Race, Perceived Neighborhood Characteristics, and Post-Release Employability among Incarcerated Men

Abstract

This study examines racial differences in perceptions of neighborhood conditions and employability for men reentering society from prisons in five U.S. states. Specifically, we explore the impact of neighborhood conditions on employability and changes in perceptions of employability over time for Black and white reentrants. Findings reveal that Black individuals perceive worse neighborhood conditions and employability. Living in neighborhoods that were considered good places to find work improved perceptions of ability to find employment across racial groups. For Black men, living in neighborhoods in which it was hard to stay out of trouble was associated with decreased optimism of earning income from a job. This work contributes to the body of research focusing on the economic marginalization of justice-involved individuals.