Full Description
Employment for former prisoners is a critical pathway toward reintegration into society and is central to the processes of desistance from crime. Nevertheless, the economic climate in Western countries has aggravated the ability of former prisoners and people with criminal records to find gainful employment.After Prison opens with a former prisoner's story of reintegration employment experiences. Next,relying on a combination of research interviews, quantitative data, and literature, contributors present an international comparative review of Canada's evolving criminal record legislation; the promotive features of employment; the complex constraints and stigma former prisoners encounter as they seek employment; and the individual and societal benefits of assistingformer prisoners attain ""gainful"" employment. A main theme throughout is the interrelationship between employment and other central conditions necessary for safety and sustenance.
This book offers suggestions for criminal record policy amendments and new reintegration practices that would assist individuals in the search for employment. Using the evidence and research findings of practitioners and scholars in social work,criminology and law, psychology, and other related fields, the contributors concentrate on strategies that will reduce the stigma of having been in prison; foster supportive relationships between social and legal agencies and prisons and parole systems; and encourage individually tailored resources and training following release of individuals.
Contents
Introduction: Rose Ricciardelli, Don Evans, & Adrienne Peters
Section I - The Employment-Re-entry Enigma/Dilemma
1 Work after Prison: One Man's Transition: James Young
2 Employment and Desistance from Crime: Kemi S. Anazodo, Christopher Chan, and Rose Ricciardelli
3 Employment and Criminal Offenders with Mental Illness: Krystle Martin
Section II - Criminal Histories, Employment Prospects, and Moving Forward
4 Job Search, Suspended: Changes to Canada's Pardon Program and the Impact on Finding Employment: Samantha McAleese
5 Vulnerabilities and Barriers in Post-Release Employment Reintegration as Indicated by Parolees: Rose Ricciardelli and Taylor Mooney
Section III - Employment Reintegration Programming: Supportive Strategies and Related Outcomes
6 Is Criminal History at the Time of Employment Predictive of Job Performance? A Comparison of Disciplinary Actions and Terminations in a Sample of Production Workers: Mike G. Harmon, Laura J. Hickman, Alexandra M. Arneson, and Ashley M. Hansen
7 Transforming Rehabilitation: A Critical Evaluation of Barriers Encountered by an Offender Rehabilitation Program for South Asian/Muslim Offenders within the New Probation Service Model: Christine Victoria Hough
8 Promoting Employment Opportunities through Mentorship for Gang-Involved Youth Reintegrating into the Community: Adrienne M.F. Peters
9 Barriers to Community Reintegration: The Benefits of Client-Centered Case Management and Pre-employment Skills Training: Ashley Brown
Section IV - The Employment Reintegration of Unique Populations
10 ""Between a Rock and Hard Place"": How Being a ""Convict"" Hinders Finding Work in the Neoliberal, Late Capitalist Economy: Dale C. Spencer
11 Does the ""Wrongful"" Part of Wrongful Conviction Make a Difference in the Job Market?: Kimberley A. Clow
Conclusion: Employment Reintegration: Rose Ricciardelli & Adrienne Peters
Contributors
Rose Ricciardelli, Memorial University, St. John's, NL
Donald G. Evans, John Howard Society, Toronto, ON
Adrienne Peters, Memorial University, St. John's, NL
James Young [undisclosed; former prisoner]
Kemi S. Anazodo, York University, Toronto, ON
Christopher Chan, York University, Toronto, ON
Krystle Martin, Ontario Institute for Mental Health Treatment, Toronto, ON
Samantha McAleese, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON
Taylor Mooney, Memorial University, St. John's, NL
Mike G. Harmon, Portland State University, Portland, OR
Laura J. Hickman, Portland State University, Portland, OR
Alexandra M. Arneson, Portland State University, Portland, OR
Ashley M. Hansen, Portland State University, Portland, OR
Christine Victoria Hough, University of Central Lancashire, Preston, UK
Ashley Brown, John Howard Society, Toronto, ON
Dale C. Spencer, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON
Kimberley A. Clow, University of Ontario Institute of Technology, Oshawa, ON
