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Staying in Jobs and Out of the Underground: Child Support Policies that Encourage Legitimate Work |
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From Center for Law and Social Policy: Over 670,000 people were released from prison into the community in 2004. Fathers typically enter prison with a $10,000 child support debt and leave owing $20,000 or more. High levels of child support debt accumulating during incarceration can create an untenable financial situation for fathers in low-wage jobs. Many fathers released from prison will respond to child support enforcement pressures by reentering the underground economy and resuming their old way of life. This policy brief explains why policymakers and practitioners should manage the child support obligations of incarcerated and re-entering men to help them maintain regular employment, limit participation in the underground economy, reduce recidivism, and provide steady support to their children over time. Research has shown that men released from prison who obtain steady jobs and maintain family relationships have lower recidivism rates. Because child support policies impact employment and family decision making, these policies may play a pivotal role in increasing or reducing recidivism.
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