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Do post-prison job opportunities reduce recidivism?

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  • Kevin Schnepel

    (University of Sydney, Australia)

Abstract

The majority of individuals released from prison face limited employment opportunities and do not successfully reintegrate into society. The inability to find stable work is often cited as a key determinant of failed re-entry (or “recidivism”). However, empirical evidence that demonstrates a causal impact of job opportunities on recidivism is sparse. In fact, several randomized evaluations of employment-focused programs find increases in employment but little impact on recidivism. Recent evidence points to wages and job quality as important determinants of recidivism among former prisoners.

Suggested Citation

  • Kevin Schnepel, 2017. "Do post-prison job opportunities reduce recidivism?," IZA World of Labor, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA), pages 399-399, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izawol:journl:y:2017:n:399
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Manudeep Bhuller & Gordon B. Dahl & Katrine V. Løken & Magne Mogstad, 2020. "Incarceration, Recidivism, and Employment," Journal of Political Economy, University of Chicago Press, vol. 128(4), pages 1269-1324.
    2. Gary S. Becker, 1974. "Crime and Punishment: An Economic Approach," NBER Chapters, in: Essays in the Economics of Crime and Punishment, pages 1-54, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    3. Roberto Galbiati & Aurélie Ouss & Arnaud Philippe, 2021. "Jobs, News and Reoffending after Incarceration [Examining the generality of the unemployment–crime association]," The Economic Journal, Royal Economic Society, vol. 131(633), pages 247-270.
    4. Matthew Freedman & Emily G. Owens, 2016. "Your Friends and Neighbors: Localized Economic Development and Criminal Activity," The Review of Economics and Statistics, MIT Press, vol. 98(2), pages 233-253, May.
    5. Kevin T. Schnepel, 2018. "Good Jobs and Recidivism," Economic Journal, Royal Economic Society, vol. 128(608), pages 447-469, February.
    6. Steven Raphael, 2014. "The New Scarlet Letter? Negotiating the U.S. Labor Market with a Criminal Record," Books from Upjohn Press, W.E. Upjohn Institute for Employment Research, number nsc, November.
    7. Mustard, David B., 2010. "How Do Labor Markets Affect Crime? New Evidence on an Old Puzzle," IZA Discussion Papers 4856, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    8. Yang, Crystal S., 2017. "Local labor markets and criminal recidivism," Journal of Public Economics, Elsevier, vol. 147(C), pages 16-29.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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    Cited by:

    1. Wong Yuen Nee & Jugindar Singh Kartar Singh & Janitha Kularajasingam, 2022. "Exploring the Perceptions of Malaysian Employers Towards Hiring Ex-Offenders," Journal of Public Administration and Governance, Macrothink Institute, vol. 12(3), pages 118-118, December.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    crime; recidivism; prisoner re-entry; employment;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • J23 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Labor Demand
    • J24 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity
    • K42 - Law and Economics - - Legal Procedure, the Legal System, and Illegal Behavior - - - Illegal Behavior and the Enforcement of Law

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