Denial of rental applications or restrictions on public housing eligibility.

• Ninety percent (90%) of landlords use background checks on prospective tenants.

• Discriminatory housing practices: Landlords can deny rentals or charge higher rates to applicants with arrest or conviction records, making it difficult for many to find safe and stable housing upon returning to their communities.

• Lack of affordable housing options: People with records are more likely to face financial challenges, limiting their access to safe and affordable housing.

Difficulty getting hired, maintaining a job, or obtaining certain licenses.

• Background checks: 94% of employers conduct background checks (Nelson, 2019), and people with a record are 50% less likely to get a call back from a prospective employer (Pager et al., 2009).

• Occupational licensing restrictions: Certain professions have licensing requirements that may exclude individuals with specific convictions. Visit the National Inventory of Collateral Consequences of Conviction for state-specific restrictions.

• Wage disparities: Even if employed, people with records often face lower wages and limited opportunities for career advancement. Conversely, research conducted in Michigan found that a year after record clearance, people are 11 percent more likely to be employed and earn 22 percent higher wages (Prescott & Starr, 2020).

Inability to receive financial aid or attend certain schools.

• Financial aid restrictions: Some forms of financial aid for higher education might be unavailable to individuals with certain convictions.

• Campus safety policies: Some colleges and universities have policies that restrict or deny admission to applicants with criminal records, and 72% of colleges and universities use background checks to screen applicants’ criminal records (Stewart & Uggen, 2019).

• Stigma and discrimination: Individuals with records may face stigma and discrimination from peers and faculty, hindering their academic success.

• Voting rights restrictions: In some states, individuals with certain felony convictions lose their voting rights, limiting their civic participation.

• Public assistance restrictions: Access to certain public benefits, such as food stamps or housing assistance, may be restricted for people with records.

• Social stigma and discrimination: The stigma associated with a record can lead to social isolation and difficulty forming relationships.