The Human Element in Criminal Justice Reform

The Top 5 DEI Podcast

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Word of the day: "fair-chance hiring" and "person"

Resource of the day: Young, Nicole & Powell, Gary. (2015). Hiring ex-offenders: A theoretical model. Human Resource Management Review. 25. 298-312. 10.1016/j.hrmr.2014.11.001.

In a powerful conversation with Dr. Nicole C Jones-Young, we explore the complex challenges facing individuals with criminal histories as they seek to rebuild their lives through meaningful work.
Dr. Jones-Young's path to becoming a leading researcher on criminal justice and employment began unexpectedly. While volunteering with organizations serving unhoused populations, she noticed a pattern of employment gaps linked to incarceration. This observation sparked a passion that eventually led her from human resources to academia, where she now conducts groundbreaking research on fair chance hiring practices as an Associate Professor at Franklin and Marshall College.
The language we use matters profoundly in this space. Dr. Jones-Young emphasizes the importance of person-first terminology, reminding us that a criminal record represents something someone did, not who they fundamentally are. This shift in language reflects a deeper philosophical stance: people deserve to define themselves rather than having identities imposed upon them by society.
We explore the promising landscape of fair chance hiring, highlighting organizations like JP Morgan Chase, Dave's Killer Bread, and The Body Shop that have successfully implemented initiatives to employ people with criminal histories. These companies demonstrate that inclusive hiring practices aren't just socially responsible—they're good business. Yet frustratingly, many companies only lower barriers to entry during labor shortages, revealing that exclusionary policies often stem from convenience rather than necessity.
The conversation takes a sobering turn when discussing the industrial prison complex and its troubling connections to modern-day slavery. Many incarcerated individuals develop skills and earn certifications while serving time, yet these accomplishments are rarely valued by employers upon release—even by the very companies profiting from prison labor.
Despite these challenges, Dr. Jones-Young remains committed to creating change. She shares her self-care strategies, including setting firm boundaries around work communications and finding joy through physical activity. The episode concludes with a lighthearted discussion

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Beat Provided By https://freebeats.io
Produced By White Hot

Music Beat Provided By https://freebeats.io
Produced By: White Hot.

Chapters

1. The Human Element in Criminal Justice Reform (00:00:00)

2. Meeting Dr. Nicole C Jones-Young (00:00:54)

3. Journey into Criminal Justice Research (00:10:09)

4. Evolution of Terminology and Respect (00:17:26)

5. Fair Chance Hiring Initiatives (00:23:38)

6. Prison Labor and Modern Slavery (00:30:31)

7. Top Five Movies and Life Lessons (00:39:28)