A recent report released by FWD.us, a bipartisan political organization, has shed light on the urgent need for criminal justice reforms in Mississippi. The report highlights the detrimental impact of the state’s high incarceration rate on both the economy and workforce development.
Current U.S. criminal justice data reveals that Mississippi holds the unenviable title of having the highest rate of incarceration in the nation, with 575 individuals imprisoned per 100,000 residents. Moreover, there exists a significant racial disparity in incarceration rates, with black individuals being incarcerated at a rate 2.6 times higher than white individuals. Surprisingly, despite the high incarceration rate, there is insufficient evidence to support the notion that it effectively enhances public safety.
The report primarily focuses on the adverse consequences of removing individuals from the workforce due to incarceration. Not only does imprisonment impact the individuals during their time in prison, but it also makes it significantly more challenging for them to find employment upon release. Recognizing the vital role of economic growth and workforce development in communities across the state, Alesha Judkins, FWD.us Mississippi State Director, emphasizes that pursuing sensible criminal justice reforms is essential. By safely reducing the prison population, Mississippi can address its workforce challenges and stimulate the economic development that its residents envision, all while prioritizing public safety to foster thriving communities.
Extensive research demonstrates that the nationwide push to expand the court and prison system and impose harsher punishments, which occurred between the 1980s and early 2000s, has not yielded the intended results. In fact, studies indicate that incarceration is one of the least effective and most costly approaches to promoting public safety. Despite this, Mississippi continues to adhere to this philosophy, with approximately 19,500 individuals currently incarcerated in the state. Alarming racial disparities persist, as 59% of the incarcerated population is black, 39% is white, and 1% is identified as Hispanic.
States that have made ongoing commitments to criminal justice reform have experienced significant declines in both prison populations and crime rates. In contrast, Mississippi faces the paradox of reaching record low unemployment rates while simultaneously having the lowest labor force participation in the entire United States, accounting for just 55.2% of the state’s working-age population. Presently, Mississippi has around 85,000 job openings, underscoring the critical need for comprehensive criminal justice reforms.
Empower Mississippi, an organization that acknowledges the necessary role of incarceration in the justice system, points out that Mississippi incarcerates more individuals per capita than any other place globally. Wil Ervin, Senior Vice President of Empower Mississippi, emphasizes that alternative, more effective, and less costly methods to enhance public safety exist. He highlights that if incarceration were indeed the answer to improving public safety, Mississippi would already be one of the safest places on Earth. Ervin adds that more than 90% of inmates will eventually be released, emphasizing the importance of preparing these individuals for successful reintegration into society.
The report estimates that approximately 660,000 Mississippi adults, constituting 29% of the state’s population, carry a criminal conviction. Additionally, 11% have felony convictions, and 5% have spent time in prison. These statistics have significant economic implications, with the state’s small business sector losing a staggering $2.7 billion in earnings each year due to criminal convictions.
One critical issue highlighted in the report is the negative impact of long prison terms on the workforce and public safety. Extended periods spent behind bars due to Mississippi’s lengthy sentences prevent individuals from working, supporting their families, and contributing to their communities. This situation hampers the state’s economy from reaching its full potential. Moreover, individuals with criminal records, particularly felony convictions, face a 50% reduction in the chance of being called back by employers. The likelihood of job prospects diminishes further if jail time was part of the individual’s past. Unemployment rates among formerly incarcerated individuals stand at a staggering 27%, nearly five times higher than the overall population. Black women experience the highest unemployment rate at 44%, which the report suggests may be due to discouragement in actively seeking employment.
To address these challenges, reforming hiring practices is crucial. Bradley Lum, Deputy Commissioner of Workforce Development for the Mississippi Department of Corrections (MDOC), advocates for advancing sensible policies and expanding employment opportunities for currently and formerly incarcerated individuals. This approach not only ensures a robust workforce capable of powering the state’s economy but also reduces recidivism rates by enabling individuals to contribute to their communities and support their families. Companies like Kroger and Best Buy have embraced the concept of fair chance hiring, which provides all candidates, regardless of prior convictions, an equal opportunity. A survey conducted by the Society for Human Resource Management reveals that 81% of businesses believe that workers with a criminal record perform their jobs as well as or better than those without records.
The Mississippi Legislature has considered efforts to “ban the box” on public sector employee applications. In 2020, Senate Bill 2112 aimed to remove the felony disclosure box from initial applications, allowing individuals to disclose their criminal record at a later
stage in the hiring process. Lt. Governor Delbert Hosemann expressed support for the legislation, noting that eliminating the box would afford applicants the opportunity to personally engage with employers and provide an explanation of their circumstances. Unfortunately, although the bill progressed through much of the legislative process, it ultimately died in conference.
Financially, individuals who have served prison sentences earn 52% less in annual income compared to those without a criminal record. These financial losses have a statewide impact, contributing to higher rates of poverty and economic instability. The report estimates that Mississippi residents are missing out on $2.7 billion in earnings annually due to their criminal records. Furthermore, at least half of these earnings would likely have been spent on essential goods and services, such as food, clothing, and transportation, all of which are subject to sales tax. Consequently, the state loses an estimated $95 million in tax revenue each year.
Mississippi taxpayers bear a substantial burden, with annual expenditures exceeding $400 million to operate the state prison system. On average, the cost of incarcerating one person each year amounts to $21,600. Considering the current average sentence length of 16 years in Mississippi’s prison system, the total cost per individual reaches nearly $350,000. In the fiscal year 2024, the Mississippi Department of Corrections received an appropriation of $434 million, representing an 11% increase over the previous year. The report emphasizes that the state cannot sustain these escalating costs.
In comparison to neighboring states that have implemented more comprehensive reforms, Mississippi has the potential to save significant taxpayer dollars annually. The estimated savings could range from $60 million to $220 million, underscoring the urgent need for reform.
While Mississippi has made some progress in implementing criminal justice reforms, the report suggests that not all measures have been fully executed. By fully embracing evidence-based solutions, the state can reduce the scope of the prison and criminal justice system. These changes would have far-reaching impacts on businesses, the economy, and the workforce, all while improving public safety through alternative approaches. The report concludes that Mississippi has the opportunity to forge a path towards a more just and effective criminal justice system by following these evidence-based solutions.
