Understanding the Impact of Felons in the Labor Force

In the United States, out of the 120 million people aged 25 to 55, 50% are women who are less likely to commit crimes. This leaves 60 million men in the labor force, of which 33%, equivalent to 20 million men, are felons who have been incarcerated for at least one year and are either unemployed or underemployed. This situation poses a challenge for the labor market, especially evident in professions such as trucking where there is a shortage of drivers. The breakdown of these felons shows that 50% are African American, 25% are Latino, and 25% are white. The high number of African American felons highlights a significant issue, indicating the impact of incarceration on certain cultures. The recidivism rate among felons is notably high, indicating a revolving cycle of incarceration.