Willingness of employers to employ ex-convicts among selected SMEs in the western region of Ghana

Abstract

Punitive measure against anyone is for correctional purpose and making individuals become better citizens. In this regard, incarceration is supposed to lead to the rehabilitation of individuals to make them socially fit. However, ex-convicts face challenges in society including employment. Therefore, this study explores the willingness of an employer to employ an ex-convict. To achieve the objectives, a survey research design was adopted, and the responses obtained from a sample of 283 SME owners in the Western Region of Ghana. The findings show a high level of un-willingness of SME business to employing ex-convict. Again, employers and owners of SMEs have a negative inclination toward hiring ex-convicts. However, individuals with high levels of education and skills were found to have a better chance of being gainfully employed. To help the situation, education, training, tax reliefs and development of legal framework toward employing ex-convict would help deal with this situation.