Skip to Main Content

Copy of Change Your World Week for grading

Disclaimer

banner text reads: Sociology for a better world: this is a page created by christina miller-bellor's students

Racial Discrimination in Sentencing

So Much Noise

 

 

Percent distribution

Offense charged

White

Black

American-Indian/Alaskan Native

Asian/Pacific Islander

Source: Table 43 in Federal Bureau of Investigation (2005). Crime in the United States, 2004.Washington, DC: US Government Printing Office.

Murder and nonnegligent manslaughter

50.5

47.2

1.1

1.2

Forcible rape

65.7

31.9

1.3

1.1

Robbery

45.2

53.3

0.6

0.9

Aggravated assault

64.9

32.7

1.3

 

In the table above it shows African Americans are more likely to be arrested for the same crime.  This data also shows that African American’s are more likely to not only be arrested for these, but often face more severe charges than another due to skin color.

The above  chart is comparing Blacks, Whites, and Hispanics sentenced to Jail/ Prison, without parole.

What is Systemic and Structural Racism?

Systemic and Structural Racism is not always a conscious action. These types of racism are within laws, polices, beliefs and practices that we have just “grown up” with over the last few decades. This could include, residential segregation, home ownership,  environmental injustices, and sentencing people of color

 

 

In the last 5 years

What Can You Do?

Sources

2023 Demographic Differences in Federal Sentencing Report, www.ussc.gov/sites/default/files/pdf/research-and-publications/research-publications/2023/20231114_Demographic-Differences.pdf. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024

 

Free, Marvin, D. “Minorities as Perpetrators and Victims of Crime.” Encyclopedia of Violence, Peace and
Conflict, edited by Lester R. Kurtz, 2nd ed., Elsevier Science & Technology, 2008. Credo Reference,
https://search.credoreference.com/articles/Qm9va0FydGljbGU6MjE3ODUxMg==?aid=95840.

 

“Https://Naacp.Org/Actions/Diversity-No-Matter-What.” Diversity No Matter What

 

Walsh, Alison. “Prison Policy Initiative.” Prison Policy Initiative, 15 Aug. 2016, www.prisonpolicy.org/. 

 

Wertheimer, Julie. “Racial Disparities Persist in Many U.S. Jails.” The Pew Charitable Trusts, The Pew Charitable Trusts, 16 May 2023, www.pewtrusts.org/en/research-and-analysis/issue-briefs/2023/05/racial-disparities-persist-in-many-us-jails.