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CJEI

The Criminal Justice and Employment Initiative (CJEI) of the Labor and Employment Law Program improves employment opportunities for people with criminal records by designing and delivering legal employment training to close information gaps and implement best practices with an aim towards integrating job seekers with criminal records into the workforce.

Explore

Training

See all of our training options
Employers

We assist employers in rethinking their approach to hiring.

Learn more about employer training
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Learn more about employer training
People with Criminal Records

We help job seekers overcome employment barriers.

Learn more about training
Queensboro Class
Learn more about training
Community Partners

We bring legal education to the reentry field.

Learn more about our legal education
Learn more about our legal education

Resources

Guides, Hiring Strategies & Best Practices

Improve employment opportunities for people with criminal records by using our guides on employment laws, understanding the benefits of hiring from this talent pool, and learning best practices.

Access CJEI resources here
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Access CJEI resources here

Research

See more research
Work With Us

Researchers can collaborate with us on their data sets and contact us to discuss longitudinal studies.

Contact us at cjei@cornell.edu

Gold Abstract

CCRPS Presents at U.S. DOL Virtual Convening

The CCRPS team presented their findings of the research project “Criminal Record Inaccuracies and the Impact of a Record Education Intervention on Employment-Related Outcomes” at virtual convening with the Department of Labor.
Virtual meeting

Analyzing Reentry Training

Millions of Americans have criminal records, which can limit the ability to get a job, driver’s license, and occupational license, as well as limit the access to housing, social services, and even voting in some places.
Photo: Students at an IDEO work session

Three Research Findings

CCRPS' initial analysis revealed: greater risk of criminal record inaccuracy for black and brown people; criminal record training may lead to job seeking and record correction; and criminal records still pose substantial barriers for employment.

In the News

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ILR Initiative Bridging Gap Between Legal System, Employment

ILR’s Criminal Justice and Employment Initiative will help the Port Authority hire job candidates with criminal records.
Port Authority Training

Cornell Trains Incarcerated Men at Tompkins County Jail

ILR Inequality and Work Theme Project involves students, staff, and faculty working together to remove barriers to employment for people with criminal records in Tompkins County Jail through a multifaceted educational program focusing on employment laws and rights related to a criminal record, covering federal, state, and local laws.
Tompkins County Teaching - Tim

ILR’s Prison Job Fair Opens Doors for Incarcerated

Twelve employers, along with a former inmate now working as a union carpentry representative, met with 78 incarcerated men Oct. 4 at the Queensboro Correctional Facility in New York City.
Conversation

Meet the CJEI Team

Esta R. Bigler, Esq.

  • Director, Cornell ILR's Labor and Employment Law Program and Government and Community Relations, NYC

Esta Bigler, Esq., as Director of Cornell University ILR’s Labor and Employment Law Program, uses her extensive background in labor and employment law to convene conferences and fo

Esta Bio

Timothy McNutt, Esq.

  • Director, Cornell ILR's Criminal Justice and Employment Initiative

Timothy McNutt, Esq., as Director of Cornell ILR’s Criminal Justice and Employment Initiative, uses his extensive background in criminal law, litigation, and policy to assist peopl

Tim McNutt

Rachel Joseph, MSW

  • Program Specialist

Rachel Joseph, MSW, as the Program Specialist of Cornell ILR’s Criminal Justice and Employment Initiative (CJEI), uses her experience working in city government to

Rachel Joseph

Stephanie Sutow, M.Ed.

  • Program Coordinator

Stephanie Sutow, M.Ed, brings an eclectic background to CJEI.

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Support CJEI

Your contribution makes a difference
Make a gift
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Make a gift
You can also volunteer your time and expertise

Attorneys can volunteer for pro bono opportunities.

Students can apply for internship opportunities.

 

Contact us at cjei@cornell.edu
Contact us at cjei@cornell.edu