Why Small Business Owners Should Hire Formerly Incarcerated People

Small business owners are always looking for dependable employees who ae ready to learn, contribute and grow. People who have been formerly incarcerated deserve the opportunity to demonstrate their skills, commitment, and potential. By looking beyond a criminal record and considering qualifications, work ethic, and willingness to learn, employers can help open doors to meaningful employment while strengthening their businesses and communities.

Finding a job after incarceration can be challenging. A U.S. Bureau of Justice Statistics found that 33% of the people released from federal prison in 2010 had no recorded employment during the following four years. Small businesses can make a difference by giving qualified applicants a fair chance to work, rebuild their lives, and support their families.

Having a job is an essential part of rebuilding a productive life. For the 70 million Americans with a criminal record, there are thousands of legal barriers to employment. One important reason small businesses should hire formerly incarcerated people is because they have a better chance at gaining an employee who is less likely to quit. These individuals

are ready and willing to work, often taking advantage of opportunities that present stability because of their limited job options.

By hiring formerly incarcerated people, small business owners can help reduce recidivism in their communities. Returning citizens are people with families and loved ones just like many of us and they deserve the same opportunities. Hiring a person who has experienced incarceration would be a great chance to gain a hardworking employee, as well as positively impacting someone’s life.