Chris Uggen
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chrisuggen.bsky.social
Chris Uggen
@chrisuggen.bsky.social
4.3K followers 2.3K following 350 posts
Professor, sociologist, criminologist, TheSocietyPages editor. Nerdy but sturdy. https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=8c95RVAAAAAJ&hl=en&oi=ao
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Reposted by Chris Uggen
aaronsojourner.org
How does employer access to prisoners’ labor through work release impact the well-being of those workers & of free workers?

New working paper by Sue Helper, Suresh Naidu, Akseli Palomaki, Adam Reich, + me provides evidence, focus on auto manufacturing in AL
#EconSky
papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers....
Coercion and Monopsony in Modern American Manufacturing: Evidence from Alabama Prison Labor Susan Helper Suresh Naidu Akseli Palomaki Adam Reich Aaron Sojourner We study coercion and monopsony in contemporary U.S. manufacturing labor markets. We combine administrative data from the Alabama Department of Corrections work release program with a unique survey of workers in the Alabama auto supply chain where workers report their work-release status. We first present descriptive patterns of work-release labor, finding that the use of incarcerated (i.e., work-release) labor is concentrated in the auto supply industry, especially in the Montgomery area, where Hyundai’s assembly plant is located. In the survey, the share of plant-level workers who are incarcerated is negatively correlated with non-incarcerated wages. The survey also enables estimation of hypothetical quit elasticities separately among incarcerated and non-incarcerated workers. Incarcerated workers are estimated to have quit elasticities less than half that of non-incarcerated workers. Because Alabama law requires employers to pay the same wage to incarcerated and non-incarcerated workers in the same jobs, the additional monopsony power introduced by employer access to incarcerated workers creates an incentive and ability for employers to reduce plant-level wages to, and employment of, non-incarcerated workers. We build a quantitative model of firm-specific labor supply that, for incarcerated workers, distinguishes the roles of coercion (the risk of physical harm in prison from not working), wage garnishment that blunts the consumption effect of higher wages, and monopsony (limited mobility across employers). Using it, we estimate effects on free and incarcerated workers’ welfare from i) reforming prison conditions to eliminate violence, ii) eliminating prison labor wage garnishment, iii) imposing a $15 minimum wage, &iv) abolishing prison labor. Free worker welfare goes up in all scenarios...
November 3, 2025 at 2:20 PM
chrisuggen.bsky.social
Doug's been working out! Happy Halloween from Luna, Tianhe, Sara the Purple Line, Tatum, Mallory, Chris, Dougie Balboa, Jake the Stormtrooper, and all your friends @thesocietypages.bsky.social
October 31, 2025 at 11:18 PM
chrisuggen.bsky.social
Some important legal developments re: closing the "hemp loophole" for psychoactives such as delta-8 THC. Sociologists Mark Pawson & Brian Kelly gave an enlightening talk on use, risk, and regulation at the fall ASA meetings. [1/2] www.startribune.com/hemp-ban-att...
Keith Ellison, 38 other attorneys general ask Congress to ban intoxicating hemp products
The Attorney General’s Office says it doesn’t want to shut down Minnesota’s legal hemp-derived THC market. But one lawyer said “this would kill our industry.”
www.startribune.com
October 30, 2025 at 6:25 PM
Reposted by Chris Uggen
thesocietypages.bsky.social
This week's Clippings of Soc in the News: @lizchiarello.bsky.social in @us.theconversation.com,
Patrick Sheehan in Arts X Science Magazine, Charles Derber in @thenation.com, @nancyberns.bsky.social in @theatlantic.com, & Abigail Coplin in @washingtonpost.com.

Read it here:
🔗 bit.ly/3KXjSEd 🔗
October 20, 2025 at 5:28 PM
chrisuggen.bsky.social
Jobs at CJARS -- U of Michigan's Crim. Justice Admin. Records System, a non-partisan, non-profit org building integrated data platforms on the US criminal legal system.

cjars.org/get-involved/

* Data Collection Liaison
* Web Scraping Programmer
* Research Associate
About Join
cjars.org
October 13, 2025 at 5:43 PM
chrisuggen.bsky.social
New! How prison social climate (esp. respectful and trusting relationships b/w residents and staff) can shape post-release socioemotional well-being (less unhappiness, more satisfying relationships, and more social acceptance).
-Jason Schnittker in SSM-MH www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
October 12, 2025 at 4:35 PM
chrisuggen.bsky.social
New! In Journal of Vocational Behavior: "Pathways to second chances: A multidisciplinary integrative review of 25 years of research on the employment of formerly incarcerated individuals," by CA Gorman, SC Tucker, TK Patel, JR Himmler, TF Contreras. www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
October 9, 2025 at 6:38 PM
chrisuggen.bsky.social
Jobs! ISRDI @minnpop.bsky.social is searching for 2 full-time staff for a new National Institute on Aging Demography and Economics Coordinating Center (NIA DECC).

1. DECC Coordinator, JO 370494: hr.myu.umn.edu/psc/hrprd/EM...

2. Communications Manager, JO 370497 - hr.myu.umn.edu/psc/hrprd/EM...
About the NIA DECC
Demography & Economics of Aging Coordinating Center (DECC) Contact us at decc@umn.edu Co-Directors: Gina Rumore, Cathy Fitch, and Rob Warren We aim to increase the efficiency, productivity, and impac...
z.umn.edu
October 9, 2025 at 2:52 PM
chrisuggen.bsky.social
Last week I was honored to speak at the National Research Program on Crime meeting in Stockholm—and to rediscover some family roots! The visit was a real career highlight. Tack så mycket to Hans Grönqvist, the Swedish Research Council & many new friends and old (photo credit: PO Wikström).
October 8, 2025 at 3:34 PM
chrisuggen.bsky.social
Prison Labor and Affordable Housing

“At minimum, incarcerated workers housed in county jails deserve a pay increase to cover the higher cost of living in a county jail… [and] Minnesotans need to wrestle with the language in our own state constitution.” www.startribune.com/tolkkinen-mi...
Tolkkinen: Minnesota’s Constitution allows $1-an-hour labor for inmates. Should it?
In two rural counties, that labor is being used to build affordable housing.
www.startribune.com
October 6, 2025 at 5:39 AM
chrisuggen.bsky.social
New! 2 assistant research professor positions now open with Jordan Hyatt & team at Drexel to help lead, manage, coordinate & support projects on prison conditions, Scandinavian justice, legal financial obligations, sentencing, autism, & housing.

Details: careers.drexel.edu/cw/en-us/job...
October 1, 2025 at 4:03 PM
chrisuggen.bsky.social
New UofMN music scholarship is a fine way for RHCP drummer to honor his parents, music teachers, & fellow musicians. Can't wait for the halftime show (& marching band drum-off?) on Oct. 11. And his enthusiasm here reminds me how HS music ed changed my life too. youtu.be/Aauv2yii78w?... via @YouTube
Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith launches new U of M music scholarship
YouTube video by WCCO - CBS Minnesota
youtu.be
September 28, 2025 at 6:11 PM
chrisuggen.bsky.social
“It was sometimes a tricky needle to thread … And some of Friday’s contestants couldn’t help slipping into sincerity.” www.startribune.com/university-m...
U of M crowns most ‘performative male,’ bringing TikTok trend to life
Contestants held tote bags, drank matcha and poked fun at the new Gen Z archetype.
www.startribune.com
September 26, 2025 at 12:57 PM
chrisuggen.bsky.social
New! How time since conviction and exposure to "redemption research" on risk of reoffense affect employers' willingness to call back job applicants with criminal records. -Chae Jaynes, Mateus Rennó Santos, Danielle Thomas & Katelyn Smith in J. of Crim Justice www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
September 16, 2025 at 3:39 PM
chrisuggen.bsky.social
New! Anna Anderson on Medical Debt Behind Bars

Incarcerated people have a constitutional right to care but often lack access to insurance and must bear the costs (and debt) of copays, fees, medications, emergency charges, and ambulance & hospital bills. inquest.org/medical-debt...
Medical Debt Behind Bars - Anna Anderson - Inquest
Incarcerated people accrue debt for nearly all of their medical care. This makes a mockery of their right to health care—and saddles them with devastating debt upon release.
inquest.org
September 6, 2025 at 3:51 PM
chrisuggen.bsky.social
Sharing a victim’s cherished memory brings a moment of comfort to the survivors — and the community. And reminds us that “the small interactions we have, that maybe we don’t even think twice about, can have a totally different impact on someone else.” www.startribune.com/annunciation...
Father of Annunciation victim Fletcher Merkel calls into KDWB radio
Jesse Merkel asked Falen & Colt to replay his son’s on-air segment.
www.startribune.com
September 5, 2025 at 12:05 PM
chrisuggen.bsky.social
How one European manufacturer is adjusting to US import tariffs in the vital (for me, at least) custom guitar pick industry:
September 3, 2025 at 3:39 PM
chrisuggen.bsky.social
"Video visits are good as it fits into their schedule, but they are not the same. … Giving your child a hug is worth a hundred video visits.” theconversation.com/65-000-penns...
65,000 Pennsylvania kids have a parent in prison or jail − here’s what research says about the value of in-person visits
In-person visits in prisons and jails can strengthen family relationships and reduce recidivism.
theconversation.com
September 3, 2025 at 3:04 PM
chrisuggen.bsky.social
New National Academies report on school active shooter drills (free download) calls for:
-trauma-informed drills
-ban high-sensorial, hyper-realistic, deceptive drills
-national guidance
-staff & police training
-accessibility & equity
-research & funding nap.nationalacademies.org/resource/291...
Active Shooter Drills in Schools: Protecting Mental, Emotional, and Behavioral Health
Active Shooter Drills in Schools: Protecting Mental, Emotional, and Behavioral Health
nap.nationalacademies.org
September 2, 2025 at 4:27 PM
chrisuggen.bsky.social
Love the B-school's new name but I'll miss the old logo...
mndaily.com/294866/campu...
Headline: Carlson School of Management announces rebrand
September 1, 2025 at 8:12 PM
chrisuggen.bsky.social
“Oh, yes. I’m a good suffragist. I’m enthusiastic over the ratification. I’m going to study politics and be progressive.”
-Marguerite Newburgh of South St. Paul MN (that's her at right), the first US woman to vote after enactment of the 19th Amendment, 105 years ago. mnhs.gitlab.io/archive/vote...
August 28, 2025 at 4:14 PM
chrisuggen.bsky.social
As we mourn today's Annunciation Church shooting, the reporting and photojournalism are almost too much to take in; sharing this gift link for those seeking good local coverage from Minneapolis. www.startribune.com/minneapolis-...
Live: Neighbors describe volley of gunfire in attack that killed two children, wounded 17
Sources identified Robin Westman, 23, as the shooter, who died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound at the scene. One source told the Star Tribune Westman’s mother once worked at Annunciation.
www.startribune.com
August 27, 2025 at 7:55 PM
chrisuggen.bsky.social
Good Morning! Rather than doomscrolling on your next work break, you might take a calming visit to the Minnesota State Fair’s live @mndnrewr.bsky.social Fish Cam (daylight hours, now through 9/2). www.youtube.com/live/2XCCl9j...
Live Fish Cam from the State Fair
YouTube video by Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
www.youtube.com
August 27, 2025 at 1:32 PM
chrisuggen.bsky.social
"Now that most mental effort tied to writing is optional, we need new [old] ways to require the work necessary for learning," moving away from take-home tests and toward real-time assessment via blue books & oral exams.
-Clay Shirky on the "medieval turn" in higher ed
www.nytimes.com/2025/08/26/o...
Opinion | Students Hate Them. Universities Need Them. The Only Real Solution to the A.I. Cheating Crisis.
www.nytimes.com
August 26, 2025 at 6:06 PM
chrisuggen.bsky.social
mixed signals
August 20, 2025 at 6:56 PM