Employer Attitudes Toward Hiring Ex-offenders in Bangladesh

• In Event: Post-Incarceration Finances and Institutional Buy-In for Reentry

Abstract

According to the Prison Directorate, each year more than 15,000 prisoners are being released from prisons. However, due to the absence of sufficient re-entry support programs they face many barriers in obtaining gainful employment upon release. Using a qualitative interview method this study explores the employer attitudes toward hiring ex-offenders in Bangladesh. Considering the accessibility and willingness to participate a total of 40 employers representing business firms, manufacturing industries, transport sectors, and construction companies in the Dhaka metropolitan area were recruited for in-depth interviews. Findings indicate that overall, the willingness to hire ex-offenders was very low among employers. Furthermore, the majority of them would not even hire an applicant with a criminal record regardless of the offense committed. While one-fourth of the respondents reported that they would consider hiring non-violent released prisoners with little work experience if the government provides some sort of incentive. The study concludes that the existing prison-based vocational training and education programs and post-release support programs should be enhanced to facilitate the employment prospect of returning prisoners. At the same time, the government should design policies to incentivize employers for hiring ex-offenders with non-violent criminal records.

Author

• Mohammed Bin Kashem, National University, Bangladesh