Hiring formerly incarcerated individuals has risen in the public mind as more states and cities pass ban-the-box laws. In June, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) gave states more than $2.2 million in Fidelity Bonding Demonstration Grants to help such individuals find employment. According to DOL, the grant’s purpose is to educate employers and the public on the bonds’ availability and benefits and to encourage employers to hire those with criminal backgrounds.
