Secrecy as best policy? Stigma management and employment outcomes after release from prison

Abstract

Little is known about how individuals with a criminal record manage their stigma, if they adjust their strategy over time and whether chosen strategies are related to reintegration success. This study aims to answer these questions using longitudinal data of the Prison Project-a nationwide cohort study among male prisoners in the Netherlands. On average, these men do not hide their criminal past, but a substantial group endorses the secrecy strategy, even two years after release. Individuals' current stigma management strategies seem to neither improve nor worsen employment outcomes. More insight into how offenders manage their stigma is warranted and may contribute to their reintegration.