Conceptualization of an Ex-Offender
Conceptualization of African American Ex-Offenders and Job Placement
Conceptualization of African American Ex-Offenders and Job Placement
"For nearly forty years, the United States has been gripped by policies that have placed more than 2.5 million Americans in jails and prisons designed to hold a fraction of that number of inmates. Our prisons are not only vast and overcrowded, they are degrading—relying on racist gangs, lockdowns, and Supermax-style segregation units to maintain a tenuous order. In short, mass incarceration has proven to be a fiscal and penological disaster. (Simon, J. 2012).”
Currently the United States is experiencing the tremendous fiscal impact of mass incarceration policies that have been in place since the 1990’s. According to research done by Clunis (2011) more than seven million people are under the jurisdiction of the criminal justice system in the U.S. It is estimated that approximately 735,000 ex-offenders return home every year. Despite the flooding of ex-offenders that are released annually, the U.S. continues to neglect the need for reentry policies that would prepare both communities and the ex-offenders for a return to civil society. Specifically the incarceration rate reported by Clunis (2011) for Black males is seven times that of white males. Thus, an unequal number of ex-offenders returning home from prison each year are Black males. Ex-offenders face a plethora of barriers to successful reentry. However, the biggest challenge for this population is obtaining employment that pays a livable wage.
Historically, African Americans have been a suppressed population. Beginning as an enslaved people and on into the 21st century, they have continually had to fight for equal rights, as well as combat issues of segregation and inequality within societal, academic, and employment circles - all of which help maintain barriers to equal opportunity and success. In 1990, the African American population represented about 13 percent
Conceptualization of African American Ex-Offenders and Job Placement
"For nearly forty years, the United States has been gripped by policies that have placed more than 2.5 million Americans in jails and prisons designed to hold a fraction of that number of inmates. Our prisons are not only vast and overcrowded, they are degrading—relying on racist gangs, lockdowns, and Supermax-style segregation units to maintain a tenuous order. In short, mass incarceration has proven to be a fiscal and penological disaster. (Simon, J. 2012).”
Currently the United States is experiencing the tremendous fiscal impact of mass incarceration policies that have been in place since the 1990’s. According to research done by Clunis (2011) more than seven million people are under the jurisdiction of the criminal justice system in the U.S. It is estimated that approximately 735,000 ex-offenders return home every year. Despite the flooding of ex-offenders that are released annually, the U.S. continues to neglect the need for reentry policies that would prepare both communities and the ex-offenders for a return to civil society. Specifically the incarceration rate reported by Clunis (2011) for Black males is seven times that of white males. Thus, an unequal number of ex-offenders returning home from prison each year are Black males. Ex-offenders face a plethora of barriers to successful reentry. However, the biggest challenge for this population is obtaining employment that pays a livable wage.
Historically, African Americans have been a suppressed population. Beginning as an enslaved people and on into the 21st century, they have continually had to fight for equal rights, as well as combat issues of segregation and inequality within societal, academic, and employment circles - all of which help maintain barriers to equal opportunity and success. In 1990, the African American population represented about 13 percent
References: Beauchamp, T.L. & Bowie, N.E. (1993). Ethical Theory and Business, 4th ed. Englewood Cliff, NJ: Prentice-Hall, Inc. Chima, F.O. (1999). Employee assistance roles in managing workplace diversity. Employee Assistance Quarterly, Vol. 15, No. 1. Henderson, G. (1994). Cultural diversity in the workplace: Issues and Strategies. Westport, Connecticut: Praeger. Jongsma, A., Peterson, L.M., & Bruce, T. (2006). The Complete Adult Psychotherapy Treatment Planner. 4th ed., John Wiley & Sons, Inc. pp. 298-300. Leymann, H McFate, K. (1995). Introduction: Western States in the New World Order. In K. McFate; R. Lawson, & W. Wilson (ed.). Poverty, inequality, and the future of social policy. Western States in the New World Order, N.Y. – Russell Sage Foundation. Schiraldi, V. & Ziederberg, J. (2002). Cellblocks or Classrooms?: The funding of higher education and it’s impact on African American Men. Washington, D.C. The Justice Policy Institute. Simon, J Stroman, C.A. & Seltzer, R. (1991). Racial differences in coping with job stress: A research note. Handbook on job stress (special issue). Journal of Social Behavior and Personality, 6(7), 309-3 18. Swanson, J. & Fouad, N. (2010). Career Theory and Practice: Learning through case studies. 2nd Ed. Sage Publications, Thousand Oaks, CA. Thomas, R., Jr Tomaskovic-Devey, D. (1993). Gender and racial inequality at work: The sources and consequences of job segregation. Ithaca, NY. Cornell University, ILR Press. Western, B., Schiraldi, V., & Ziederberg, J. (2003). Education and Incarceration. Justice Policy Institute, Washington, D.C. |