NCJ Number
127137
Date Published
1983
Length
128 pages
Annotation
This 2-year study compared the treatment of white and minority offenders at key decision points in the criminal justice processing of approximately 1,400 male prison inmates in California, Michigan, and Texas.
Abstract
The study data came from the California Offender-Based Transaction Statistics which tracks offender processing from arrest to sentencing, and the Rand Inmate Survey which yielded data from self-reports of approximately 1,400 male prison inmates in California, Michigan, and Texas. Although the case processing system generally treated offenders similarly, there were racial differences at two key points. Minority suspects were more likely than whites to be released after arrest; however, after a felony conviction, minority offenders were more likely than whites to be given longer sentences and to be put in prison instead of jail. There were no statistically significant differences that implied discrimination against minorities in corrections. Implications for future research and policy are discussed. 11 figures, 31 tables, and 160 references