NCJ Number
185149
Date Published
2000
Length
318 pages
Annotation
This book presents current research and theories of racial, ethnic, and gender discrimination within America's criminal justice system.
Abstract
The authors synthesize the best and most recent research on patterns of criminal behavior and victimization, police practices, court processing and sentencing, the death penalty, and correctional programs. The book also interprets the meaning of the existing research, as it considers whether there is systematic discrimination in the criminal justice system, and if so, where it exists, its severity, its causes, and whether any reforms have reduced it. The book assumes a multiracial and multiethnic view of crime and justice issues, since the United States is a multicultural society, with many different races, ethnic groups, and cultural lifestyles. Most of the research reviewed has ignored this diversity. Although there is a great deal of research on how African-Americans are treated by America's criminal justice system, relatively little research has been conducted on Hispanics, Native Americans, and Asian-Americans. In addition, much of the criminal justice research confuses race and ethnicity. This book does not offer a comprehensive theory of the relationship of race, ethnicity, and crime; rather, it lays the groundwork for a comprehensive theory by emphasizing the general pattern in the administration of justice with respect to race and ethnicity. Chapter notes, a 162-item selected bibliography, and a subject index