Fighting Injustice Standing Together

What are your thoughts on Ban the Box? UC Berkeley's Sandra Susan Smith is leading research on the topic. Studies have shown that for Black and Latino demographics, BTB may actually be making private-sector employment more difficult. Without the box, many private-sector employers tend to just assume the worst up front. Additionally, even in BTB localities, employer discrimination is still prevalent throughout various steps the process (see graph below). Many private-sector employers just blatantly ignore BTB laws.

However, for White formerly incarcerated individuals, BTB has shown to make a very big difference by giving them a chance to get their foot in the door, and mandating an opportunity be given to them to respond to background check results. And in public sector jobs, BTB is making a positive difference overall (for all demographics).

Sandra also discusses that training and individual-attention being given to formerly incarcerated individuals increases their likelihood of obtaining jobs, and encourages them to not give up. Programs that show support, and make formerly incarcerated individuals more competitive for jobs create a huge difference. That lines up well with the overall support architecture you can find at www.FISTdc.org/services

Saturday nights are for building resumes with our clients. Fighting Injustice Standing Together offers returning-citizens free customized resumes tailored by professionals volunteering their time.