Finding a new way forward

One in three Americans has a criminal record. Even after fulfilling their justice system obligations, they often face significant barriers to employment and economic opportunity, costing billions to the U.S. economy annually. Through policy advocacy and our own hiring practices, we're helping to remove some of those barriers.

We see the power in second chances every day. Nearly 10% of our new hires annually in the U.S. have previous arrest or conviction records with no bearing on their roles. That’s because we’re leveling the playing field for new hires by “banning the box” – an effort that removes the requirement to disclose criminal records on job applications, and supporting legislation that help more people access meaningful careers in financial services.

video poster alt

The Waiting Workforce

Millions of Americans with criminal records face barriers to meaningful employment. This ‘waiting workforce’ presents a missed economic opportunity. Learn more about how common sense legislation could help reduce barriers to employment.

video poster alt

Clearing past records with expungement clinics

Arrest or conviction records remain a barrier to housing and employment, even for people whose records are eligible for clearing. We are expanding our pilot expungement clinics to help people start with clean slates. 

video poster alt

Second Chance and employment opportunities

Clean Slate legislation helps to clear records which can help increase individual earnings by 20%. Policy reform and inclusive hiring practices can help more people access meaningful careers.

Achieving more together

  

  • 50

  • companies in the Second Chance Business Coalition support lowering barriers to work

  • 9%

  • of JPMorganChase U.S. hires in 2023 had a prior record with no bearing on their roles

Jamie Dimon

If you paid your debt to society, you should be allowed to work.

Jamie Dimon

Chairman and CEO of JPMorganChase

Read more

The Waiting Workforce

People who have fulfilled their justice system obligations often still face significant barriers in their search for meaningful employment.
 

The complex paperwork needed to clear their records keeps millions of people from supporting their families and communities. This ‘waiting workforce’ costs the US up to $87 billion a year in economic growth.
 

See how we can help lower barriers to employment and create more opportunities for the Waiting Workforce.

Featured stories

Stories

Second Chance Hiring Strengthens Workforce and Could Add $87 Billion to the Economy 

Read more
Lawyer handing over legal document at  a meeting in a cafe

Stories

Op-ed: Clean Slate Act Can Strengthen New York's Economy and Communities

Read more

Stories

Giving People a Second Chance: How JPMorgan Chase is Removing Barriers Through Policy, Community Partnerships and Reforms to its Own Hiring Practices

Nan Gibson, Executive Director, JPMorgan Chase PolicyCenter, and Jared Evans, Community Manager for the Stony Island, Chicago Chase Branch, sat down to share their experiences advancing JPMorgan Chase’s nationwide Second Chance Agenda.

Read more

Stories

Bank CEO: People with criminal records should be hired. Columbus program proof it works.

Read more