BLACK-SHIFT PHENOMENON IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE - RESEARCH NOTE

• NCJ Number: 40100
• Journal: Justice System Journal Volume: 2 Issue: 2 Dated: (WINTER 1976) Pages: 185-194
• Author(s): S T ADAMS
• Date Published: 1976
• Length: 10 pages
• Corporate Author: Institute for Court Management
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

ARTICLE PROBES WHETHER THERE IS RACIAL BIAS ON THE PART OF ARRESTING OFFICERS, DEFENSE COUNSEL, PROSECUTORS, AND JUDGES IN A STUDY OF FEMALE ARRESTEES IN WASHINGTON, D.C.

Abstract

THE AUTHOR FOUND THAT BLACK FEMALES, 18 AND OLDER, WERE CONSISTENTLY SENTENCED TO LONGER JAIL SENTENCES THAN THEIR WHITE COUNTERPARTS. BLACK WOMEN WERE ALSO FOUND TO HAVE HAD MORE PREVIOUS ARRESTS THAN A SAMPLE OF THEIR WHITE COUNTERPARTS. VICTIMS OF ROBBERIES REPORTED THAT 52 PERCENT OF THEIR ASSAILANTS WERE BLACK, YET POLICE ROBBERY ARRESTS TOTALED 63 PERCENT BLACK AND 37 PERCENT WHITE. THE AUTHOR CONCLUDES FROM THIS AND OTHER INFORMATION THAT RACIAL BIAS EXISTS IN THE WASHINGTON, D.C., CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM....BS