Going Back to College?: Criminal Stigma in Admission to Higher Education in Northeastern U.S.

• In Event: Causes and Consequences of Inequality Among Formerly Incarcerated

Abstract

Many colleges and universities inquire about and use criminal history information to categorize applicants and inform admissions decisions. However, research has not examined school-level factors associated with institutional consideration of a felony record in the process of accepting or rejecting applicants. This study uses demographic and institutional data from a stratified random sample of colleges and universities in the northeast U.S. to explore possible associations with admissions decisions for applicants with a prior felony. We collected the dependent variables – whether institutions inquire about criminal history on applications, and whether institutions will accept applicants with a prior felony – through inquiries to each school’s admissions department. Preliminary findings indicate an inverse relationship between enrollment size and likelihood of accepting an applicant with a prior felony. As several states pursue and implement policies to “ban the box” asking about criminal history on college applications, the findings of this study will provide information that can inform these policies.

Authors

• Douglas N. Evans, John Jay College of Criminal Justice

• Victor St. John, John Jay College / CUNY Graduate Center

• Jason Szkola, John Jay College / CUNY Graduate Center