Objectives: To assess the impact of positive credentials on perceptions of individuals with criminal records and whether the effects of credentials differ by the type of conviction or the criminal record holder’s race. Methods: We present fictional job applicant details to a nationwide survey of American adults (n = 5,822) using a factorial design. We manipulate whether the job applicant is Black or White and has a criminal record or not. Among those randomly assigned to have a criminal record, we also vary the type of felony (violent or drug), whether they report a positive credential, and the type of credential (if applicable). Results: Among those with criminal records, respondents viewed applicants with positive credentials more favorably than those without credentials. In fact, a supportive reference letter from a former employer mitigates most of the stigma from a criminal record. The results are consistent by applicant race as well as criminal record type, and our employer respondents react similarly to experimental conditions as compared to the overall sample. Conclusions: Our results suggest that the inclusion of positive credentials can help reduce criminal record stigma and aid in the normification process.

中文翻译：

---

犯罪记录，积极的就业证明和种族

目标：评估肯定的凭证对具有犯罪记录的人的看法的影响，以及凭证的影响是否因定罪类型或犯罪记录持有人的种族而有所不同。方法：我们使用析因设计将虚构的求职者详细信息提交给美国成年人（n = 5,822）的全国性调查。我们操纵求职者是黑人还是白人并且有犯罪记录。在被随机分配为犯罪记录的人中，我们还改变了重罪的类型（暴力或毒品），他们举报的身份证明是否为阳性以及凭据的类型（如果适用）。结果：在具有犯罪记录的人中，与没有证书的人相比，有积极证书的申请人更喜欢。事实上，前雇主的支持性推荐信减轻了犯罪记录中的大多数污名。结果与申请者的种族和犯罪记录类型一致，并且与总体样本相比，我们的雇主受访者对实验条件的反应相似。结论：我们的结果表明，包括肯定的证明可以帮助减少犯罪记录的污名，并有助于规范过程。