The Workforce Impact of Second Chance Hiring
A deep dive into data shows increasing employment of millions of formerly incarcerated individuals, or those with a criminal record, would bolster the country's workforce and create opportunities for those who need a second chance.
The current labor market presents a complex landscape for businesses. The U.S. labor force participation rate is presently at 62.7%, indicating that 62.7% of the working-age, non-institutionalized population is either employed or actively seeking employment.Had the labor force participation rate remained at its February 2020 level, millions more individuals would be part of the workforce today. This shortage is affecting all industries across nearly every state. Even if every unemployed worker filled an open position in their industry, well over a million jobs would still remain vacant.
A significant portion of our potential workforce is sidelined due to high conviction rates, community supervision, and imprisonment. This issue is substantial, as the United States has the highest number of incarcerated individuals in the world.
Our America Works Data Center captures these national workforce trends. This page explores new data revealing how limited opportunities for individuals with criminal records are reducing workforce participation rates and contributing to the worker shortage. Learn More...
