decision and 74 percent for non-violent felonies. 58 percent claim that they would allow the reason for their prior conviction before making a decision.
Theoretical Framework
The labeling theory examines the effects of labeling on basic everyday opportunities, specifically in regards to employment. Finding employment is vital for a positive transition from incarceration to re-entry back into society. Being officially labeled as ex-convict can spoil this transition (Davies & Tanner, 2003). It is well known that ex-convicts find it more difficult to find employment than others individuals. The logic of the labeling theory suggests that when a person is found guilty of crime it reduces status attainment. Lemert (1972) believed that public condemnation …show more content…
The investigators sent a group of well spoken, well dressed, clean shaven young men that they trained to apply for real life entry-level jobs around Milwaukee that required no experience and only a high school diploma. Jobs such as retail, telemarketers, stockers, clerical, etc. These men varied by race and criminal background. Some was given criminal records and some were not. They were given fictitious resumes with various work and educational skills, and fictitious criminal records. The men disclosed their criminal record when asked on the application, if they ever been convicted of a crime and why. Their response would be that they were in prison for 18 after being convicted of possession of cocaine and intent to distribute. The first result of the investigators found that a criminal record had a significant impact on ex-offender’s job opportunities by 50 percent, even if they were qualified for the job. The second result found that blacks with criminal convicts are much more largely affected those whites. 30 percent of whites with criminal records suffered and 60 percent of blacks with criminal records suffered; almost
Theoretical Framework
The labeling theory examines the effects of labeling on basic everyday opportunities, specifically in regards to employment. Finding employment is vital for a positive transition from incarceration to re-entry back into society. Being officially labeled as ex-convict can spoil this transition (Davies & Tanner, 2003). It is well known that ex-convicts find it more difficult to find employment than others individuals. The logic of the labeling theory suggests that when a person is found guilty of crime it reduces status attainment. Lemert (1972) believed that public condemnation …show more content…
The investigators sent a group of well spoken, well dressed, clean shaven young men that they trained to apply for real life entry-level jobs around Milwaukee that required no experience and only a high school diploma. Jobs such as retail, telemarketers, stockers, clerical, etc. These men varied by race and criminal background. Some was given criminal records and some were not. They were given fictitious resumes with various work and educational skills, and fictitious criminal records. The men disclosed their criminal record when asked on the application, if they ever been convicted of a crime and why. Their response would be that they were in prison for 18 after being convicted of possession of cocaine and intent to distribute. The first result of the investigators found that a criminal record had a significant impact on ex-offender’s job opportunities by 50 percent, even if they were qualified for the job. The second result found that blacks with criminal convicts are much more largely affected those whites. 30 percent of whites with criminal records suffered and 60 percent of blacks with criminal records suffered; almost