How Gender of Ex-Offenders Influences Access to Employment Opportunities

Abstract

While both male and female ex-offenders face many of the same difficulties while finding employment, some barriers are unique to either males or females, or are more problematic for one gender. The purpose of this article is to review gender differences in barriers to employment for ex-offenders with disabilities. There is little research on disabilities and offending populations – what exists explores the prevalence of mental health, substance abuse, and intellectual or developmental disabilities (James & Glaze, 2006; National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse, 2010). Further, the body of research that examines barriers to employment specifically for ex-offenders with disabilities is extremely limited. Consequently, this review will explicitly reference ex-offenders with disabilities where possible, but generalizations about this justice-involved population are required. The authors hypothesize that many of the existing gender-neutral and gender-specific barriers to employment are exacerbated by the presence of a disability or disabilities. Disadvantages for ex-offenders are compounded in a fashion that makes finding a job a daunting task.