Licensing Demands Undermine Criminal Justice Reform

By Andrew Wimer of Institute For Justice. Excerpt:

"Arizona State University researchers looked at the relationship between licensing low-income occupations and recidivism rates in 31 states. They found that where licensing burdens were high, recidivism rates increased. On the other hand, recidivism rates decreased in states with low licensing burdens. Simply put, in states where the government imposes fewer barriers to work, people are less likely to commit new crimes that put them back in prison."