DISCRIMINATION IN EMPLOYMENT ON THE
BASIS OF CRIMINAL
RECORD
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Submission No.3 - Australian Institute of Criminology
Submission from: Tony Makkai, Phd, Director
Contact Officer: Marianne James, Research
Analyst, Australian Institute of Criminology
Tel: (02) 6260 9242
Email: Marianne.James@aic.gov.au
Discrimination in employment on the basis of criminal record
In conjunction with the Australian Institute of Criminology (AIC), the Criminology Research Council (CRC) ensures that Australian research into criminological issues remains relevant and focussed on the needs of the Australian community. The AIC coordinates CRC research projects undertaken on a national basis and advises the CRC in relation to needs for, and programmes of, criminological research.
Research conducted through the CRC entitled "Attitudes of employers, corrective services workers, employment support workers, and prisoners and offenders towards employing ex-prisoners and ex-offenders" has examined the issue of discrimination in employment on the basis of criminal record.
This study, conducted in 2003, investigated attitudes of employers, employment services workers, corrective services workers, and prisoners and offenders towards the employability of ex-prisoners and ex-offenders. A survey of 1,181 participants was conducted in Queensland and Victoria. Participants rated the probability of people from several disadvantaged groups obtaining and maintaining employment.
Respondents rated the chances of all of the disadvantaged groups to be no better than "fair" for both obtaining and maintaining employment. Having a criminal history was rated fourth highest of five (intellectual and psychiatric disabilities being rated lowest). Higher ratings for probability of maintaining employment suggest that if employment is obtained, there is an increased likelihood of remaining employed.
Ex-prisoners with pre-release training were rated above single conviction for a non-violent crime and single conviction for possession and use of heroin, followed by multiple convictions for petty theft and multiple burglary convictions. For obtaining employment, all were significant except the difference between multiple convictions for petty theft related to drug use and multiple burglary convictions.
Employment is a key issue in the successful reintegration of ex-prisoners and ex-offenders. Employment provides more than the income necessary to support adequate material conditions. It also provides opportunities to expand social networks and contributes to enhanced self esteem as well as aspects of psychological health.
Societal benefits relating to the employment of ex-prisoners and ex-offenders may include reduced crime and re-incarceration rates, reduced costs within the corrections system, safer communities. Reduced costs to government in terms of lower recidivism rates among these groups are also a potentially significant factor.
A full version of this report “Attitudes of employers, corrective services workers, employment support workers, and prisoners and offenders towards employing ex-prisoners and ex-offenders” is available online at: http://www.aic.gov.au/crc/reports/200203-26.html