Barriers to Employment for Offenders and Ex-offenders

Résumé du livre

This research explores the evidence on the level, pattern and causes of unemployment among people with a criminal record (PwCR) in the UK, with a focus on the recruitment stage of the hiring process and the impact of knowledge of a criminal record on the decision to employ. The Police Act of 1977 introduced 'Basic Disclosure" which authorised employers, with the consent of the individual, to access information on job applicants' and employees' criminal records. A new piece of legislation, the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act, soon to come into force, will alter that ability, and for some PwCR, the Act will allow them to put their criminal record entirely behind them. The causes of unemployment among PwCrs is assumed to be high. However research shows that part of this group - those in prison, and those under probation supervision - exhibit characteristics associated with employment difficulties, such as low qualifications and drug and alcohol abuse. Irrespective of criminal record, this group would be expected to suffer above average levels of unemployment. What impact, then, does the criminal record alone have?