Voice of the People: The Incarceration Cycle

According to the Census of State and Federal Correctional Facilities, in the year 2000 there were 1,305,253 million reported inmates in the U.S.; 163,383 of these inmates were placed in California. In 2008, this number increased to 1,430,208 million total reported inmates, and in California went up to 169,988 total reported inmates. The adult population serving time in prison is increasing over the years. By the end of 2007, 3.2% of all adults in the United States (1 in every 31) were under some form of correctional control involving probation, parole, prison, or jail. The Department of Justice’s Bureau of Justice Statistics has concluded that if incarceration rates do not decrease, approximately 6.6% of all persons born in the United States will serve time in state or federal prison during their lifetimes. Looking at these factors, it is vital to start making changes in our neighborhoods and provide empowerment to those who need opportunities to grow. Upon release ex-inmates have difficulty integrating back into society. Low socioeconomic status, unemployment, poverty, inadequate education, lack of resources, lack of adequate housing, poor health, and overall a lack of life opportunities are all variables that intertwine creating the cycle of incarceration. Needless to say, to confront such a cycle, one needs to recognize the relationship between these social issues and crime. One of the biggest barriers for individuals returning back to society after incarceration is finding employment. According to a major survey, 40% of employers will not consider a job applicant for employment once they are aware that the individual has a criminal record. AB 218, better known as the Ban the Box Campaign, strives to integrate released inmates back into society and communities. AB 218 proposes an opportunity for ex-inmates to obtain employment. The primary initiative of AB 218 involved removing the question on job applications regarding a person’s conviction history and delaying the background check. Removing this question on job applications will enable an ever-increasing population of ex-inmates to have a fair chance at presenting their qualifications in the initial hiring process, before having to disclose criminal convictions if necessary. This allows people who have criminal background checks to be judged on their merits, not on past convictions that might be unrelated. The aim is to allow opportunities for these individuals to become productive community members; hence breaking the incarceration cycle. The ‘Ban the Box’ campaign has made great strides, creating supporters who seek to aid society in combatting this incarceration issue. AB 218 has passed and as of July 1st, 2014, all public sectors will be mandated to incorporate AB 218; yet private sectors do not pertain to this. Although private sectors will not be mandated to incorporate AB 218, it is still a success for those who are combatting the incarceration issue and advocating for employment rights. AB 218 strives to reduce unnecessary barriers to employment for the estimated one in four adult Californians with a conviction history. AB 218 will increase public safety, as well as help with our struggling economic recovery. AB 218 will not be harmful to employers. It does not prevent employers from conducting a criminal background check, but instead provides an opportunity to hire based on applicants’ qualifications and skills. Reports from the Department of Justice and the National Education Association have shown that California spends about $47,000 per inmate, $56,000 per inmate in New York, and $34,000 in Michigan. These numbers are staggering, and yet hold more value once realizing that our taxes are spent on inmates. By implementing such policies as AB 218 that aid in integrating ex-inmates into society, is not only aiming to break the cycle of incarceration, but it is also a financial investment that will profit our communities. Supporting ex-inmates fight for employment promotes healthier and safer communities; by lowering recidivism rates and stopping the incarceration cycle. Ex-inmates have limited resources; closing all their doors will impede our growth as a community. Unemployment is an issue that is affecting all our youth, adults, and older adults. Our communities need to see the growing problem that is affecting all age groups when released from prison. If we do not give ex-inmates the chance, we are exposing them to failure. The national employment law project states, “It's a cause that resonates far and wide because, at its core, it's all about the basic right to work, to compete fairly for a job, and to do what's right for your family and your community.”