How are they victimized through hire subsidy programs? I hadn't heard of that. Do you mean that because of the program people around them at their jobs know they're ex-cons and treat them worse?

In Texas we have a taxpayer subsidized program to incentivize employers to hire ex-convicts and otherwise help ex-convicts get jobs called Project RIO. I shouldn't imply that the problem is with Project RIO, but rather with some of the unscrupulous employers who participate. The worst problem that I am aware of is that sometimes employers will illegally withhold pay, and basically the program allows unethical employers to pay below minimum or at least below market wages to parolees, force them to work overtime uncompensated, etc. The close relationship between company and parole officer puts the employer in a position to induce a lot of undue influence on a parolee-employee.

Anecdote/heresay: There is just such an employer in my town. They treat regular employees pretty badly, and Project RIO types, even worse. These poor guys don't make enough to support themselves, and thus have low/no job mobility. They all live in a gov't housing thing, on the wrong side of the tracks. They are pretty much destined to fail.

Thanks, that makes sense. (Shudder.)