According to this article by the Vera Institute of Justice, a conviction not only makes it harder for someone to find a job, but it also means that when they do, the work is more likely to be temporary, part-time, and low paying. Their conviction, even for a minor offense, stays with them, leading to a lifetime of lower wages.

Research has long demonstrated that having a job decreases the likelihood that someone will return to prison, meaning that creating and expanding employment opportunities for people with conviction histories actually leads to safer communities.

The article discusses how, amid a tight labor market, employers are increasingly realizing that expanding employment opportunities for people with conviction histories makes sense for a lot of reasons.