Are Females Treated Differently? A Review of the Theories and Evidence on Sentencing and Parole Decisions (From Judge Lawyer Victim Thief, P 205-220, 1982, Nicole Hahn Rafter and Elizabeth Anne Stanko, ed. - See NCJ-85486)

• NCJ Number: 85493
• Author(s): N Parisi
• Date Published: 1982
• Length: 16 pages
• Sale Source: Northeastern University Press
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

Following a brief discussion of discrimination and disparity in sentencing and parole decisions, this study outlines the major perspectives on and explanations for presumed differences in dispositions of female offenders compared to male offenders.

Abstract

Despite problems with research designs, limitations due to broad offense categories, and failures to consider prior record and other relevant factors, the data reviewed consistently show a degree of differential treatment of female offenders at aggregate levels of sentencing and parole decisions; however, when controls are introduced, contradictory results appear. Although the direction of differential dispositions is most often advantageous for females, it occasionally appears that punitive treatment is given females who commit 'manly' crimes. Sentencing studies have generally not empirically explored the possible sources of disparate dispositions between males and females. One of the reasons conjectured, however, is that females with dependent children are given less restrictive sentences to permit them to continue to care for their children. While empirical data has not established this as a prevalent rationale for giving females more lenient sentences, it seems appropriate because of the important parenting role of females in our society. Suggestions are offered for improving research in the area of sentencing and parole disparity according to sex. Forty-five notes are listed.