Racialized Employment Outcomes During Reentry: A Test of Competing Explanations

Abstract

Although much literature has examined the racial gap in employment, relatively fewer efforts have been devoted to examining racialized employment outcomes in the context of reentry. The factors associated with the racial gap in post-release employment are largely unknown. Even less is known whether a disadvantage factor exerts disparate effects on minority and White returning citizens. Using longitudinal data documenting returning citizens’ social capital, health, neighborhood conditions, parole supervision, and employment outcomes over 15 months after release, this study extends prior studies by testing three competing explanations of the racial gap in post-release employment. Findings suggest that structural disadvantages and criminal history cannot fully explain the lower employment rates of Black returning citizens. Furthermore, this study did not find a significant race-specific effect of social capital on employment outcomes. Implications for reentry programing and interventions are discussed.