Alexander Hamilton Institute for the Study of Western Civilization (AHI) Academic Advisor Peter Coclanis recently published an op-ed in The News & Observer on job profiling. In the article “For Former Criminals, Don’t Ban the Box: Expand it,” Clocanis discusses the movement in many cities and states to eliminate the criminal-record box from job applications. He concludes:

“Instead of banning the box, however well intended it might be, we would do better to expand it and ask applicants to explain the tick and one’s trajectory ever since. Even more info via meaningful interviews or rigorous reference checks would help, too, if we really wanted to improve the job chances of those who have criminal records and need – and deserve – another chance.”

Peter Coclanis is Albert R. Newsome Professor of History, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill and director of the Global Research Institute.