What is it about?
Policies that prohibit employers from asking about criminal history early in the hiring process, often called “Ban the Box,” have gained attention as a way to level the playing field for formerly incarcerated people. But even if these policies are implemented, many employers still conduct background checks in final screenings, meaning this harmful information may still be revealed, just at a later time. Our research explores a different approach; it finds that how people disclose their incarceration can shape how others respond to them.
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Why is it important?
These findings suggest that how formerly incarcerated people talk about their experiences can shape others’ willingness to help them find work. Highlighting educational, vocational, or skill-based achievements may help counteract stigma and increase access to job-related support.
Perspectives
From a policy perspective, this work underscores the importance of investing in prison-based education and training programs, as well as providing resources to help people communicate their accomplishments during reentry. Programs that assist with résumé development and credential documentation may be especially impactful.
Lawrence Houston
University of Houston
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: (Re)Entering the workforce after imprisonment: A new perspective on voluntary disclosure of criminal history and job-search assistance., Journal of Applied Psychology, December 2025, American Psychological Association (APA),
DOI: 10.1037/apl0001338.
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