Working My Way Out—The Challenge of Finding a Job

Abstract

The ability to support ourselves and to provide for our needs is fundamental, and securing legitimate employment is an essential part of any successful assimilation process—in particular, for released offenders who are trying to rehabilitate their lives while reintegrating to the normative, non-criminal society. In fact, obtaining legitimate employment is known to be one of the chief factors in reducing recidivism, while promoting successful reintegration (Uggen, 1999; Uggen, 2000; Uggen & Thompson, 2003), in addition to maintaining and securing normative relations with the community. Engagement in normative employment is crucial as it provides the individual with the ability to provide for himself, family, and also to secure a residence; these, in turn, promote positive self-esteem, which translates into a smoother assimilation in the community as a participating member. According to Petersilia (2003), employment remains one of the most important factors that accelerate reintegration while reducing recidivism (p.40).