Louisiana has the highest rate of incarceration in the country. As a result, 1 in 3 Louisianans have a criminal record – approximately 1.5 million people.

While analysis found that 93.3% of individuals between 25 and 44 years old who were formerly incarcerated were employed or actively looking for work, prior research suggests some employers are reluctant to consider individuals with criminal records.

This brief from Recidiviz and Right on Crime details the negative impact of the lack of employment opportunities on individuals with a criminal history in Louisiana and explores the opportunities afforded by the expansion of employment among this group of people.