Restriction of Rights Post Incarceration

600,000 individuals re-enter society from prison every year, and ¾ of them will be rearrested within five years. This is due to the lack of preparation, assistance, and rights previously incarcerated people receive when returning to society. One third of American adults have a criminal record, and there exists 50,000 legal restrictions for those with a criminal past. Even a minor criminal infraction limits employment, housing, and social services. 

Employers are reluctant to hire those with a criminal record, as only 12.5 percent of employers said they would review an application from an ex-convict. Offenders with identical professional experience as non-offenders were half as likely to receive job offers. This is protected by the law, as states permit employers to deny jobs to previously arrested individuals. Offenders are also unable to obtain professional and technical licenses, and a lot of previously incarcerated individuals have not completed high school and college. When an previously incarcerated individual does find a job, it is typically at much lower wages then what they received prior to their sentence. Unemployment often causes people to reoffend, and is the biggest factor in recidivism. 

Additionally, the strict housing policies and stigma around incarceration makes it very hard for offenders to secure housing, especially affordable housing. Private market rental housing associations have laws against renting to those with a criminal record and those with felony convictions are ineligible for public housing. In addition, the stigma surrounding incarceration makes it so housing administrators think they are required to turn down applicants with a criminal record. This barrier to housing often leads previously incarcerated individuals to homelessness and recommitting. 

States also ban those convicted of felonies from being eligible for federal funded public assistance and food stamps. Even if one has completed their sentence and attended rehabilitation, they are unable to receive public assistance and are unable to apply for federal grants. Not offering support to those reentering society from prison is also a leading cause of recidivism. 

The law also denies access to a lot of other civil rights for the previously incarcerated. In some states, those with a criminal record can’t serve on juries, become foster parents, become a cosmetologist, visit certain countries, get a new driver's license, or have jobs in healthcare to name a few. Limiting access to basic rights and help sets ex-offenders up to fail upon reentering society, often leading them to end up in jail once again. Employment, housing, and public assistance is essential and should be available to everyone.