Narratives of Commitment: Looking for Work with a Criminal Record

Abstract

Unemployment is one of the most often cited barriers to reentry, yet we know little about how understandings of work inform the job-search strategies of men and women with felon status. How and why do individuals remain committed to the legitimate labor market and continue their search for employment? We categorized interviews from 38 Milwaukee County residents into four narrative typologies that (1) reflected understandings of work and job market challenges and (2) mapped onto reported job-search strategies. Findings inform discussions about reentry and stigma that have yet to draw on narratives of commitment to the labor market.

Breaking Down Barriers: Experiments into Policies That Might Incentivize Employers to Hire Ex-Offenders

“…While the specific designs of these policies vary across states, they all serve to ban employers from asking job applicants about criminal records until late in the hiring process. By delaying employers' ability to use a job applicant's criminal history as a signal of low employability, BTB policies aim to encourage ex-offenders to apply for positions (Hlavka, Wheelock, and Cossyleon, 2015) and to increase the likelihood that they are selected for a job interview, providing them with an opportunity to mitigate discrimination through face-toface contact and, in turn, improve their employment outcomes (Altonji and Pierret, 2001). One study conducted in Honolulu County found Hawaii's BTB significantly reduced recidivism among ex-felons (D'Alessio, Stolzenberg, and Flexon, 2015), suggesting such policies present large potential benefits.…”

Exoffender Accounts of Successful Reentry from Prison

“…Caught between being discredited and being discreditable (Goffman, 1959), respondents in Maruna's (2001) study developed unique identity management strategies, dependent upon the adaptation of specific cultural scripts. Maruna suggested that explanations of desistance from crime might be strengthened by narrative accounts (also see Harding, 2003;Hlavka et al, 2015;Kaufman & Johnson, 2004;McAdams, 1993). Exoffenders often explain reform as a process of self-transformation and personal decision-making rather than something managed by outside agencies (Maruna et al, 2009).…”

“…In fact, a few interviewees were now employees or volunteers at the nonprofits in this study. Criminal records and prison stints were reframed as credentialing experiences rather than restrictions (also see Hlavka et al, 2015): Jean (female): All of my jobs have been community-based jobs. Most of them has been outreach.…”

“…For most exoffenders, employment remains a cornerstone to reentry, yet many are unable to find legitimate opportunities for employment (Solomon, Roman, & Waul, 2001;Uggen & Thompson, 2003). For some, just the possibility of finding work demonstrates conventional commitments and by extension facilitates reentry (Hlavka et al, 2015). Research also identifies the importance of role transformation and commitment to family (Herrschaft et al, 2009;O'Brien, 2001;Uggen & Thompson, 2003) as well as civic participation and neighborhood involvement (Maruna, 2001;Travis & Petersilia, 2001;Uggen & Thompson, 2003).…”

“…Research has found that released prisoners tend to have spotty work histories (Apel & Sweeten, 2010;Hlavka, Wheelock, & Cossyleon, 2015), are frequently uneducated or undereducated (Petersilia, 2003), and often live with family members with legal troubles of their own (Visher, Yahner, & La Vigne, 2010). In addition, many jurisdictions prohibit individuals with felon status from a wide range of civic, educational, and employment opportunities (Wheelock, 2005;Wheelock & Uggen, 2008;Wheelock, Uggen, & Hlavka, 2011), and the low-wage labor market continues to discriminate against individuals with a criminal record (Pager, Western, & Bonikowski, 2009).…”