Most Felon Friendly States

The term “felon-friendly states” refers to the states that have laws and policies to make it easier for released inmates to re-enter their society. Formerly incarcerated individuals who live in felon-friendly states may find it easier to put their lives back since they have community support, rather than those who live in unfriendly states for felons.

In fact, not all states can provide supportive environments for felons; some may be willing to accept them back, while others seem to consider that people with criminal records who return to society don’t deserve such conveniences.

That’s why many felons decide to move to friendly states after being released from prison to get a good chance to start life. The question is, which states are known as felon-friendly? Okay, let’s find them below!

What Makes Some States So Felon-Friendly?

The ease of getting a job is the main factor that determines whether or not a state is felon-friendly. However, income is an important part of helping every individual improve their finances after living in prison for several years without work.

If ex-convicts are given a second chance to have a career, they will grow and slowly develop the potential within them, so that life after prison for them will be much better. In the end, their intention to return to crime may be controlled by their current situation.

Otherwise, if those who have been imprisoned are not given the opportunity to work, then how can they improve their lives? Don’t they need an income to survive?

If they are left to fend for themselves, they will indirectly think that life outside prison is not better for them. What’s next? Of course, it is very likely that recidivism will increase since they feel they have no right to live in society. Hasn’t this already happened?

Despite this fact, there are several indicators to determine felon-friendly states, including:

• Ban-the-Box Campaign

This American movement was proposed by advocates and aimed to remove the check box asking if the applicant has a criminal record. Its purpose is to prevent employers from seeing them based on their background and qualifications since it would be considered discrimination against ex-felons from getting a job.

With the launch of the ban-the-box law, ex-felons will have the same opportunities as applicants in general in terms of recruitment and the process of getting a job. Well, the states that agreed with this campaign have an obligation to treat prisoners well when obtaining employment.

• Background Check

Almost every company that employs felons will always carry out a background check, but the time limit for background checks may differ in each state. In the felon-friendly states, employers are permitted to conduct background checks for the past 7 years.

Well, the rule also applies to the salary caps, where some states set a salary cap on their 7-year limit. It means that if a candidate earns more than a certain amount of money in the position that they occupy, the 7-year limit no longer applies.

In short, this law limits the scope and duration of background checks to prevent felons from being discriminated against based on their past criminal record.

• Voting Rights

Giving back the right to vote to felons is a rule and regulation of a state that reflects a felon-friendly state. Sure, felons can get it back after they complete their parole or probation, apply for a pardon, or pay fines and fees.

• The Number of Reentry Programs

This is one of the standards that makes a state felon-friendly how adequate are the programs provided for former incarcerated individuals? Well, these programs include, but are not limited to, job help, halfway houses, and addiction recovery programs.

• The Number of Current and Ex-Convicts

In 2017, Shannon et al. reported the percentage of current and ex-convicts for 60 years. It was found that states that offered a second chance for felons received higher scores.

• Re-Incarceration Percentages

The data includes three-year re-incarceration rates for released prisoners in 2013. In fact, states with lower rates of re-arrest actually received higher scores.

Well, those are some standards that determine whether or not a state is felon-friendly.

12 States That Are Felon-Friendly

With a number of indicators above, several U.S. states have contributed greatly to creating criminal-friendly environments designed to help former incarcerated individuals get back on their feet.

Okay, let’s see which states are felon-friendly and give a second chance to the ex-convict!

1. California

• • Background check restriction: Yes
  • Salary cap: No cap
  • # of reentry programs:13 programs
  • 3-year recidivism rates: 44.60%
  • % current and ex-prisoners: 8.5%

California gets the highest score in terms of friendliness toward former prisoners. It’s no wonder since this Golden State applies the ban-the-box law without a salary cap and also has a background check law that requires employers to conduct background checks no later than 7 years, except in certain cases.

Reportedly, California has a low disenfranchisement rate of around 0.4%, with only currently incarcerated felons not having the right to vote. Felons on parole or probation can vote in California.

2. Nevada

• • Background check restriction: Yes
  • Salary cap: No Cap
  • # of reentry programs: 3
  • 3-year recidivism rates: 29.20%
  • % current and ex-prisoners: 4.5%

Nevada ranks second after California without a salary cap and a 7-year limit on background checks. The ex-convicts who get a job in this state will find it easier to settle down and access education and counseling, ensuring they make the transition to civilian life as smoothly as possible.

According to the Nevada Department of Corrections, only 28,63% of felons can commit crimes again. This state will also restore felons’ voting rights after they’re released from prison.

3. Montana

• • Background check restriction: Yes
  • Salary cap: No Cap
  • # of reentry programs: 2
  • 3-year recidivism rates: 42.20%
  • % current and ex-prisoners: 6.5%

Montana has a 7-year limit on background checks for employment that can help felons who have completed their sentences start their new life. However, this state isn’t the most friendly state for felons in terms of voting rights and recidivism rates since released prisoners should register anew to get the right to vote in Montana.

But they have some useful programs for felons to survive, including housing, finding shelters for juveniles, and counseling and rehab facilities.

4. New Mexico

• • Background check restriction: Yes
  • Salary cap: $20,000
  • # of reentry programs: 1
  • 3-year recidivism rates: 46.20%
  • % current and ex-prisoners: 8.0%

New Mexico is one of the felon-friendly states that applies a 7-year background check limit with a salary cap of $20,000 This state only has one program to help felons make a transition into society, where the right to have firearms is actually restored after ten years.

After completing their sentences, felons will get back their voting rights. However, New Mexico is the state with a medium recidivism rate—in the last three years, it was 50%.

5. Washington

• • Background check restriction: Yes
  • Salary cap: $20,000
  • # of reentry programs: 3
  • 3-year recidivism rates: 32.20%
  • % current and ex-prisoners: 8.0%

With a salary cap of $20,000, Washington is one of the states that has a background check limit of up to 10 years, and employers can ask for details about the criminal history of every candidate.

Voting rights will be restored after incarcerated individuals are released from prison, and offenders with a domestic abuse record will be revoked for possession of a firearm. Programs such as counseling and rehabilitation can help ex-convicts transition to reenter society.

6. Massachusetts

• • Background check restriction: Yes
  • Salary cap: $20,000
  • # of reentry programs: 2
  • 3-year recidivism rates: 32.00%
  • % current and ex-prisoners: 8.0%

This Old Colony State applies the 7-year background check limit for misdemeanors and 10 years for felonies. With a salary cap of $20,000, they definitely have re-entry programs that cover the most basic needs of felons, including housing, education, rehabilitation, and employment coaching.

Massachusetts has a disenfranchisement rate of 0.3%, and only felons who are currently incarcerated are ineligible to vote. Felons who are on parole or probation can vote in Massachusetts.

7. Kansas

• • Background check restriction: Yes
  • Salary cap: $20,000
  • # of reentry programs: 6
  • 3-year recidivism rates: 35.90%
  • % current and ex-prisoners: 5.5 %

The state of Kansas also implements the ban-the-box law, which requires employers to conduct a criminal background check for no more than 7 years. Every correctional facility in this Sunflower state has a few programs, such as education and employment coaching, that can help felons organize their lives.

Every convict in Kansas will lose their voting rights, but they can get them back by reapplying after being released from prison. For the last three years, the recidivism rate has been only 33.1% since felons receive much support.

8. New York

• • Background check restriction: Yes
  • Salary cap: $25,000
  • # of reentry programs: 7
  • 3-year recidivism rates: 42.60%
  • % current and ex-prisoners: 3.5 %

New York is one of the felon-friendly states that helps them smoothly transition into their society by conducting a 7-year background check limit. At least, there are more than five programs for felons that allow them to easily find jobs, education, housing, legal services, and health services.

With a salary cap of $25,000, they take a broad approach to providing assistance to felons. However, the data demonstrates that about 42.60% of ex-convicts commit crimes again.

9. Maryland

• • Background check restriction: Yes
  • Salary cap: $20,000
  • # of reentry programs: 1
  • 3-year recidivism rates: 40.50%
  • % current and ex-prisoners: 6.5%

It is known that Maryland has joined a state-wide ban-the-box law that prohibits employers from asking for criminal records or performing background checks on felons for more than 7 years. This state sets a salary cap of $20,000 per year.

Every incarcerated individual will lose their rights to vote, but they can be restored by re-applying them so they can vote in Maryland, which may affect their political participation and representation.

Just like other states, Maryland has a few programs that help felons re enter society easier. These include housing, counseling, rehabilitation facilities, and others. However, the recidivism rate in Maryland has increased by roughly 40.50%.

10. Colorado

• • Background check restriction: Yes
  • Salary cap: $75,000
  • # of reentry programs: 3
  • 3-year recidivism rates: 50.00%
  • % current and ex-prisoners: 6.5%

With a salary cap of $75,000, Colorado is one of the states with a 7-year rule, meaning employers are not allowed to do a criminal background check for more than seven years. This state definitely has centers across the state that provide supportive environments for ex-convicts who need rehabilitation.

This re-entry program can really help felons adapt to their society, so they can easily find a job and housing. Regardless of the useful programs offered, Colorado has increased the recidivism rate to 50%.

11. Texas

• • Background check restriction: Yes
  • Salary cap: $75,000
  • # of reentry programs: –
  • 3-year recidivism rates: 21.40%
  • % current and ex-prisoners: –

Texas is one of the felon-friendly states that is interested in integrating felons into their society. With a salary cap of $75,000, this state offers employment training programs to help ex-convicts find meaningful jobs.

By implementing the ban-the-box law, the state government of Texas doesn’t allow employers to ask for criminal records on felons or run a background check for more than 7 years. Ex-convicts will regain their voting rights by reapplying their civil rights after being released from prison.

12. New Hampshire

• • Background check restriction: Yes
  • Salary cap: $20,000
  • # of reentry programs: 3
  • 3-year recidivism rates: 47.10%
  • % current and ex-prisoners: 3.5%

In 2020, New Hampshire finally became the latest state to apply ban-the-box laws. With the use of this law, the state government prohibits employers from conducting a criminal background check for more than 7 years. It actually prevents discrimination in employment recruitment.

With a salary cap of $20,000, this state offers some constructive programs for felons that allow them to easily find a job, get a better education, and have comfortable housing, like a halfway house. But New Hampshire reported that the recidivism rate for the last three years is about 47.10%.

Keep in mind that the states mentioned above definitely offer a second chance for felons by requiring employers to not conduct criminal background checks for more than 7 years, and in some states, for a maximum of 10 years. Well, this rule makes them the most felon-friendly states.