EPISODE · Dec 7, 2021 · 20 MIN
Now hiring! Formerly incarcerated people
from Headlines From The Times · host Gustavo Arellano, Kasia Broussalian, Shannon Lin, Denise Guerra, Lauren Raab, Mario Diaz, Shani Hilton, Melissa Kaplan
There are about 20 million people in the United States with felony records and unemployment rates among the formerly incarcerated is especially high — 27%, a few years ago, according to the Prison Policy Initiative. Compare that with the overall unemployment rate around the same time, which was less than 4%. The stigma of a criminal record has long influenced this reality, but with the Great Resignation unfolding before us, the situation for these folks seems to be looking up. Today, we'll hear from L.A. Times business reporter Don Lee, who has written about the issue, and from someone who's working to connect formerly incarcerated people with jobs — and who was formerly incarcerated himself. More reading: Once shunned, people convicted of felonies find more employers open to hiring them Tight job market is good for felons, people with disabilities and others who are hard to employ. But can it last?Visit the Honest Jobs website
What this episode covers
Businesses long rejected applicants with criminal convictions. The current tight job market is changing things
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Now hiring! Formerly incarcerated people
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