NCJ Number
82389
Date Published
1980
Length
32 pages
Annotation
This paper explores whether the poor post-prison employment experiences of ex-offenders arise from their general disadvantage as low-skilled workers with little previous experience or from specific disadvantages from being ex-offenders.
Abstract
The study sample consists of males released from Maryland's State prisons to the Baltimore area. These former inmates had low financial resources, were repeat offenders, had no known history of alcohol or narcotic abuses, and had not been on work release for more than 3 months. About 87 percent of the sample was black; the average age was 24, and the average time served in prison was approximately 4 years. Work experience averaged 17.5 months. Data analysis revealed that at the end of the year following release from prison, 61 percent of the sample had been unemployed for at least 1 month; nearly 20 percent had been unemployed for 6 months or more. For each month, a logistic equation was estimated for the probability of being unemployed the entire month. Except in the first month, the previous month's unemployment had a strong effect on current unemployment. Previous work experience had a negative significant effect in only 5 months. Criminal history had a weak effect on post-prison performance. Post-prison experiences are the most important in determining long-term employment success or failure, although it is not possible to identify the precise reason why this is the case. Notes, 9 tables, and 12 references are provided.