From Prison to Entrepreneurship: Can Entrepreneurship be a Reentry Strategy for Justice-Impacted Individuals?. Issue 1 (May 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hwang, Kylie Jiwon
• Other Names: Harding David J. guest-editor.; Western Bruce guest-editor.; Sandelson Jasmin A. guest-editor.
• Is Part Of: Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science. Volume 701:Issue 1(2022)
• Page Start: 114
• Page End: 133
• Publication Date: 2022-05
• Subjects: entrepreneurship -- justice-impacted individuals -- labor market discrimination -- policy implications; Social sciences -- Periodicals; Social sciences -- United States -- Periodicals; Political science -- Periodicals; United States -- Politics and government -- Periodicals; 300
• DOI: 10.1177/00027162221115378
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0002-7162

Abstract

Justice-impacted people face significant obstacles to employment. This article explores an alternative pathway for these individuals to find work and income: entrepreneurship. While anecdotal evidence suggests that entrepreneurship is common among people with criminal histories, it remains both theoretically and empirically underexamined. I conduct a synthesis of recent research to assess the viability of entrepreneurship as a path to reintegration for returning citizens. I highlight findings on the prevalence of entrepreneurial entry, the underlying mechanism behind entrepreneurship, the economic and social consequences of entrepreneurship, and the barriers and challenges that reentering entrepreneurs face. Finally, I draw attention to key policy implications and suggest new initiatives that can help enhance the viability of entrepreneurship as a reentry strategy for justice-involved individuals.