Jurisdiction Summary
The proposal involves a program known as the Employment Assistance to Low-Income Individuals with Criminal Records Program that will help address issues in the adult justice system. Dayton, Ohio, has a significant crime problem, with 5673 property crimes and 1351 violent crimes reported in 2019 (FBI.UCR, 2019). Its poverty rate is 30.6%, with a population of 140,427. To address the increased crime and poverty rates, this crime prevention program is necessary because it will help provide employment assistance for people with criminal records. The goal is to help individuals secure well-paying jobs that save them from poverty-related challenges and lower incentives to engage in crime.
Data Analysis
Waco had a population of 139,870, with 4599 property crimes and 799 violent crimes in 2019. Contrariwise, New Haven had a population of 130,494. It recorded 4958 property crimes and 1168 violent crimes in 2019 (FBI.UCR, 2019). On the other hand, Syracuse had a population of 142,438, with 4464 property crimes and 1129 violent crimes reported in 2019. Dayton, Ohio, has a significant crime problem, with 5673 property crimes and 1351 violent crimes reported in 2019. 30.6% of its population of 140,427 live below the poverty level. On the contrary, 26.2% of Waco’s population lived below the poverty level in 2019. 26.5% of New Haven’s population lived below the poverty level in 2019. 31% of Syracuse’s population lived below the poverty level in 2019. The data from the four states show a pattern of increasing crime rates with poverty.
This data reveals the highest rate of violent and property crimes in Dayton. These are the comparable cities in population size, considering Dayton’s size. It shows a connection between the crime rate and poverty. The higher the rate of poverty in a city, the higher the crime rate. Therefore, this program will be effective in helping address poverty in Dayton because it will help provide employment assistance for people, especially individuals with criminal records. Even though it will also help everyone in dire need, it will primarily focus on those with criminal records. The U.S. poverty rate stood at 12.3% in 2019. In 2019 its property crime rate was 2,109.9 offences per 100,000 inhabitants (FBI.UCR, 2019). On the other hand, the rate of violent crime was 366.7 offences per 100,000 inhabitants.
The Problem Analysis Triangle can help understand the relationship between crime and its various contributing factors. These factors include the location, the victim, and the offender. By thoroughly assessing these factors, crime prevention strategies can help deal with crime (FBI.UCR, 2019). Comparing the data of the U.S. and Dayton, Ohio using the Problem Analysis Triangle, it is evident that poverty contributes to crime rates in both locations. In the U.S., the poverty rate was 12.3% in 2019, while in Dayton, it was significantly higher at 30.6%. The statistics reveal that poverty may be a more significant factor in contributing to crime rates in Dayton than in the U.S. as a whole.
Considering the location factor, the crime rates in Dayton are significantly higher than the national average. In 2019, the U.S. had a rate of property crime of 2,109.9 offences per 100,000 inhabitants (FBI.UCR, 2019). on the other hand, Dayton had 5,673 property crimes reported. Additionally, the U.S. had a rate of violent crime of 366.7 offences per 100,000 inhabitants, while Dayton had 1,351 violent crimes reported. The results imply that location is also a significant contributing factor to crime rates in Dayton. Similarly, considering the offender factor, even though it is difficult to compare this factor between the U.S. and Dayton, one can assume that poverty may contribute to individuals engaging in criminal behaviour, as they may feel they have no other options for survival or economic gain.
In the scanning stage of the SARA model, law enforcement agencies gather data to determine crime trends and patterns in their communities. In this case, The U.S. poverty rate stood at 12.3% in 2019. In 2019 its property crime rate was 2,109.9 offences per 100,000 inhabitants (FBI.UCR, 2019). On the other hand, the rate of violent crime was 366.7 offences per 100,000 inhabitants. Contrariwise, the city of Dayton, Ohio, has a significant crime problem, with 5673 property crimes and 1351 violent crimes reported in 2019. Its poverty rate is 30.6%.
In the analysis stage, law enforcement agencies create and execute strategies to address the underlying issues promoting crime. In this case, the proposed program is the Employment Assistance to Low-Income Individuals with Criminal Records Program. It would provide employment assistance and job training to low-income people, including those with criminal records. This initiative can help them secure well-paying and stable jobs that offer a path out of poverty and lower the incentive to engage in crime (Davis & Heller, 2020). On the other hand, in the assessment stage, the evaluation of the efficiency of the response strategies occurs to help identify their effect on the crime problem. In this case, the evaluation of the success of the Employment Assistance to Low-Income Individuals with Criminal Records Program can happen by tracking the recidivism and employment rates of program participants over time.
Crime Prevention Strategy Evaluation
The Employment Assistance to Low-Income Individuals with Criminal Records Program is a specific crime prevention strategy that focuses on helping lower recidivism and crime rates by addressing the underlying factors that play a significant role in criminal behaviour. These factors include a lack of employment opportunities and poverty (Davis & Heller, 2020). This program is effective because it is evidence-based. Other jurisdictions have had similar programs, which have proven to be effective by helping to reduce recidivism and crime rates. The Employment Assistance to Low-Income Individuals with Criminal Records Program provides employment assistance and job training to help address this problem by giving these people the resources and tools to succeed in the job market. This program focuses on breaking the cycle of criminal behaviour and poverty.
It specifically targets people with criminal records who often face significant challenges when trying to get jobs because of their criminal history. Ensuring they can get employment assistance and job training aims to help them deal with barriers and become more productive members of society (Davis & Heller, 2020). Some crimes prevent people from getting jobs when they leave prisons; thus, it increases poverty rates as these people may not be able to get back their former jobs or secure new ones. Thus, they may have to depend on their loved ones. Some may also resort to criminal activities to survive. Therefore, by increasing employment opportunities and reducing poverty, The Employment Assistance to Low-Income Individuals with Criminal Records Program can help reduce the incentive for individuals to engage in criminal activity, resulting in a more prosperous and safer community.
Academic Literature and Studies
Many studies have proven the efficiency of programs that address the employment issue to reduce recidivism and crime rates. For example, a Bartik (2020) study found that employment-focused programs reduced recidivism rates. Similarly, Doleac (2020) conducted a study which found that employment-focused programs reduced recidivism rates. Reputable scholars conducted these research on the efficiency of these programs, and the results were positive.
Timothy J. Bartik conducted the first study. Bratik is a senior economist at the Upjohn Institute for Employment Research. He published this work Journal of Economic Perspectives, a well-respected research organization which studies economic and social policies. This author is an American economist specializing in labour demand policies, labour economics, urban economics, public finance, and regional economics. The study revealed that programs that address employment problems lower recidivism rates (Bartik, 2020). That shows that people participating in the initiatives are less likely to offend again and return to jail or prison. Some people commit crimes as a last resort when all other options have failed. They may do so to afford basic needs. Therefore, identifying and offering these people employment assistance and job training can help address this problem.
Jennifer Doleac is the vice president of criminal justice at Arnold Ventures. This American economist is also an Associate Professor of Economics at Texas A&M University. She published this work in Social Science Research Network, a reliable research, development, and evaluation agency. The research revealed that programs focusing on providing employment and training people to increase their chances of securing jobs reduce recidivism (Doleac, 2020). This reduction shows that helping people with a criminal record and everyone in Dayton will help address this problem. Thus, this program is an effective crime prevention strategy. Addressing the needs of the community lowers criminal behaviour.
Crime Prevention Program Addressing Social Justice Issues
The criminal justice system disproportionately impacts individuals from low-income families and communities of colour, resulting in social and economic disparities. The program plays a significant role in addressing these social justice issues by offering job training and employment assistance to people who find it challenging to get them due to exclusion from the workforce resulting from past involvement in the criminal justice system. Providing a path out of poverty and lowering incentives to commit crime promotes social justice by offering equal opportunities for community members. It also helps reduce recidivism and crime rates. People will benefit from it regardless of their past involvement in the criminal justice system.
Programs Analysis
The three cities, Waco, Syracuse, and New Haven, have programs which have helped reduce crime rates by helping deal with poverty. For example, Syracuse has a program known as Syracuse Builds. This program is one reason behind the reduced crime rate in Syracuse. It trains people for careers in the construction industry. During this process, they gain valuable experience and skills that can help them secure well-paying jobs (Davis & Heller, 2020). This city also has a program known as Say Yes to Education. This program also provides employment training for people in Syracuse. Therefore, it helps reduce crime rates. It offers those who do not have enough money to pay for training scholarships. It also gives them support services to facilitate this process. People can get these services in the Syracuse City School District. It has helped address this problem by increasing their chances of success in the workforce by helping improve their educational outcomes.
New Haven also has programs which have helped address poverty by reducing the crime rate. These programs provide employment assistance and job training. For example, New Haven Works links employers to local job seekers. Those who launched this program wanted to help people access employment without challenges because they recognized it was one of the most significant factors that thwarted people’s efforts to secure employment. This workforce development program has helped reduce underemployment and unemployment in the city (Davis & Heller, 2020). Likewise, Project Fresh Start has helped significantly to address poverty in New Haven, helping reduce crime rates by ensuring those involved can secure jobs. For example, it provides job placement assistance, counselling, and job training to ex-offenders and people from low-income families in New Haven. This program has helped support individuals who find it challenging to keep their jobs or get new ones after prison. Therefore, it lowers their chances of committing other crimes.
Career Beginnings is also an essential program that has helped address the unemployment problem, leading to New Haven’s poverty. It provides internship opportunities and job training to people in this city. They gain the experience and skills they need in the employment sector (Davis & Heller, 2020). Career Beginnings have helped them prepare for the future and develop valuable skills. The internship prepares them for what to expect when they start working. They are an excellent way to link what one learns in the classroom to real-world experience. It also builds one’s professional network and provides them with the soft skills they need in leadership positions and the workplace.
Waco also has programs which have helped reduce poverty rates by providing employment assistance and job training to people, including those with criminal records. For example, Prosper Waco is an employment program that brings together government agencies, businesses, and organizations to help deal with poverty in the city. They can collaborate and coordinate action (Davis & Heller, 2020). On the other hand, other organizations in the city, including Waco Foundation and Community Race Relations Coalition, have also helped improve these people’s lives through their initiatives which address employment problems, including education. Even though most of these initiatives and programs support everyone in need, they prioritize individuals with criminal records considering the increased challenges they experience when trying to get jobs. These examples prove that a program in Dayton to help reduce poverty can lower crime rates.
Funding Strategy for Implementation
A combination of private and public sources can help fund The Employment Assistance to Low-Income Individuals with Criminal Records Program. By leveraging the funding sources, including government grants, local business partnerships, fundraising events, and crowdfunding, the program can ensure its sustainability and expand its reach to more people who can benefit from employment assistance and job training. For example, the program could apply for grants from various government agencies, such as the Department of Labour, that support programs that provide employment assistance and job training, focusing on those with a criminal record. These grants could help cover the costs of implementing the program, including various vital resources like training materials and staff salaries (Wahjono et al., 2021). By getting government funding, it can expand its reach to many people and be sustainable.
The program can also partner with local businesses to provide participants with employment opportunities and job training. That would provide program participants valuable connections to potential employers and work experience (Wahjono et al., 2021). Besides, partnering can also help the program secure additional funding. Local businesses can provide job placement opportunities, in-kind donations, and financial support for program participants. It could also hold fundraising events to generate support for the program and raise awareness. That can involve silent auctions, benefit concerts, or charity walks. Engaging with the community and showing the initiative’s effect can attract more sponsors and donors. Besides, the program can use crowdfunding to get money for program implementation. It enables people to contribute small amounts of money to a specific project or a cause. Thus, it is a significant tool for generating enthusiasm and support for his initiative.
Anticipated Outcome
The Employment Assistance to Low-Income Individuals with Criminal Records Program’s anticipated short-term outcomes includes reduced crime rates, increased employment rates, and reduced recidivism. This program can reduce crime rates in Dayton by ensuring that people, especially those with criminal records, can get a path out of poverty. It also reduces the incentive to engage in criminal activity. On the other hand, it will increase employment rates by providing employment assistance and job training to people from low-income families, including those with criminal records (Bartik, 2020). It will help them secure well-paying and stable jobs. Therefore, they can improve their quality of life, experience reduced financial stress, and get their basic needs. Another significant goal of this program is to reduce recidivism rates among people with criminal records. It will help them reintegrate into society and lower their chances of reoffending.
On the other hand, the Employment Assistance to Low-Income Individuals with Criminal Records Program’s anticipated long-term outcomes includes increased economic opportunities and reduced poverty rates. It aims to offer economic opportunities for low-income people by helping them secure well-paying and stable jobs. That can help them contribute to the community’s economic growth, build wealth, and achieve financial stability (Bartik, 2020). The Employment Assistance to Low-Income Individuals with Criminal Records Program aims to address the root cause of crime.
Effects of the Program on Social Justice
The Employment Assistance to Low-Income Individuals with Criminal Records Program helps people with criminal records who find it challenging to get jobs because of their past involvement in the criminal justice system. By providing them with employment assistance and job training, the program aims to break the cycle of recidivism and poverty, which disproportionately affect communities of colour and low-income people (Bartik, 2020). This program helps to address social justice matters by ensuring equal access to employment opportunities and helping deal with the discrimination and stigma people with criminal records face in society. It allows these people to contribute to society and develop their lives. It promotes equality and fairness. Thus, the Employment Assistance to Low-Income Individuals with Criminal Records Program helps to promote social justice in the community by offering support and opportunities for people excluded from mainstream society.
Conclusion
In conclusion, poverty is associated with crime. Crime can perpetuate poverty by making it more challenging to maintain stable living situations and find employment. Poverty can also contribute to increased crime rates. However, effective crime prevention programs, such as the Employment Assistance to Low-Income Individuals with Criminal Records Program (EALICR), can help to address crime and poverty by offering employment assistance and job training to those with criminal records, promoting social justice in the community and reducing recidivism rates. Therefore, community leaders and policymakers should prioritize implementing evidence-based crime prevention strategies and funding to help deal with crime in their communities and break the cycle of poverty. By leveraging the funding sources, including government grants, local business partnerships, fundraising events, and crowdfunding, the program can ensure its sustainability and expand its reach to more people who can benefit from employment assistance and job training.
References
FBI.UCR. (2019). Crime in the U.S. FBI.UCR. https://ucr.fbi.gov/crime-in-the-u.s/2019/crime-in-the-u.s.-2019/tables/table-8/table-8-state-cuts/newyork.xls
Bartik, T. J. (2020). Using place-based jobs policies to help distressed communities. Journal of Economic Perspectives, 34(3), 99-127. https://www.aeaweb.org/articles?id=10.1257/jep.34.3.99
Doleac, J. L. (2020). Encouraging resistance from crime. Available at SSRN 3825106. https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3825106
Davis, J. M., & Heller, S. B. (2020). Rethinking the benefits of youth employment programs: The heterogeneous effects of summer jobs. Review of Economics and Statistics, 102(4), 664-677. https://sci-hub.ru/https://doi.org/10.1162/rest_a_00850
Wahjono, S. I., Fam, S. F., Pakkanna, M., Rasulong, I., & Marina, A. (2021). Promoting creators intentions: Measurement of crowdfunding performance. International Journal of Business and Society, 22(3), 1084-1101. https://publisher.unimas.my/ojs/index.php/IJBS/article/view/4285
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