Attitudes From The Inside: College Students’ Views Toward Admitting Students With Criminal Records

• In Event: Public Opinion about Felony Stigma, Redeemability, and Returning Citizens’ Reentry Process

Abstract

In recent years, employers have adopted progressive policies to ban the box on applications to allow individuals with criminal records access to employment. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said about college and university admission officers and their applications. As a result, each year thousands of individuals with records are denied admission to universities and colleges. The rationale behind asking about record-related information on applications is to reduce violence, protect against liabilities, and increase safety on campuses. Previous research, however, reveals universities with criminal history screenings on their applications have no more crime than those who do not (Hughes et al., 2014; Olsewska, 2007). The current study uses survey data from 869 students to assess how college students view these policies. Results show that students, especially those with prior contact and experiences with the criminal justice system, are generally supportive of applicants with felony records and overwhelmingly supportive of applicants with misdemeanor records being admitted to and attending post-secondary institutions.

Authors

• Haley Puddy, The University of Texas at Dallas

• Alexander Burton, The University of Texas at Dallas