Abstract
This study investigates how people with criminal convictions think about ‘decent work’ and whether ‘decent work’ could support them desisting from crime. It found:
• Participants in this study experienced extreme levels of marginality, poverty, exclusion and stigma. Their work histories are characterised by low paid and insecure employment.
• The main barrier to employment was disclosure of criminal convictions. In particular, the ‘criminal conviction tick box’ at the stage of application limits chances for employment.
• Being in employment was viewed as providing a means out of the isolation and poverty experienced whilst unemployed. The possibility of finding ‘decent work’ was so far removed to people with convictions that any job would be accepted.
• Purposeful and stable employment, but also volunteering opportunities, are crucial elements of social integration and support desistance from crime.
• Four main factors were identified as comprising decent work:
• Being treated with respect
• Decent pay to provide ‘enough money to get by’
• A fixed term contract for a minimum period of a year which set the terms and conditions for employment
• Opportunity for training
• Participants in this study experienced extreme levels of marginality, poverty, exclusion and stigma. Their work histories are characterised by low paid and insecure employment.
• The main barrier to employment was disclosure of criminal convictions. In particular, the ‘criminal conviction tick box’ at the stage of application limits chances for employment.
• Being in employment was viewed as providing a means out of the isolation and poverty experienced whilst unemployed. The possibility of finding ‘decent work’ was so far removed to people with convictions that any job would be accepted.
• Purposeful and stable employment, but also volunteering opportunities, are crucial elements of social integration and support desistance from crime.
• Four main factors were identified as comprising decent work:
• Being treated with respect
• Decent pay to provide ‘enough money to get by’
• A fixed term contract for a minimum period of a year which set the terms and conditions for employment
• Opportunity for training
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Publisher | UWS/Oxfam |
| Number of pages | 5 |
| Volume | Thematic Report 3 |
| Publication status | Published - May 2016 |
Publication series
| Name | UWS-Oxfam Partnership, Collaborative Research Reports Series |
|---|---|
| Publisher | UWS-Oxfam partnership |
| No. | 3 |
