Guest Commentator: Sam Hanna, Regional Business Development Manager, Center for Employment Opportunities @ceoworks
Why should employers make an effort to break down employment barriers for those with previous involvement with the justice system?
Employing people who have been involved with the justice system cannot simply be considered part of a diversity and inclusion strategy, but should be integral to a business’s overall hiring and recruitment strategy. Over one-third of working-age U.S. adults have a criminal record, a disproportionate share of which are people of color. In Philadelphia, about 20% of people have been involved with the criminal justice system and about 60% of those returning home from incarceration are Black, 90% of them returning to communities of poverty.
It is simply inevitable that your talent pool will include those who have been previously incarcerated, so making an effort to break down barriers for this population should be seen as a growth strategy — specifically for labor positions in production, manufacturing, and warehousing, where this population has gained experience while incarcerated, only to have that experience dismissed due to a background check. Most candidates are not looking to compromise their freedom, but instead are searching for their opportunity to contribute.
Employers are often the “gatekeepers” to a returning citizen’s success. Formerly incarcerated people have served their time and thus their punishment should be over; however, background checks and a saturated labor market create barriers for taking that first step towards a stable path forward. The private sector is often one of the biggest hurdles to reducing recidivism but can also be one of the biggest aids in a person restarting their lives. A conduit to success is a “fair” chance at stable employment.
It should be seen as important to get ahead of the curve on this issue. Throughout the business world, the buzz of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion can be heard, which is forcing the private sector to better understand those most underserved and how simply fair chance hiring can help uplift a population.
The private sector has an opportunity to look at working with formerly incarcerated and justice-involved individuals as a path toward growth. Roughly 25,000 people are returning to the Philadelphia region each year from incarceration. This labor pool will continue to grow, giving the private sector the opportunity to open its doors to this population and directly impact the wealth inequality crisis.
The Chamber knows good, sound civic leadership is crucial to the success of our City. Through our Roadmap for Growth Action Team, we work to actively engage civic and neighborhood organizations in the development and execution of policies that enhance the economy and support an efficient and impactful government.
Upcoming Roadmap Program
[Virtual] The Upskilling and Reskilling Economy: A Roadmap for Growth Issue Forum
Tuesday, March 2, 2021 | 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. | Held via Zoom
Learn how your business can invest in workforce development programs, to fill roles in booming sectors, and to inclusively grow our economy from within. Hear from industry experts on initiatives that are working to reskill and improve the prospects of unemployed and underemployed Philadelphians, such as the Philadelphia Skills Forward Initiative.
