Criminal Background Checks: Impact on Employment & Recidivism

Session Submission Type: Complete Thematic Panel

Abstract

The Urban Institute (Urban) and the Council for Court Excellence (CCE), have worked on a series of studies to examine employment opportunities for people with criminal histories. In the past year, a number of research reports and papers on these topics have been prepared, with a goal to provide practitioners, policy makers, and researchers with knowledge about a range of issues that impact justice-involved people’ ability to gain employment. This panel will review policies and regulations that impact employment for people with criminal histories (e.g. Ban the Box legislation), examine the application of two types of criminal background checks across the country, present findings on nation-wide barriers to employment, and conclude by presenting key findings and opportunities for unlocking employment opportunities in the District of Columbia.

Sub Unit

• Area VII. Criminal Justice Policy and Practice / 33. Collateral Consequences of Incarceration

Division of Special Interest

• Divisions of Special Interest / Division on Corrections & Sentencing

Individual Presentations

• Ban the Box and Racial Discrimination: A review of the Evidence and Policy Recommendations - Christina Stacy, The Urban Institute

• An Overview of Criminal Background Checks: FBI Records vs. Commercial Checks - Emily Reimal, The Urban Institute

• The Impact of Criminal Background Checks on Employment & Recidivism: Barriers to Employment for People with Criminal Records & Key Findings in the District of Columbia - Marina Duane, The Urban Institute; Mathew Lynch, Urban Institute

• Beyond Second Chances: Returning Citizens’ Re-entry Struggles and Successes in the District of Columbia - Emily Tatro, Council for Court Excellence

Chair

• Nancy G La Vigne, Urban Institute, Justice Policy Center