Discrimination against ex-offenders

Research by the Joseph Rowntree Trust suggests that the introduction of 'basic disclosures' a new requirement under the Police Act 1997, will heighten discrimination against ex-offenders in the labour market. The 1997 Act changes the current arrangements whereby minor offences are 'spent' after a period of time, which means that an individual does not have to declare them when applying for a job, even if asked about previous convictions. The new law, due to come into force shortly, will allow employers to gain access to the criminal records of job applicants. It has been estimated that around a third of men under the age of 30 have a criminal record of some kind. The Trust says that it is likely that employers will use their right to access criminal records to discriminate in recruitment.