EMPIRICAL EXAMINATION OF CONFLICT THEORY - RACE AND SENTENCE LENGTH

• NCJ Number: 40767
• Author(s): J E DISON
• Date Published: 1976
• Length: 158 pages
• Sale Source: UMI Dissertation Services
• Publication Type: Thesis/Dissertation
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: NORTH TEXAS STATE UNIVERSITY - DISSERTATION

Annotation

THIS DISSERTATION STUDIES THE CONTENTION THAT THE POWERLESS RECEIVE MORE SEVERE CRIMINAL SENTENCES THAN DO THE POWERFUL.

Abstract

THE AUTHOR BASED HIS RESEARCH ON A STUDY OF THE PERSONS INCARCERATED IN THE TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS FOR ROBBERY. MEMBERS OF MINORITIES WERE ALLEGED TO REPRESENT THE POWERLESS. MEASURES OF ASSOCIATION AND SELECTED CONTROL VARIABLES WERE USED DEALING WITH CHARACTERISTICS OF THE VICTIM, CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE CRIME, AND CIRCUMSTANCES OF LEGAL DISPOSITION. THE STUDY FOUND A WEAK RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN RACE OF THE OFFENDER AND SENTENCE LENGTH, EVEN CONSIDERING PROPORTIONAL REDUCTION IN ERROR. THESE FINDINGS TEND NOT TO SUPPORT THE CONFLICT PERSPECTIVE OF SOCIETAL REACTION TO CRIME....BDS