Several criminological theories identify employment as an important “turning point” that decreases the likelihood of engaging in criminal behavior; however, studies have found the effect of employment on recidivism to be small. Recent scholarship has suggested a compelling explanation for these findings; it is not just any jobs, but good jobs, that improve outcomes, and policies and programs should prioritize helping individuals with criminal records build skills that are valued on the middle-skill workforce. To this end, recent policy initiatives intended to expand college access to incarcerated students have been proposed—and passed—with broad bipartisan support. Still, there is little research to confirm that credentials conferred by postsecondary carceral education programs increase the likelihood that returning citizens will secure high-quality employment.
The current study intends to address this gap in the literature by employing a résumé audit methodology in one labor market (greater Chicago, IL). I applied to over 2500 middle-skill job advertisements using the resumes of fictional applicants with criminal records. Resumes varied on (1) one of three possible educational credentials, including two postsecondary credentials and one secondary credential earned while incarcerated, and (2) two possible race conditions (black or white). The results suggest that employers are more likely to extend an interview for a middle-skills job to individuals who earn bachelor’s degrees—but not sub-baccalaureate certificates—while incarcerated relative to those who earn a General Educational Development (GED) diploma. Additionally, applicants with relevant work experience and a bachelor’s degree experienced the highest rates of callback. Finally, bachelor’s degrees appear to increase the likelihood of receiving a callback to a job that offers a living wage. Contrary to the findings of other correspondence audit studies, I do not find evidence of a main race effect; however, these results do appear to be consistent with other audit studies specifically testing the impact of college credentials and criminal records on hiring outcomes.
This study, although by no means exhaustive, is an important step toward understanding the value of these credentials, which will in turn allow stakeholders to make more informed, strategic investments to help address cycles of poverty and inequality and encourage desistance.
(Author abstract provided.)