Criminal Record Disclosure Research
Transform Justice
January 2024
New research comparing criminal records disclosure in five US states with the England and Wales system shows stark difference in chances afforded to people with past convictions.
One in six people in England and Wales have a criminal record. But 27% of UK employers wouldn’t hire someone with a conviction.
Employment is a key factor in preventing future offending. But people with criminal records are often trapped in the past, unable to find stable work and contribute their talents to society because of their record.
Other countries, like the US, have begun taking steps to solve the issue. How do we compare?
Researchers examined five scenarios in which someone with a previous conviction is seeking employment and compared what would appear on their criminal record in England and Wales and five US states: California, Connecticut, Utah, New Jersey, and Oklahoma.
