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Chapter 19. Race, Ethnicity, and Corrections. definition. “race”. traditionally, a biological concept used to distinguish humankind into categories related to skin color & other physical features. definition. “ethnicity”.
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Chapter 19 Race, Ethnicity, and Corrections
definition “race” • traditionally, a biologicalconcept used to distinguish humankind into categories related to skin color & other physical features
definition “ethnicity” • concept used to distinguish people according to their culturalcharacteristics--language, religion, & group traditions • ethnicity can be used to further distinguish not only among white individuals, but among African Americans, as well. • it can also be used to even further subdivide Hispanics.
crime, race & ethnicity by the numbers • fact: men of color, especially, young men, are disproportionately locked up in U.S. prisons & jails, or otherwise under control of the criminal justice system in America: • 1/2 U.S. prison population is black • black men are 7 times more likely than whites to have been incarcerated at some time in prison • 1 in 3 black men in their 20s is under correctional supervision in U.S. • 56% of young black men in Baltimore… • 50% of black men 18-35 in D.C.
incarceration rate of males,by racial/ethnic group number of men incarcerated per 100,000 of each group
% of black men in prison vs. in U.S. population % of black men men in U.S. prisons vs.in general population
definition “disparity” • the inequality of treatment of one group (compared to the treatment accorded other groups) by the criminal justice system • disparity may be based on legal (eg, criminal record) or illegal, or improper, (eg, race) grounds
definition “discrimination” • differential treatment of groups without reference to an individual’s behavior or qualifications
Explanations of racial disparity in criminal justice alternative views: why men of color are disproportionately represented in criminal justice system query: does disparity in criminal justice system amount to discrimination? differential criminality racist criminal justice system racist society they do more (serious) crimes, with more serious prior records, other characteristics warranting prison
definition “self-report study” • an investigation of behavior (like criminal activity) based onsubjects’ responses to questions concerning their involvement in those activities
self-reported crime, by gender % of men & women in US. who admitted committing various offenses, 1947
U.S. children in poverty, by race/ethnicity % of U.S. children of each race/ethnicity
Explanations of racial disparity in criminal justice alternative views: why men of color are disproportionately represented in criminal justice system query: does disparity in criminal justice system amount to discrimination? differential criminality racist criminal justice system racist society they do more (serious) crimes, with more serious prior records, other characteristics warranting prison incremental decisions all across criminal justice system work to their disadvantage; but no obvious racism
race of suspect vs. race of arrestee (rape) comparison of UCR (arrests) & NCVS (victims’ perception of offender)
race of suspect vs. race of arrestee (robbery) comparison of UCR (arrests) & NCVS (victims’ perception of offender)
race of suspect vs. race of arrestee (agg. assault) comparison of UCR (arrests) & NCVS (victims’ perception of offender)
race of suspect vs. race of arrestee (simple assault) comparison of UCR (arrests) & NCVS (victims’ perception of offender)
Explanations of racial disparity in criminal justice alternative views: why men of color are disproportionately represented in criminal justice system query: does disparity in criminal justice system amount to discrimination? differential criminality racist criminal justice system racist society they do more (serious) crimes, with more serious prior records, other characteristics warranting prison incremental decisions all across criminal justice system work to their disadvantage; but no obvious racism criminal justice system is simply a reflection of racism in American society
evidence of broader racism • crack cocaine (used in greater proportion by inner-citypeople of color) is punished 100 times more severely (by federal sentencing guidelines) than its virtually identical white-powder equivalent (used in greater proportion by white offenders) • stronger association betweenunemployment rates & imprisonment rates than between crime rates & imprisonment rates • relationshipbetween racism & criminal justice system may be reciprocal, perpetuating minority status & criminality
social significance of race and punishment • opportunity costs for minority individuals • cannot be earning a living • cannot be attending school • cannot be parenting • cannot be voting and partaking of “free” society • opportunity costs for minority communities • alienation of entire generation of young adults from involvement & commitment to larger society • social disruption, due to absence of major segment of its adult population • generalized suspicion of criminal justice system by major portion of society