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Resources
The Business Case for Criminal Justice Reform: Second Chance Hiring
US Chamber Foundation
This report explores the benefits to employers that hire formerly incarcerated individuals, identifies barriers to entry for those with criminal convictions, highlights programs and organizations working to break down these barriers, and discusses developments concerning state and federal legislation that supports second and fair chance hiring.
$78 - $87 BILLION
LOSS IN GDP DUE TO EXCLUDING FORMERLY INCARCERATED JOB SEEKERS FROM THE WORKFORCE
NEARLY 78 MILLION AMERICANS, OR A QUARTER OF THE ENTIRE US POPULATION HAS A CRIMINAL RECORD. ADDITIONALLY, ONE-THIRD OF BLACK MEN HAVE A FELONY RECORD, COMPARED WITH JUST 8% OF THE GENERAL US ADULT POPULATION.
Second Chance Business Coalition
The Second Chance Business Coalition (SCBC) is a cross-sector coalition of large private-sector firms committed to expanding second chance hiring and advancement practices within their companies.
The Just Trust
Chan Zuckerberg Initiative
With an initial investment of $350 million over the next five years, The Just Trust will focus exclusively on criminal justice advocacy efforts, powering a broader community of leaders and organizations doing this work across the country and across political divides. It will fund efforts that put community health, safety and healing over punishment; that center racial and economic equity; and that include those most impacted at the heart of the movement for reform.
27%
UNEMPLOYMENT RATE FOR FORMERLY INCARCERATED PEOPLE
600,000
MEN AND WOMEN ARE RELEASED FROM JAIL EACH YEAR
Criminal Justice in America in 2022: Trends and Implications for Business Leaders
Tracy Velazquez, Pew Charitable Trusts
(Presented at the 2022 COSC Conference)
This presentation outlines the current state of criminal justice in the country and highlights the benefits of hiring people with previous convictions.
The Clean Slate Initiative
The Clean Slate Initiative is a national bipartisan coalition advancing policies to automatically clear all eligible criminal records across the United States. One in three Americans has some type of criminal record, and this can create lifelong barriers to opportunity for them and their families. A criminal record should not be a life sentence to poverty. The Clean Slate Initiative believes that people who have served their time deserve a fair shot at a better future. To better achieve equity, especially across race and income, we must transform a justice system that continues to create unnecessary barriers to employment, education, and housing. The Clean Slate Initiative works with state partners to help provide people with a fresh start.
Nearly half of U.S. children now have at least one parent with a criminal record, with negative consequences for children’s cognitive development, school performance, and even employment outcomes in adulthood.
INDIVIDUALS WHO PARTICIPATE IN ANY KIND OF EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM WHILE INCARCERATED ARE UP TO 43% LESS LIKELY TO REOFFEND AND RETURN TO PRISON
Second Chance Task Force
Maryland Chamber of Commerce
Over the course of the last several months, the Maryland Chamber Foundation has been actively engaged in seeking ways to address the challenges faced by the ex-offender community as these individuals prepare for and seek employment post-incarceration.
Kentucky Comeback
Kentucky Chamber Foundation
Kentucky Comeback's mission is to build a broad-based coalition to dramatically transform the state’s approach to addiction and criminal justice. The Chamber is asking Kentuckians to get involved to bring about real change and encourage the passage of new laws to help people write their comeback stories by making it easier for people to stay in recovery, offering opportunities for meaningful employment, keeping people out of prison, and helping those coming out of incarceration to become productive members of their communities once again.