Ban the Box: Should We Banish the Criminal History Check Box from Job Applications?

1 in 3 adults in the United States have a criminal record, which offers significant challenges to these individuals, including reentering the job market after incarceration. Over the years, there’s been a push for “Ban the Box” policies that call for removing questions asking about criminal history on job applications to give former offenders a fair chance by delaying background checks until later in the hiring process. Those who are against early screening argue that former offenders shouldn’t continue to be punished by the system, especially when it disproportionally affects minorities. It also prevents applicants from contributing and reintegrating into society and reducing dependency on social services. Those who disagree and say that screening a job applicant’s criminal history is important, argue that employers have a responsibility to ensure the safety of their business, employees, and customers and make informed hiring decisions. Without early screening, some recent studies show that employers might unconsciously resort to biased assumptions or stereotypes when evaluating candidates.
With this context, we debate Ban the Box: Should We Banish the Criminal History Check Box from Job Applications?
Arguing Yes: Beth Avery, Senior Staff Attorney at the National Employment Law Project
Arguing No: Jennifer Doleac, Executive Vice President of Criminal Justice at Arnold Ventures
Emmy award-winning journalist John Donvan moderates
#opentodebate #debate #criminaljustice #criminalrecord #Employers #banthebox
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Пікірлер: 18

  • @OpentoDebate
    @OpentoDebateАй бұрын

    Explore our latest newsletter insights and debater editorials. Ban the Box? Read here: opentodebate.org/ban-the-box-newsletter-should-we-banish-the-criminal-history-check-box-from-job-applications/ Sign up for our weekly newsletters here: opentodebate.org/newsletter/

  • @armanshaghi
    @armanshaghiАй бұрын

    Another interesting debate - thank you for hosting it

  • @donogara8758
    @donogara8758Ай бұрын

    Funny, you can't get a job as a dishwasher in the hotel/ casino's here in Las Vegas, but you can hold public office with a conviction!!..

  • @The21Quest
    @The21QuestАй бұрын

    I run a cab company, and a lot of vulnerable young women wind up in my cabs, in enclosed close proximity to the drivers I hire. Many are in compromised states, such as being drunk or weak from illness, depending on me to provide them a SAFE ride to where they are going. That rules out sex offenders, 100%. I will not hire them, and I'm not sorry about it. My drivers also know when our regular customers will be home, when they'll be at work, and when they'll be out of town and for how long. That rules out those with residential theft or burglary convictions. Again, I will not hire them, and if you tell me I can't ask them about these things, it makes no difference to me, because I make the background check one of the FIRST parts of the hiring process. My customers count on me to provide them with drivers who are safe and trustworthy, and no law or regulation is going to stop me from ensuring that that's exactly what I do. Because there is zero chance of me hiring people with certain job-relevant convictions, it is a colossal waste of not only MY time and money to be forced to go further along in the hiring process before getting to a point where I'm allowed to check that, but the applicant's time and hopes being raised unfairly as well.

  • @anneofgreengables587
    @anneofgreengables587Ай бұрын

    I think the box should remain. Criminal history is important and protects the innocent people around the released criminal. When you work with people or let them near your children you know a background check has been done. If companies employ criminals they should inform their customers and give people the choice especially if the job is customer facing.

  • @user-wp8yx
    @user-wp8yxАй бұрын

    Who is ok with sending their children to school to be taught by a convicted rapists? Who wants their nurse or landlord(who has the keys to your apartment), to be a convicted murderer? Who wants their banker to be convicted of financial fraud?

  • @SINYC02

    @SINYC02

    Ай бұрын

    We should approach the debate on banning the criminal history box with logic rather than emotion. Recidivism rates show that convicted individuals, like sex offenders, are statistically less likely to reoffend, making the real concern those who have never been caught. Moreover, those who have served their sentences need opportunities for reintegration. By denying them these opportunities, we risk hindering their rehabilitation and, ironically, increase the likelihood of recidivism. A balanced approach involves assessing candidates on their qualifications first and considering their criminal history in a context that genuinely affects their job capability.

  • @user-wp8yx

    @user-wp8yx

    Ай бұрын

    @@SINYC02 You say recidivism rates show they are less likely to offend. Less likely than who? Then you say, by denying jobs to them they are more likely to reoffend?? Please clarify. And not to be a bother, but can you link to some story or paper about these studies? Having a local attorney who proposes the same I have tried to look, but I honestly cannot find these studies.

  • @SINYC02

    @SINYC02

    Ай бұрын

    @@user-wp8yx Recidivism rates refer to the likelihood of a former convict committing another crime after release. Studies indicate that these rates are generally lower for individuals who find stable employment post-incarceration compared to those who do not. By 'less likely,' I mean compared to their likelihood of reoffending without employment. Denying jobs increases the risk of recidivism because stable employment is a key factor in successful reintegration. It provides not only financial stability but also a sense of purpose and community." Regarding the request for sources, here are a few renowned studies and articles that discuss recidivism rates and the impact of employment on formerly incarcerated individuals: 1. The National Institute of Justice provides various resources and publications on recidivism which include broad statistics and findings on factors influencing reoffense rates. 2. The Bureau of Justice Statistics regularly publishes studies that track recidivism rates across different states and demographic groups. 3. "The Mark of a Criminal Record" by Devah Pager is a seminal study that demonstrates how criminal records significantly reduce the likelihood of getting hired, affecting reintegration efforts. 4. "Reducing Recidivism: States Deliver Results," a report by the National Reentry Resource Center, showcases successful state programs that have effectively lowered recidivism rates through employment and other supportive measures.

  • @Seven_1865

    @Seven_1865

    Ай бұрын

    @@SINYC02obviously we should be concerned with criminals who have never been caught but that is not the issue. Why would you want to ignore evidence that a potential employer may be a liability to your business? Sure, it might be hard on the convict, but that is not the concern of the business owner. Does society owe convicts the benefit of the doubt just because the served an arbitrary prison term? I don’t really think so.

  • @SINYC02

    @SINYC02

    Ай бұрын

    @@user-wp8yx Here is a study from the National Institute of Health: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8553259/ The study examines the recidivism rates of sex offenders managed under the Dangerous Prisoners (Sexual Offenders) Act 2003 in Queensland, Australia, finding a low overall recidivism rate of 7.69%.

  • @cmdkaboom
    @cmdkaboomАй бұрын

    Why would you ban that. Someone who has a criminal record shows that they have a judgment weakness/issue and a company may not want that in their ecosystem. Actions have consequences for the rest of your life

  • @SINYC02

    @SINYC02

    Ай бұрын

    Actions do have consequences, but it's also important to allow for rehabilitation and change. Banning the criminal history box allows us to assess individuals on their current qualifications first. This approach supports reintegration and reduces recidivism by giving reformed individuals a fair chance to contribute positively. Businesses can still make informed decisions with more comprehensive evaluations later in the hiring process.

  • @thegreat254

    @thegreat254

    Ай бұрын

    Sounds like you may be a victim of the fear tactics the government sells.

  • @lomotil3370
    @lomotil3370Ай бұрын

    Ban the box

  • @T1000skynetforever

    @T1000skynetforever

    Ай бұрын

    You want a sex offender driving your cab?

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