Do Work Barriers for Justice-Impacted Individuals Incentivize Criminal Behavior?

Authors

  • Thomas Snyder University of Central Arkansas
  • Zachary Burt Arkansas Center for Research in Economics
  • Caleb Vines University of Central Arkansas

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.33423/jabe.v25i4.6337

Keywords:

business, economics, collateral consequences, occupational licensing, justice-impacted individuals, unemployment, incarceration rate

Abstract

This study explores the legal barriers created by state governments for justice-impacted individuals. The more work barriers the state creates for someone with a criminal record, the more attractive illegal activities become. We examine differences across states in the data set provided by the National Inventory of Collateral Consequences of Conviction. We compare incarceration rates, unemployment rates, and labor force participation rates to the number of rules that affect someone with a criminal background. Our results predict that states with more collateral consequences will have higher per-capita imprisonment, higher unemployment, and lower labor force participation rates.

Downloads

Published

2023-08-25

How to Cite

Snyder, T., Burt, Z., & Vines, C. (2023). Do Work Barriers for Justice-Impacted Individuals Incentivize Criminal Behavior?. Journal of Applied Business and Economics, 25(4). https://doi.org/10.33423/jabe.v25i4.6337

Issue

Section

Articles