In: Psychology
Discuss the racial disparities that allegedly exist within our criminal justice system.
Racial Disparities refers to distinguish that may be related to the racial discrimination. Sometimes our Criminal justice system is also influenced by racial disparities. According to the researchers, so many people in US are suffering for racial disparities since a long time. Most number of black Americans are the target of racial disparities that allegedly exist with Criminal Justice System. There are different phases of Racial Disparities in the Criminal Justice System. Such as
Harassment for Drug Abuse- According to a statistical Survey, police have arrested black Americans more than the white Americans. According to the Federal information, white Americans are also using drugs like Black Americans and even white Americans are using and selling more drugs rather than the Black Americans. But still Criminal Justice System has the tendency to proof that Black Americans are using more Drugs. This is the Clear example of racial disparities in criminal justice. (Petersilia, 1983)
Being Jailed- A significant researches in the year 2014 have found that, more Black Americans were jailed rather than White Americans. According to the researches, this disparity mostly happens because Black defendants sometimes unable to afford the pay bail. But sometimes black Americans had no option for bail. But a white American can got his or her bail easily if she or he can afford the pay bail.(Harris and Beckett)
Excluded from Juries- Researches have found that, Black Americans were being excluded from juries just because of racial disparities. Lawyers were creating discrimination and were excluding those black defenders from juries. This also a perfect example of racial disparities that exist within the Criminal justice system.
Cars Searched - According to the relevant evidence, the cars of black Americans are being searched more than the cars of white Americans. Police always likes to search a card owned by the Black Americans. But in comparison, police less likely to search the car of a White American.(Sampson and Lauritsen, 1997)
References- Harris, A. and Beckett, K., Racial Disparities in Criminal Justice.
Sampson, R.J. and Lauritsen, J.L., 1997. Racial and ethnic disparities in crime and criminal justice in the United States. Crime and justice, 21, pp.311-374.
Petersilia, J., 1983. Racial disparities in the criminal justice system. Santa Monica, CA: Rand Corporation.
Petersilia, J., 1985. Racial disparities in the criminal justice system: A summary. Crime & Delinquency, 31(1), pp.15-34.