When Employers Recruit Felons: Exploitation or Opportunity?
Loading...
Date
2025-05
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
The Ohio State University
Abstract
This study explores employer recruitment as a pathway to job obtainment for formerly incarcerated men. It analyzes 20 jobs obtained by 17 individuals, highlighting how more nontraditional hiring methods, including social media, flyers in transitional housing, and serendipitous conversations, lead to individuals successful employment outcomes. While some roles were lower paid, they often served as stepping stones. However, most jobs offered relatively decent wages and opportunities for upward mobility, and resulted in high job satisfaction. These findings challenge the bleak dominant narrative of a labor market and suggest that employer-driven hiring can expand access to meaningful employment, promote economic inclusion, and support individuals in rebuilding their lives.
Description
Keywords
Employer recruitment of formerly incarcerated individuals, Second chance employment, Workplace inclusion, Reentry employment pathways, Labor market reintegration