Reentry and Reducing Recidivism Through Employment
Today, as many as 1 in 3 Americans have a criminal record, these individuals can find themselves in a cycle of recidivism largely because when someone has a conviction history, their job application is met with greater scrutiny and bias.
Why fair chance hiring can help reduce recidivism
Employment is the single most important influence on decreasing recidivism. Fair chance hiring isn’t just a strategic move to widen your funnel of top talent, it’s also an opportunity to change lives, end cycles of recidivism and create positive social change.
Fair Chance Impact
Communities, Companies, and Individuals
Giving individuals a fair chance at employment doesn’t just help that individual, the ripple effect is wide.
- 82% of managers feel that the “quality of fair chance talent” is about the same or higher than that of workers without records (SHRM)
- Employees with records had a 13% lower turnover rate, saving companies money (Source)
- 81% of individuals who had a criminal conviction did not commit a new reportable offense within year 1 (Checkr Reoffense Data Study)
The Reentry Simulation
Our virtual Reentry Simulation will give you a brief chance to walk in the shoes of someone reentering society. You will discover some of the barriers to reclaiming normalcy, such as getting a stable job, a place to live, and support networks.
This is a simulation but it is real life for over 600,000 Americans who work to reenter society every year. This is only one example of what the process of reentry is like, there are many ways that this can be much harder for individuals trying to balance this process based on their state and local laws.
Before you get started:
- This is a simulation but it can be triggering for anyone who has had to navigate this process themselves or has friends and family that are impacted by incarceration.
- There is no one who has less control over their life than a person trying to reenter society—don’t turn your phone off, don’t close your office door, don’t block on potential distractions.
- Go with your gut, don’t think about what is “right,” think about what you truly would do in the situation you are presented with.
Business leaders are critical agents of change who can uproot mistakes of the past by simply ensuring a more equitable and fair assessment in the hiring process.
Business leaders are critical agents of change who can uproot mistakes of the past by simply ensuring a more equitable and fair assessment in the hiring process.
Additional resources
Checkr’s emphasis on diversity and belonging
We share our experiences with these topics, along with the mistakes we’ve made and the success we’ve seen.
Checkr Reentry Challenge: Reflection Guide
Use this guide to reflect on the Reentry Challenge and share your thoughts with your company.
The Diversity Group You’re Overlooking: How to be a Fair Chance Employer
Learn how to build a fair chance hiring plan for your organization.
Ready to start your fair chance journey?
Contact us with any questions or to see how Checkr can help establish fair chance hiring as part of your business.
