Established by the Legal Action Center in 2001, the National Helping Individuals with criminal records Re-enter through Employment (H.I.R.E.) Network is both a national clearinghouse for information and an advocate for policy change. It is one of several special projects at the Legal Action Center. The goal of the National H.I.R.E. Network is to increase the number and quality of job opportunities available to people with criminal records by changing public policies, employment practices and public opinion. (Read the National H.I.R.E. Network’s operating principles and advocacy priorities to learn more.)
HIRE accomplishes these goals by providing leadership on public policy advocacy, providing technical assistance and training on overcoming labor market barriers based on a criminal record, and promoting collaboration between individuals directly affected by the criminal justice system, advocates, practitioners, researchers, and policymakers working to improve the employability of people with criminal records. The National H.I.R.E. Network is generously supported by the Open Society Foundations.