Abstract
Prior research has shown that employed parolees are less likely to recidivate. Yet, these studies often ignore the underlying employment context of the neighborhoods to which parolees return. Given that parolees often reside in disadvantaged neighborhoods, it is likely that few potential employment opportunities exist nearby, and those opportunities that do exist are of relatively poor quality. This study examines the influence of geographic access to employment opportunities on the likelihood of recidivism. We use a unique data set of parolees and jobs in Ohio to determine whether parolees living closer to a greater number of potential employers or higher-paying jobs are less likely to recidivate. Further, we examine if these relationships are conditioned by parolee race. More job opportunities and higher paying jobs closer to the parolees' homes increase recidivism, and the likelihood of recidivating is highest within smaller geographic distances. Because many parolees reside in the inner city, jobs located within close proximity of parolees are likely white-collar, reflecting the increased competition for low-skill jobs close to where the parolee lives. Our findings indicate that this may be particularly true for black parolees. This suggests policy changes that reduce competition for low-skill positions and facilitate parolees' ability to secure employment are needed.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Journal | Journal of Crime and Justice |
| DOIs | |
| State | Accepted/In press - Oct 14 2014 |
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Keywords
- employment
- parolees and recidivism
- spatial mismatch
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Law
Cite this
The impact of the spatial mismatch between parolee and employment locations on recidivism. / Chamberlain, Alyssa; Boggess, Lyndsay N.; Powers, Ráchael A.
In: Journal of Crime and Justice, 14.10.2014.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - The impact of the spatial mismatch between parolee and employment locations on recidivism
AU - Chamberlain, Alyssa
AU - Boggess, Lyndsay N.
AU - Powers, Ráchael A.
PY - 2014/10/14
Y1 - 2014/10/14
N2 - Prior research has shown that employed parolees are less likely to recidivate. Yet, these studies often ignore the underlying employment context of the neighborhoods to which parolees return. Given that parolees often reside in disadvantaged neighborhoods, it is likely that few potential employment opportunities exist nearby, and those opportunities that do exist are of relatively poor quality. This study examines the influence of geographic access to employment opportunities on the likelihood of recidivism. We use a unique data set of parolees and jobs in Ohio to determine whether parolees living closer to a greater number of potential employers or higher-paying jobs are less likely to recidivate. Further, we examine if these relationships are conditioned by parolee race. More job opportunities and higher paying jobs closer to the parolees' homes increase recidivism, and the likelihood of recidivating is highest within smaller geographic distances. Because many parolees reside in the inner city, jobs located within close proximity of parolees are likely white-collar, reflecting the increased competition for low-skill jobs close to where the parolee lives. Our findings indicate that this may be particularly true for black parolees. This suggests policy changes that reduce competition for low-skill positions and facilitate parolees' ability to secure employment are needed.
AB - Prior research has shown that employed parolees are less likely to recidivate. Yet, these studies often ignore the underlying employment context of the neighborhoods to which parolees return. Given that parolees often reside in disadvantaged neighborhoods, it is likely that few potential employment opportunities exist nearby, and those opportunities that do exist are of relatively poor quality. This study examines the influence of geographic access to employment opportunities on the likelihood of recidivism. We use a unique data set of parolees and jobs in Ohio to determine whether parolees living closer to a greater number of potential employers or higher-paying jobs are less likely to recidivate. Further, we examine if these relationships are conditioned by parolee race. More job opportunities and higher paying jobs closer to the parolees' homes increase recidivism, and the likelihood of recidivating is highest within smaller geographic distances. Because many parolees reside in the inner city, jobs located within close proximity of parolees are likely white-collar, reflecting the increased competition for low-skill jobs close to where the parolee lives. Our findings indicate that this may be particularly true for black parolees. This suggests policy changes that reduce competition for low-skill positions and facilitate parolees' ability to secure employment are needed.
KW - employment
KW - parolees and recidivism
KW - spatial mismatch
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84907898126&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=84907898126&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1080/0735648X.2014.965264
DO - 10.1080/0735648X.2014.965264
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:84907898126
JO - Journal of Crime and Justice
JF - Journal of Crime and Justice
SN - 0735-648X
ER -