Hiring a Formerly Incarcerated Person

The resources below are designed to assist employers in hiring individuals with a criminal conviction.

BBARC Hiring Guide: The Employer Guide to Hiring a Formerly Incarcerated Person

Businesses, communities, families and society as a whole benefit when the nearly 30% of Americans with criminal records are employed. Formerly incarcerated individuals who are employed are less likely to commit crimes. Instead of society paying on average nearly $25,000 per year to house an inmate, an employed formerly incarcerated individual will be contributing to the tax base.

There is a strong correlation between employment and success in the community of formerly incarcerated individuals. 95% of individuals who are incarcerated will be released back into our communities. An unemployed formerly incarcerated person is four times more likely to return to prison than an formerly incarcerated person who is employed.

95% of individuals who are incarcerated will be released back into our communities.
An unemployed formerly incarcerated person is four times more likely to return to prison than an formerly incarcerated person who is employed.

The complete guide is available here.

Work Opportunity Tax Credit: Information for Employers who Employ Formerly Incarcerated Individuals

The Work Opportunity Tax Credit is available to private employers who employ offenders. Employers can receive up to $2,400 for each ex-offender employed. More information about the Work Opportunity Tax Credit is available here.

Federal Bonding Program: Information on Insurance to Protect Employers

This program provides insurance to employers willing to hire certain high-risk applicants who may otherwise be denied coverage from commercial bond carriers. The bonds protect employers against theft, forgery, larceny and embezzlement.

More information on the Federal Bonding Program is available here.