Research supports the common sense notion that employment reduces recidivism. A good job provides necessary financial support, as well as an alternative to criminal activity, and helps individuals reintegrate into their families and communities. From the state's perspective, employment of former prisoners increases state tax revenues, reduces family financial instability and dependency on public assistance and increases the economic viability of the communities to which individuals return. Finding and keeping a job, however, is one of the most difficult challenges people returning home face, given limited education and work experience, employer biases against hiring those with criminal records, and many legal restrictions.

In addition to supporting training and education programs, there are several low cost steps that the state and localities can take to increase employment for those returning home and hopefully to the workforce:

* Ban the Box

In cities around the country, executive authorities and municipal councils are encouraging fair employment practices in the private sector by modeling in public sector employment how employers should treat job applicants and employees with criminal records where no explicit legal restriction applies. 'Ban the Box' laws eliminate the criminal record question (the 'box' to be checked) from employment applications, including a background check only where it is relevant. In addition to reaching high quality applicants who might otherwise be missed, this approach reduces hiring delays caused by too many background checks encourages rehabilitation by giving individuals a reason to develop the skills needed to qualify for public employment, and models fair practices for private employers to implement.

These 'ban the box' policies have typically started with the removal of the criminal history question from city employment applications (the box that applicants must check indicating if they have a criminal record), but also include other key policy changes that allow for consideration of a criminal record in the context of other achievements and qualifications and the requirements of the job. Click here to download a 'ban the box' overview.

* Extend Discrimination Protections

While certain jobs may be inappropriate for individuals with particular convictions, New Jersey should follow the lead of other states and amend the Law Against Discrimination to prohibit discrimination in employment decisions based solely on a criminal record where there is no specific job-related reason for the action. New Jersey already prohibits such discrimination by all licensing authorities. A reasonable approach would be to extend this protection to cover all employers of more than 10 employees.

* Restricted Use Driver's License

Most license suspensions in New Jersey are imposed for financial reasons, not dangerous driving, and these suspensions are imposed most frequently in poor, minority neighborhoods, according to the Motor Vehicle Commission's Affordability and Fairness Task Force. A common problem for individuals leaving prison, the lack of license can be a major barrier to employment. Most states (forty in all) have instituted some form of limited use driver's license, to permit those under suspension to drive for work, job training or education, or health reasons while paying off outstanding fees. Such a license would be available to all New Jerseyans, not only those with criminal records.