi-structured interviews with registered and nonregistered social workers with one or more criminal convictions.Participants’ experiences highlighted an overarching theme of once a criminal, always a criminal, showcasing discrimination experienced by social workers with criminal convictions when pursuing a social work career. This overarching theme was underpinned by four predominant subthemes relating to stigma and oppression.Participants’ experiences add to evidence that some practices within social work clash with the profession’s underpinning principles. The authors argue that social work associations, registration bodies, educators, and employers should understand the value people with lived experiences of the criminal legal system can bring to the profession and facilitate supportive access to social work careers as they are representative of populations served by the profession.

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