The Significance of Race: Overcoming Obstacles in the Adoption of Ban the Box Laws

Abstract

ABSTRACT Using mixed-methods guided by social movements and racial threat literatures, we examine advocacy and passage of “Ban-the-Box” policies removing criminal history inquiries from employment applications. Our content analysis reveals that organizations integral to passage centered their identity around racial justice, coalition-building, and addressing harms of the criminal justice system. Event history analyses among cities, counties, and states shows opportunities (larger Black populations, urbanicity, Black mayor, prior in-state passages) and impediments to passage (conservativism, White-Black unemployment gap). Together, they highlight factors regarding success of a policy designed to address racial inequality and restore opportunity to jobseekers affected by mass incarceration.