Supporting Justice Impacted Individuals
in Washington State
Are Background Checks Preventing You From Getting Hired?
SERVICES
Cover Letter & Resume Assistance
Second Chance Job Placement
Personalized Job Search Guidance
Interview Coaching
Networking Support
Mentorship
STATISTICS
The Bureau of Justice Statistics reports that nearly 60% of formerly incarcerated individuals face unemployment, a stark contrast to the 3.7% unemployment rate for the general population (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2022). A 2021 study by the Bureau of Justice Statistics, which tracked over 50,000 individuals released from federal prison in 2010, found that during a four-year period, only 40% of formerly incarcerated individuals were employed at any given time. Furthermore, those who managed to find work often struggled to maintain stable employment.
Each year, over 600,000 individuals are released from state and federal prisons, and an additional nine million are released from local jails. Within three years of their release, about two-thirds of these individuals are rearrested, and more than 50% are reincarcerated.
To reduce recidivism rates, it is crucial for formerly incarcerated individuals to access stable, high-quality employment. However, research shows that their unemployment rate is five times higher than that of the general population. Employment offers numerous benefits to justice-involved individuals, including increased self-esteem, a stronger sense of identity, and greater stability in avoiding criminal behavior.
Hiring formerly incarcerated individuals can demonstrate a commitment to nondiscriminatory practices, potentially qualify employers for tax credits and bonding services, expand the applicant pool, and reduce training costs—especially for those who have completed job training programs while incarcerated. Communities also benefit when people with criminal records secure meaningful employment: poverty rates decline, tax revenue increases, and families are strengthened as the collateral consequences of incarceration are reduced.
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