Roots Rising

When poverty is treated as a crime instead of a public health issue, it pushes low-income Americans further into hardship—contributing to mass incarceration, housing instability, and social stigma. In his 2009 article “The Criminalization of Poverty,” Kaaryn Gustafson noted that not being able to pay fines is a strong predictor of a low-income person’s entry into the criminal justice system. Increasing financial strain, few coping resources, and limited social support often contribute to individuals committing minor offenses such as petty theft or trespassing. The American Action Forum reports that about 57 percent of incarcerated men and 72 percent of incarcerated women in the U.S. were living in poverty before their imprisonment.

Incarceration not only stops wages but also jeopardizes one’s housing. Many lose their homes while incarcerated, and relatives who remain behind may struggle to cover rent. In a study of individuals on probation, L. Jacobs found that housing insecurity was both common and a strong risk factor for recidivism. Public housing authorities and private landlords frequently refuse applicants with criminal records, forcing many ex‐offenders into shelters or onto the streets, and an unstable address makes finding work even harder.

Beyond these material barriers, a powerful but invisible blockade of social stigma keeps formerly incarcerated people in poverty. Employers often screen out candidates with past convictions. In a 2003 study, Devah Pager found that White applicants with a criminal record were only half as likely to receive a callback as those without one, and Black applicants with a record received almost none.

Tackling these problems demands policy changes. Eliminating criminal‐history questions from job applications can open doors to employment. Counseling, skills training, and mentorship programs help build resilience and counteract internalized stigma. Finally, guaranteeing stable housing and job opportunities for people reentering society not only reduces recidivism but also offers a genuine pathway out of poverty.

By Roland McFadden, MA

Source:

American Action Forum. “The Economic Effects of Welfare Reform.” 2023. Americanactonforum.org.

Gustafson, Kaaryn. Cheating Welfare: Public Assistance and the

Criminalization of Poverty: New York: New York University Press, 2011.

L. Jacob, The Changing Face of Public Assistance, 2022, Brookings Institution.

Devah Pager, “The Mark of a Criminal Record,” American Journal of Sociology (2003).How Poverty and Incarceration Shape Housing Instability