A Double Dose of Discrimination

In Marked: Race, Crime, and Finding Work in an Era of Mass Incarceration, Devah Pager discusses the stigma associated with a previous conviction, and how this stigma affects job searches for previous convicts.  While White males are affected by the stigma of conviction, Black males are affected even more.  In her study, Pager found that out of 150 audits, White men without a conviction were called back 34% of the time, while White men with a conviction were called back 17% of the time.  Compare this to the 200 audits performed by Black men: the man without a conviction was called back 14% of the time, while the man with a conviction was called back 5% of the time.  These statistics show us that it is ridiculously to get a job if you are a black man, and you can pretty much forget about it if you have a conviction.

Pager gives one explanation for why it’s so much more difficult for a black man with a conviction to get a job: “With respect to the individual being evaluated, we know that the more closely and individual matches along multiple dimensions of a stereotype, the more powerfully that stereotype will be activated. Racial stereotypes triggered by the appearance of a young black man (already containing an age, race, and gender profile) are further intensified by the revelation of his criminal past. Subtle and perhaps unconscious concerns about black applicants are at once confirmed, weakening any incentive to give a young black man the benefit of the doubt.”  This stigma impacts Black men simply because society almost expects young Black men to be dangerous criminals.  This message is taught to us in a very subtle manner, so we feel guilty when we assume this about individuals, but once we know for a fact that they have been to prison, our initial suspicion is supported, and we feel we are allowed to act on our suspicion.  This double dose of discrimination is especially unfair for those that have gone to prison for something small, such as drug possession, have the skills necessary to hold a job, and are still turned down.  It often leads to participation in more criminal activity, leading them back to jail. 

How do we resolve such a problem?  Cook County has come up with a program that may help. http://chicagocrusader.com/news-detail.aspx?newsid=919 This program allows for non-violent, first time offenders to enter a year-long program that will provide the offender with several programs and services to help them adjust to “life on the outside”, such as job training, GED courses, and drug and alcohol treatment programs.  If offenders can make it a year through the program without reoffending, their felony will be wiped from their record.  This allows for these offenders to have a brand new start, not only by providing them with the skills they may be missing, but also allowing them to continue life without the stigma of conviction following them around.  This program would benefit not only the offenders themselves, but also their communities.  It allows for more people to be productive members of society, helping the communities economy, as well as making it a safer place.