National News
Why Colleges Should Go ‘Beyond the Box’ and Stop Criminal Record Screenings
June 01, 2016 posted by Steve Brownstein
The Ban the Box movement has been advocating for employers to stop asking about criminal history during the application process. Many formerly incarcerated are hampered by preconceived notions about their record and not given the opportunity to showcase their abilities and prove they have been rehabilitated. Studies show that they are more likely to be hired if they are given an interview before asking about their criminal history.
In addition to private businesses, many states and the federal government have removed inquiry into an applicant’s criminal background until after an interview or a job offer. The government also requires that subcontractors verify that they also do not screen for criminal background at the beginning of the application process. Now the movement is spreading to college campuses with the “Beyond the Box” initiative.
An estimated 3.2 percent of the United States population is under the supervision of the correctional system. This includes not only the incarcerated, but those on probation, on parole or participating in alternatives to incarceration. One of the major reasons for this is the recidivism rate of the formerly incarcerated, due in large part to violations of the terms of their release.
