The Personas of People with Records
The post-pandemic world has brought many changes, including a shift in the demographic makeup of those who have been involved with the judicial system.
The people returning to our workforce today look very different from those who exited the system 30 years ago. Understanding this shift is vital for employers and community leaders looking to tap into this segment of the working class.
The Intake: Shifting Demographics
Since 1970, prison populations have increased 500%. While numbers briefly fell during the pandemic, they are currently trending upward. This influx has altered the profile of the incarcerated population. The expansion of the system has decreased the disparity between White and Black incarceration rates, driven largely by an increase in arrests within the White population.
Additionally, by 1999, 10% of American men had a history of incarceration. With the peak imprisonment age between 25 and 44, a significant portion of men have spent their prime working years inside. However, regardless of age, a lack of a high school diploma remains the most cited commonality among arrestees.
The Exit: An Experienced Workforce
The National Corrections Reporting Program (NCRP) reveals distinct trends among the 650,000 people released annually. First, they are older. In 1990, less than 33% of those released were over age 34. By 2020, that figure rose to over 50%. Notably, releases of individuals over age 55 have hit double digits for the first time. Second, they have served longer. Those being released today have spent 15% more time inside than those released in 1990.
The "average" person leaving the correctional system today is likely a middle-aged man. While he may need formal educational support, he often returns with valuable on-the-job skills gained during his extended sentence and he is almost always ready to make the most of a second chance. This is the changing face of re-entry and the person who is returning to our communities.
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