It's not simple economics. In fact, it is estimated that this is costing the U.S. $65 billion annually in lost GDP. And this would not account for the added cost of welfare and crime for those scrambling to make ends meet in the absence of employment. Why would a company rather hire someone without a criminal record? Is it because those people don't commit crimes? Think again. Cops commit crimes all the time, and they enjoy the most comprehensive and exclusionary background check regimes on the planet. 
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