I love data, but data with the power to change lives is the best!"
—Dr. Kathy Paulson-Gjerde, Professor of Economics,
Butler University's Lacy School of Business
Historically, employers have not exactly jumped at the chance to hire those who have been incarcerated. It is true even now, in spite of the facts that we have 100,000 open jobs in Indiana, that we can save about $2 million in taxpayer dollars for every one percent reduction in recidivism, and that recidivism plummets from around 80 percent to 5 percent when these folks are employed.It became pretty clear we would have to provide evidence that justice-involved individuals can make good employees. The anecdotal evidence was already there, but statistical evidence was needed. So along with others, UNITE INDY approached Butler's Lacy School of Business to undertake a landmark study under the auspices of Dr. Kathy Paulson-Gjerde, and after months of effort the findings are in, and they are not only good, they are surprising.
Here's the good: When controlling for work experience and demographics, there was no statistically significant difference in the performance of employees with or without convictions. Here's the surprise: Those with more serious felony convictions were far more likely to be rated "above average" than former offenders with low-level misdemeanor convictions. Paulson-Gjerde says, "This finding is of critical significance, because those with felony convictions are often the ones that face the greatest negative stigma in the workplace."
In the book MORE GOD, LESS CRIME by criminologist Byron R. Johnson, he sites study after study that supports the positive effect of faith-based training programs and mentors as deterrents to crime, as well as working to reverse previous criminal behaviors. Not coincidentally that's exactly what we do. UNITE INDY prepares inmates, prior to release, with Jobs for Life classes that incorporate God's plan for us to work and care for others. Our mentors walk with reentrants through the class work and the entire re-entry process. Then we connect them with jobs through SecondChanceIndy.com.
We are doing our part. Now it's up to you. If you have a job you think we can help you fill, please become an employer partner on SecondChanceIndy.com and post your job openings. If you need help or have questions, contact us here. The statistics are in.
Let's change some lives,
Jim
