Every year, thousands of people return home from prison to Washington, D.C., or are released from our local jail, eager to get jobs, reconnect with their communities and rebuild their lives. A disproportionate number of them are Black — a reflection of the longstanding racial disparities in our justice system. And all of them are seeking the same thing: opportunity.
But too often, what they find instead are closed doors.
Many businesses in the D.C. area continue to use outdated hiring practices that bar people with criminal records from entering their workforce — even for years-old offenses or violations that have nothing to do with the roles they’re seeking. The consequences of these policies can be serious: research shows that individuals who don’t secure a job within the first two months of reentry are about twice as likely to end up back in the system. It’s a cycle that hurts D.C. families — especially Black families — and our local economy.
But it doesn’t have to be this way. At the Greater Washington DC Black Chamber of Commerce, where our mission is to support Black entrepreneurship and economic development, we’ve seen that when companies make even a few simple changes to embrace workers with criminal records, they don’t just help these candidates turn their lives around. They gain loyal, capable employees. They invest in the safety and prosperity of our city. And critically, they expand opportunity for Black workers and communities in the D.C. area who’ve been disproportionately burdened by the lasting economic consequences of justice system involvement.
This practice of intentionally recruiting, hiring and advancing workers with criminal records has a name: Second Chance Hiring. And this April — celebrated nationally as Second Chance Month — is the perfect time for D.C. businesses to get involved.
Our city is facing a stubborn labor shortage. According to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, there are only 45 available workers for every 100 open jobs in D.C. — and Maryland and Virginia aren’t faring much better. In other words, our businesses need talent, and they need it urgently.
Job seekers with criminal records are a skilled, motivated and often-overlooked talent pool that stand ready and willing to fill these workforce gaps. Research consistently shows that second-chance employees perform just as well — if not better — than their peers without past contact with the justice system. They’re also more likely to stay in their jobs longer, reducing turnover costs for companies willing to hire them.
There’s never been more support in place to help D.C. businesses succeed in Second Chance Hiring. From federal and local protections that help limit companies’ liability risks, to financial incentives like the Work Opportunity Tax Credit and grants from the D.C. Mayor’s Office, the tools are there to make Second Chance Hiring a success. You can learn more from our partners at the D.C. Second Chance Hiring Alliance (SCHA) in their new publication, “The Workforce Solution: D.C. Employer’s FAQ for Second Chance Hiring.”
Still, we at the Chamber know that adopting new hiring practices can feel daunting. That’s why we’re eager to be joining forces with SCHA and international nonprofit Responsible Business Initiative for Justice this Second Chance Month to host a unique, employer-focused event: “Talent Beyond Barriers: A Business Exchange on Second Chance Hiring.”
This gathering on April 29 is designed to offer D.C. businesses practical resources, peer networking, and coaching on how to start including workers with criminal records into their talent pipelines. If you’ve ever wondered how Second Chance Hiring could work for your business, this is your chance to learn — and connect with the people who can help you get started.
At the Chamber, we believe in a D.C. economy that works for everyone — one where talent is recognized, potential is nurtured and opportunity is inclusive by design. By collectively opening our doors to workers with criminal records this Second Chance Month, we can strengthen our businesses, uplift our communities and move our city forward.
Bond is president and CEO of the Greater Washington DC Black Chamber of Commerce.