Overview
In the U.S., there are tens of thousands of laws that restrict access to work for people with convictions. Research by Cornell University found that the number of federal laws limiting work access for people with convictions grew dramatically during the peak era of mass incarceration. In New York State alone, nearly 500 laws and regulations restrict employment opportunities for people with criminal convictions–generally without regard to the nature of the conviction and how it relates to job requirements.
As NYS continues implementing reforms to increase rehabilitation and reduce perpetual punishment, policymakers must examine laws and regulations restricting employment, training, and income security.
In this webinar, legal experts and researchers will share concrete policy recommendations from their latest brief, Updating New York State's Employment Restrictions for People with Criminal, Convictions that can reduce barriers to employment for people with past criminal convictions in New York State. Speakers include Co-Directors of Cornell’s Criminal Justice and Employment Initiative Tim McNutt and Matt Saleh, Jason Hoge, Reentry Legal Specialist, Criminal Justice and Education Initiative, and Deborah Blackburn, Assistant Director for the Utah Department of Commerce’s Division of Professional Licensing.
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