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Thinking about the Over-Representation of Certain Groups in the Canadian Criminal Justice System: A Conceptual Framework. Cheryl Marie Webster Department of Criminology, University of Ottawa and Anthony N. Doob Centre of Criminology, University of Toronto. What We are NOT Discussing.
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Thinking about the Over-Representation of Certain Groups in the Canadian Criminal Justice System: A Conceptual Framework Cheryl Marie Webster Department of Criminology, University of Ottawa and Anthony N. Doob Centre of Criminology, University of Toronto
What We are NOT Discussing • A full review of the Canadian literature on this topic • Under-representation of certain groups in criminal justice professions • Methodological concerns of measurement • Solutions per se
What we WILL be Discussing • Conceptual framework for thinking about the issue • Rejection of the simplistic notions frequently used to explain the over-representation of certain group • ‘bad’ people (simple crime rate hypothesis) • ‘bad’ decisions (simple discrimination hypothesis) • Focus on the complexities of the processes which lead to certain groups being disadvantaged in relation to criminal justice system
Complexities in Understanding Differential Criminal Justice Outcomes across Groups • Contextual Factors • Behavioural Factors • ‘Fear Factor’ • Normative Factors
Conclusions • Simplistic explanations should be rejected • do not accurately describe reality • do not suggest possible solutions • Balanced solutions • Within criminal justice system • Within wider society • Solutions within criminal justice system • Focus on procedural sources of disadvantage • Recognition of collateral effects of criminal justice policies • Focus on fairness • Broader societal solutions • Accept and address causes of group differences • Address disadvantaged communities