Male Incarceration and Female Labor Market Outcomes

The prevalence of male incarceration in the United States has important unintended consequences for women. Two early studies find positive external effects of male incarceration on female labor market outcomes in general. However, we know very little about the labor market outcomes of women directly affected by male incarceration. This study evaluates how female labor market outcomes change when a male partner is currently incarcerated. It finds substantial and robust evidence that a male partner’s current incarceration lowers female weekly earnings at extensive and intensive margins, while raising female unemployment odds at the extensive margin. These negative consequences on female labor market outcomes warrant further policy attention.