In the first half hour, I discuss the background on a new initiative by President Obama by way of executive action that could ‘ban the box’ on applications for new jobs around the country. This would make it easier for individuals with low-level offenses (drug charges, misdemeanors, and other nonserious infractions) to gain employment upon leaving jail. Many times people are unfairly treated by employers when they see that individuals have been convicted of a crime in their past. Between 70 million and 100 million Americans—or as many as one in three—have a criminal record.
In the second half of the hour I’m joined by Todd Cox, a Senior Fellow at American Progress, where his work focuses on a range of issues concerning criminal justice reform. He and I go on to discuss how we can eliminate barriers for those with criminal records and ultimately gain economic security.