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Making Desistance Recognizable: How Ex-Offenders Can Signal Their Desistance From Crime to Employers by Strategic Design

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  • Suzanne E Reich

Abstract

One of the primary concerns employers hold about hiring an ex-offender is the potential reoffending risk they pose. However, criminological literature shows that an ex-offender may be able to mitigate employers’ concerns by signalling their desistance from crime. Less understood is how ex-offenders can signal their desistance to (a) make desistance recognizable and (2) communicate desistance signals that employers value. This article draws on the results from the second phase of an Explanatory Sequential Mixed Methods study with a sample of Australian employers who participated in semi-structured interviews (n = 43). The findings show desistance signals can be communicated to employers via strategic design. These findings along with the theoretical and policy implications are then discussed.

Suggested Citation

  • Suzanne E Reich, 2023. "Making Desistance Recognizable: How Ex-Offenders Can Signal Their Desistance From Crime to Employers by Strategic Design," The British Journal of Criminology, Centre for Crime and Justice Studies, vol. 63(5), pages 1274-1292.
    • Handle: RePEc:oup:crimin:v:63:y:2023:i:5:p:1274-1292.
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    File URL: http://hdl.handle.net/10.1093/bjc/azac094
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Jamie Peck & Nik Theodore, 2008. "Carceral Chicago: Making the Ex‐offender Employability Crisis," International Journal of Urban and Regional Research, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 32(2), pages 251-281, June.
    2. Heckman, James J. & Kautz, Tim, 2012. "Hard evidence on soft skills," Labour Economics, Elsevier, vol. 19(4), pages 451-464.
    3. Sheely, Amanda, 2020. "Criminal justice involvement and employment outcomes among women," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 100986, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.
    4. Michael Spence, 1973. "Job Market Signaling," The Quarterly Journal of Economics, President and Fellows of Harvard College, vol. 87(3), pages 355-374.
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    1. O'Connor, Kiera & Santos, Mateus R. & Jaynes, Chae M., 2023. "How prior experience and belief in redeemability impact employers' willingness to hire applicants with a criminal record," Journal of Criminal Justice, Elsevier, vol. 89(C).

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