2006 Campus-Community Partnerships

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Prisoner Re-entry Initiative

Abstract:

Approximately one quarter of California's parolees are returned to Los Angeles County, the equivalent of about 100 people per day. The Little Hoover Commission estimates that 70 to 90% of formerly incarcerated people are unemployed, while a Los Angeles County study of employer attitudes revealed that only 20% of the companies surveyed would hire a person with a conviction. The purpose of the Prisoner Re-entry Initiative is to promote the civil and human rights of prisoners returning to South Los Angeles communities, and to reduce the discrimination and barriers to employment that former prisoners face.

With the assistance of UCLA Law School students, former prisoners will advocate for the removal of the question about prior felony conviction from applications for employment with the City and County of Los Angeles. Students and former prisoners together will research pertinent civil rights and employment laws, and will work with human resources and personnel departments to develop and implement hiring procedures for persons with prior convictions. Students will also research expungement policies, certificates of rehabilitation, and civil rights of former prisoners. The project will culminate with a Rights and Employment Fair to promote

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