NCJ Number
83531
Date Published
1976
Length
42 pages
Annotation
This project used survey research methods to determine the attitudes and practices of a randomly selected group of Chicago area businesses concerning the hiring of ex-offenders.
Abstract
A total of 530 questionnaires were sent to employers in the Chicago area, producing a response rate of 20 percent. A second mailing to nonrespondents increased the total response rate to 34.9 percent. Most respondents indicated that they would consider hiring persons with a criminal conviction record. Murder, rape, and armed robbery were the three least preferable convictions for most employers. Half of the employers indicated that they had no formal policy regarding employment of persons with conviction records, and more than half indicated that they had hired such individuals in the past. Of interest to ex-offenders and employment counselors is the fact that some types of businesses appear to be more open (e.g., manufacturing and service businesses) to employment of ex-offenders than others (e.g., finance, insurance, real estate, transportation, communication, utilities, and wholesale and retail trade). The data show that an ex-offender is most likely to obtain employment if the conviction was for a nonviolent crime. Tables, 4 references, a bibliography of about 30 citations, and appended survey instruments are provided.