Opening Doors or Closing Them? The Impact of Incarceration on the Education and Employability of Ex-Offenders in Ireland

In society, employment is often considered to be a prerequisite to full membership and inclusion, so much so that it is considered an essential factor in the rehabilitation of offenders and their reintegration into the community. Accessing the labour market however, is arguably one of the biggest difficulties facing ex-offenders. This difficulty is best understood as a process that begins prior to incarceration. There is a substantial body of research which demonstrates that many offenders come from disadvantaged backgrounds, have poor qualifications and find it extremely difficult to acquire meaningful stable employment. On release, ex-offenders often remain ill-equipped to cope with the realities of life after incarceration, and poor employment histories and job skills, in addition to having a criminal record, create diminished opportunities for such individuals. This article seeks to examine the barriers that may exist to successful reintegration of ex-offenders through participation in the workforce.