Graduation Year

2023

Document Type

Thesis

Degree

M.A.

Degree Name

Master of Arts (M.A.)

Degree Granting Department

Criminology

Major Professor

Chae M. Jaynes, Ph.D.

Co-Major Professor

Mateus Rennó Santos, Ph.D.

Committee Member

Richard Dembo, Ph.D.

Keywords

Willingness to Hire, Second Chance Employment, Stigma, Offender Reentry

Abstract

This study sought to better understand the mechanisms that play a part in employers’ hiring decisions when considering an applicant who has a criminal record. Specifically, two key variables were analyzed as a predictor of an employers’ willingness to hire (WTH): the presence and quality of an employer’s prior experience (PE) having hired an individual with a criminal record, and the extent to which they hold a belief in the redeemability (BiR) of those with a criminal record. Further, the current study aimed to contribute to the body of literature pertaining to WTH, PE and BiR by introducing BiR as a possible mediating and/or moderating variable in the relationship between PE and WTH. Results found that both PE hiring an individual with a criminal record, as well as an employer’s BiR were positively associated with an employer’s WTH. BiR does not mediate the relationship between PE and WTH. However, the evidence of a moderation effect was strong and significantly influenced the relationship between PE and WTH, such that the association between PE and WTH is strongest when BiR is low, and becomes gradually weaker as BiR increases. In light of the current study’s findings, policy interventions should focus on reducing stigma, providing employers with prospective employees who meet their standards, and on providing employers with a positive experience when hiring an individual with a criminal record

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