Ayeni, Daramfon Uwemedimo2024-09-052024-09-052024https://hdl.handle.net/1773/51631Gaining employment is challenging under the best of circumstances. For individuals returning home after serving time in prison, the difficulty is significantly amplified. One of the reasons being employers’ easy access to applicant’s criminal record through routine and frequent background checks. Although criminal background checks were originally intended to ensure workplace safety and security by identifying individuals with criminal histories that might pose a risk to the organization or its employees, and to help organizations minimize the risk of fraud, theft, and other misconduct, they now appear to do more harm than good to society. Despite existing anti-discrimination laws, many employers utilize background checks in a manner that significantly hinders the job prospects of returning citizens, perpetuating a cycle of unemployment and recidivism; issues that remain significant barriers to successful reintegration and economic stability. Utilizing qualitative research methods this study investigates the impact of background checks on the employability of formerly incarcerated individuals in the United States, particularly people of color, and their likelihood of reoffending while also considering the issues of workforce diversity, equity and inclusion in hiring processes. The findings of this study reveal a substantial negative impact of background checks on the employability of the formerly incarcerated, highlighting the need for policy reforms that facilitate their successful reintegration into the workforce, stricter enforcement of anti-discrimination laws in employment spaces and the incorporation of rehabilitation information in background checks to provide a more balanced view of an applicant's suitability for employment. These recommendations aim to mitigate the negative impacts of background checks, promote fair hiring practices, and support the better reintegration of formerly incarcerated individuals into the society, ultimately contributing to lower recidivism rates, lower crime and enhanced social stability.en