The prevailing misconception that hiring an ex-offender posed a hazard risk was put to rest by a study commissioned by the Justice Department. The study included those arrested for serious crimes, including robbery and aggravated assault.The study was done by Carnegie Mellon investigators.
Examining 88,000 arrestees throughout the state of New York, the investigators discovered that the hazard rate of arrestees diminished at the same rate as those in the general population group. The calculations were partially based on how long the subject remained free from re-arrest, as well as other factors. An example was given that showed that an 18 year old who was arrested for robbery had the same decline rate as an 18 year old in the general population. That decline rate was 7 1/2 years, whereas an 18 year old who commited aggravated assault had a decline rate of 4 years.
The study is an important measure in allaying a potential employer's reluctance in hiring an ex-offender based on fear of the hazard rate. There is optimism that the study will also bring about a legislative change that will limit the liability risk of employers that hire ex-offenderd.
600,000 prisoners will be released this year, and most of them will be searching for a job. The hope is that employers will no longer view ex-offenders as employment risks after viewing the hazard rate study. Representative Danny Davis, D-Ill., a key figure in supporting successful reentry initiatives, and a sponsor of the Second Chance Act, deemed the Justice Department's study as having the power to encourage employers to hire ex-offenders.
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