Employer perceptions about hiring released prisoners with a criminal history

The rate of unemployment in the state of New Jersey in 2010 is the highest in the nation. The prison population in the state of New Jersey is also the highest in the nation, with a consequently high rate of prisoners being released to return to society. To forestall recidivism, researchers recommend employment as the primary means to reintegrate former prisoners in families and communities. The average education and skill level of the prison population is below national averages of the general population. The purpose of the study was to survey 50 employers from business, industry, and agriculture to determine attitudes and perceptions regarding employment of former prisoners at a time of high unemployment and economic recession. Data gathered through the survey was analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences student version 17.0