Governing.com named Ban the Box one of the biggest issues to watch in 2020 as one critical component of criminal justice reform. Indeed, with Ban the Box laws rapidly being introduced and enacted, and a federal Ban the Box law set to take effect next year, the law will likely protect more individuals in the future.
Each year, more than 600,000 people are released from prisons and in need of steady employment. Rebecca Vallas and Sharon Dietrich, “One Strike and You’re Out” (Washington: Center for American Progress, 2014). Ban the Box laws ensure that these individuals can reenter and meaningfully contribute to society. With the disastrous effects of mass incarceration reverberating throughout the country, Ban the Box is a critical tool designed to support individuals trying to re-enter.
