Punishment and Disadvantage - Are There Differentials in Treatment Among Federal Offenders?

• NCJ Number: 96616
• Author(s): S L Myers
• Date Published: 1983
• Length: 42 pages
• Grant Number(s): 79-NI-AX-0073; Soc-7908295; RF-78047
• Sponsoring Agency: National Science Foundation; National Institute of Justice (NIJ); US Dept of Justice NIJ Pub
• Corporate Author: University of Wisconsin, Madison
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/; Rockefeller Foundation; NCJRS Photocopy Services
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This paper develops an econometric procedure for establishing the existence and efficiency of racial differences in the Punishment of Federal prisoners.

Abstract

A test of 'residual discrimination' in prison commitment rates and time served is performed. A large and statistically significant racially discriminatory gap in time served is found. Black Federal offenders would serve 5.6 fewer months in prison if treated the same as white offenders. The residual racial gap in punishment, however, would be deemed 'efficient' if its elimination would increase black crime rates. A conceptual test is performed that shows in fact the residual gap in inefficient. There are similarly found to be racial differentials in preprison employment disadvantage, although elimination of these differentials would have but a small narrowing effect on the racial gap in post-prison recidivism. Tabular data and 24 bibliographic listings are provided. (Author abstract modified)