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Unit 4 Assignment: Article Review-

“Enhancing the Career Development of Individuals Who Have Criminal Records”
Jacquelyn Layman
Globe University/Minnesota School of Business/Broadview University
MBA
RS600 Research and Business Project Development
Dr. Gregory Coughlin
November 3, 2013
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Research Study Review

Abstract

This paper is a review of the research study titled “Enhancing the Career Development of
Individuals Who Have Criminal Records”, written in 2010 by Mindy Thompson and Devon
Cummings. The first part of this paper will provide a brief summary of the study, and then
review the existing research on this topic and whether it was adequate and why. Next, the
methodology will be defined and discussed, followed by brief discussion on whether this
approach was appropriate for this research and why, after which the findings will be analyzed
and rated on their relativity and whether or not the findings are reasonable. Finally the
concluding discussion will address what can be learned about research from this class exercise.
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The Problem

Preventing recidivism has been a challenge that has plagued those in the field of criminal

justice for many years. According to information contained within this study, 1 in 31 people

were either on probation or parole, or were in jail or prison in 2004 (U.S. Department of Justice,

2005). The reason, say researchers that these individuals fail to reintegrate to society upon

release is the difficulty in finding employment and stabilizing their economic resources. Getting

to the bottom of the reason for recidivism is the problem at hand. The role of gainful

employment in the lives of ex-offenders has yet to be addressed in the existing vocational

literature. As gainful employment and stabilizing economic resources have been found to be two

major contributors to recidivism, this study highlights the vocational implications of entering the

job market with a criminal record, with an emphasis on reviewing existing programs that have

demonstrated some effectiveness, and providing suggestions for inclusion of the subject of this

study in future policy.

Review of Existing Research

The existing research was that was used in this study was from a variety of sources and

included both sampling data and pre and post release interviews. This research addressed such

things as the implications of having a criminal record on the employment potential and social

acceptance and adjustment of the respondents. The results of this research showed a significant

stigma attached to the individual both by their communities and potential employers. This

stigma affects the ability to both obtain and maintain employment. Results also show that those

with a criminal background tend to be greeted with a differing set of job prospects than those
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without, due in part to sanctions imposed by society such as the lack of a drivers license or

disqualification from some federal programs such as student loans or food support and public

housing.

Researchers theory states that widespread discrimination against hiring ex-offenders is

due in part to Glynn’s theory (1998) of negligent hiring which holds that the employer is

responsible for the criminal actions of the employee while on the job. Further research shows

that the jobs when obtained by ex-offenders pay below the poverty lines, and have no room for

advancement or long-term stabilihty. One study by Fruedenberg, et al. (2005) showed that of 967

respondents, 71% relied on financial help from family and friends and 14-19% supplemented

their income with illegal activities.

The stigma attached to ex-offenders is more pronounced depending on other key factors

such as race or ethnicity. This affects further the number of job offers, and interviews. Race is

not the only contributing factor, applicants are even further discriminated against due to factors

such as chemical dependency or health issues. Results indicate that the predisposition of many

employers is to avoid offering employment to individuals with known alcohol or drug addiction

histories. Another factor is the requirement that sex offenders register in all 50 states. This

makes the ex-offender more readily identifiable by prospective employers and as such decreases

their chance at obtaining employment.

Review of Existing Programs

While research is limited on the vocational development of ex-offenders, there is some

information to be gained from multi-disciplinary research in preparing to work with the members

of this demographic. Beneficial returns have been shown from existing interventions for
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individuals who have criminal records. The existing research shows multiple benefits from all

stages of reintegration and several ideas for working with these individuals can be learned from

these reports. For instance, studies show the benefits of pre-release job skills coaching such as

resume creation, interview skills and job search skills. Another successful skill to be taught is

social behavior and cooperative skills, and how to best utilize the support networks that are

available to them. Another result of existing research states that making the offenders aware of

the state of the job market, and helping them to make career choices that are feasable aid in

reducing the rate of failure. Making use of the existing data, although it was not from the exact

population that was the target of this study was a good choice in that there was really no existing

research in the target population. Applying the data from existing multi-disciplinary research

gave at least a general basis for comparison.

The Methodology

The mixed-method research included both quantitative data in the form of pre-existing

multi-disciplinary research data, combined with interviews with ex-offenders who have returned

to the corrections system, and those who have succeeded as well as with job counselors, social

workers and spiritual advisors to the individuals. The qualitative data was collected through

interviews conducted by independent researchers over a period of time, as were the survey

instruments and data used for the collection of quantitative data. The process of comparing

existing data with current data collected from a series of directed interviews made for more

relative data sets that gave in depth detailed results for the specific demographic on a number of

topics.
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In this case, the mixed-method type of provided a better understanding of role of career

development in ex-offenders than quantitative or qualitative could have done independently. By

using a mixed-methods research design, the study was able to collect, analyze, and mix both

types of research and methods into a single result. In this study I think the qualitative data

carried somewhat more weight than the qualitative, and the reason for that is the nature of the

study and the lack of pre-existing relevant data.

The research methodology used in this study was a good fit for the type of information

being gathered. With the first set of data coming from random samplings of the

multidisciplinary research surveys, the results could then be further broken down into questions

posed to the study panel to further validate the results and the probability of success based on

certain criteria. Quantitative data such as the multidisciplinary research data that was already

available made for a good resource for defining the survey instruments whose results would

further form a solid hypothesis.

RELEVANCE

The result of the research project was an in-depth insight into the role of vocational

training and support on the rate of recidivism. The study showed a direct correlation between the

rate of recidivism and the availability of gainful employment for the ex-offender. The study

further broke down the success rates of pre-release and post-release programs as supports for the

ex-offender and the effect they had on the success or failure of the reintegration of the ex-

offender in to society.

Findings
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The results of the survey show that employers who receive some kind of incentive are far

more likely to hire an ex-offender than one who does not. Additionaly the availability of career

counselors and their level of knowledge regarding the current job market is another crucial factor

for success. More specifically, counselors who aid in the understanding of the State laws on

licensure and bonding and the employers who are more apt to work with individuals with a

record. Community based interventions and supports such as the Restorative Justice program are

also effective in helping reduce the rate of recidivism. Qualitative research identified several

barriers to succesful reintegration to society to include basic needs, meaningful relationships, a

positive outlook on their own success, having access to and understanding social networking,

finding ways to motivate themselves through rough spots, and the role of sobriety and spirituality

in their success. The portion of the group that was also hindered by being a member of a certain

race of ethnic background was shown to have positive results from obtaining counseling based

on their discriminations.

I find that these results are very relevant and useful in the arena that they are presented.

The results given here are parallel with results that I have gathered through my own research in

preparation for my project.

SUMMARY

The problem presented in this research study is not a new problem, and it is not one that

has benefited from much recognition or research in the past. The research collected in the

mixed-method model discussed above shed light on some of the underlying factors that play a

role in the rate of recidivism among individuals, and as a result of the data analysis, suggestions

were given to help the individual have a more succesful reintegration to society and lower the
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rate of recidivism. The focus was specifically the role of employment in the rate of recidivism,

and the challenges discussed were stigma, employer responsibility, and pre and post-release

interventions that could help strengthen the will to succeed for these individuals. This focus

which was solidified through the analysis and comparison of the two sets of data, defined a set

of factors that contribute to the success or failure of the individual. The analysis provided a set

of recommendations for change in policy, including offering better interventions pre-release and

stronger supports post-release. These changes along with incentives for employers can aid in

reducing the rate of return to the corrections system.

In general the impact of research in defining and solving problems is profound. Through

a series of questions, surveys, studies, and analysis the extent of what can be learned through

research is endless. Research can be directed, general, blind or targeted. The results can be

analysed and compared with other results and the answer you have been looking for just appears

before your eyes. Research is not the boring, number crunching, statistical nonsense I once

thought it was. I have absolutely learned a new respect for the power of research since taking

this class and reading the texts and in fact trying some of the methods on my own.
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References

Freudenberg, N., Daniels, J., Crum, M., Perkins, T., & Richie, B. E. (2005). Coming home from

jail: The social and health consequences of community reentry for women, male

adolescents, and their families and communities. American Journal of Public Health, 95,

1725-1736.

Glynn, T. P. (1998). The limited viability of negligent supervision, retention, hiring and

infliction of emotional distress claims in employment discrimination cases in Minnesota.

William Mitchell Law Review, 24, 581-63

Thompson, M. N., & Cummings, D. L. (2010). Enhancing the Career Development of

Individuals Who Have Criminal Records. Career Development Quarterly, 58(3), 209-

218.

U.S. Department of Justice. (2005, December). Probation and parole statistics. Retrieved from

http://www.ojp.gov/bjs/pandp.htm