1. It’s a Hard Road to Employment for
Those with Criminal Records
Only 35% of people with criminal histories hold a job in the United States.
“Stigma” and “discrimination” are two
big obstacles when it comes to finding
jobs for those who have criminal
records
65 million Americans with criminal
records are banned from being hired at
the best known U.S Companies
People with criminal records often
need to wait 3 to 20 years of
“redemption time” before finding
employment
But, Did You Know?
Ex-offenders with jobs commit fewer
crimes than those without jobs
Jobs have been proven to help with
recidivism
Less recidivism means less crime

2. A Few Surprising Facts…
One third of Americans have been arrested by the age of 23
13 million people are admitted and released from jail every year and incarceration rates
are higher in the United States than in any other country in the world
Jails are being more commonly used as a replacement for psychiatric and addiction
recovery institutions
The number of people incarcerated with severe mental illness (SMI) is estimated to be
between 6 and 16 percent of the incarcerated population
Federal, state and local government spending on jails exceeds $74 billion annually

3. My Solution to The Problem…
Is to make and distribute a brochure that educates small business
owners about:
The need to give equal opportunities to those with criminal
backgrounds
Helping those in need and their families to be contributing members of
society
Helping to lower crimes rates and recidivism
Helping to decrease the amount that is spent on corrections

4. Sponsor
I will be contacting the Equal Justice Initiative (EJI) in Montgomery,
Alabama and perhaps seeking a federal grant