Employment and mental health for adults on probation, 2002-2021

Background: The 21st century has seen a decline in employment rates in the US at the same time that it has experienced a historically unprecedented rise in the numbers of adults under criminal justice system control. Both low employment and high incarceration have posed serious challenges for public health.

Methods: Using data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health from 2002-2021, we estimated employment rates by community supervision status. Variations by sociodemographic subgroups were explored as well as correlations between employment and a range of mental and behavioural health variables.

Results: Those on probation were twice as likely as those not to live in poverty. They experienced higher rates of poor mental and behavioural health, including three times the rate of substance use. Employment rates varied little by community supervision status. Health risk factors were associated with more risk and protective factors did less to mitigate risk for those under community supervision.

Conclusions: Despite the range of adversities faced by individuals under criminal justice system control, their employment rates are remarkably close to those not. Despite near equivalent involvement in the labour force, this population has substantially poorer health and substantially reduced likelihood of escaping poverty.