...crime, women have generally been perceived as disregarded and discriminated in the criminal justice system. Various stereotypes and assumptions about females in the criminal justice system, saw feminist perspectives challenge the theories, concepts and assumptions of those involved in the study of crime (Bryant, 2014). This essay begins by firstly providing a brief description and its origins, how feminist theories causes crime, how its theory defines crime, the multiple feminist perspectives within feminism and how feminist criminology attempts to combat crime. It will then discuss the relevance and how feminist theory influences the criminal justice system, such as women’s role as professionals, as well as women as offenders and victims (Schram & Tibbetts 2013, p. 285). Finally, this essay will examine the applicability to Australian society by exploring if the suggested causes of crime apply to Australian society. It will lastly draw on the criticisms of feminist criminology and how the different types of feminist perspectives lessons the relevance of this theory in Australian society. Outlining the theory Feminist criminology first developed in the 1960’s and 1970’s which was closely associated with the emergence of the Second Wave of Feminism (White, Haines & Asquith 2012, p. 143). The Second Wave of Feminism saw the advent of many issues such as social, political and material inequalities (White, Haines & Asquith 2012, p. 143). Because men were mostly privileged as a group...
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...The United States criminal justice system, an outwardly fair organization of integrity and justice, is a perfect example of a seemingly equal situation, which turns out to be anything but for women. The policies imposed in the criminal justice system affect men and women in extremely dissimilar manners. I plan to examine how gender intersects with the understanding of crime and the criminal justice system. Gender plays a significant role in understanding who commits what types of crimes, why they do so, who is most often victimized, and how the criminal justice system responds to these victims and offenders. In order to understand the current state of women and the way in which gender relates to crime and criminal justice, it is first necessary to provide a comprehensive analysis of the historical evolution of women in the criminal justice system and the affect that the different waves of feminism have had on policies and practices towards women in this system. I plan to argue that the criminal justice system is another form of patriarchal control, a sexist organization which creates conflict between the private sphere of a woman's life and the public. This control extends far beyond the just incarcerated women, it affects all women. Despite the fact that there have been changes to certain policies and prison regulations, though made with resistance, none of the changes have been for the better. By looking at past and present situations as well as the differing feminist perspectives...
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...The criminal justice system uses a lot of terminology that can be hard to understand, two words commonly used are disparity and discrimination. In this essay I will define and give current examples of the terminology. I will also explain why knowing the difference between the two is important in the criminal justice system. Disparity and discrimination are similar terms. You might be asking yourself what is disparity? Disparity can be defined as a lack of similarity or equality. Diversity can be defined as the condition of having or being composed of differing elements. One current and highly controversial form of discrimination that we are facing worldwide is same sex marriages. No matter if you are for it or against it you have seen or been affected in some way by the topic. By not allowing same sex marriages to be validated we are discriminating against the gay and lesbian community. There are still many forms of discrimination that take place in today’s society; unfortunately a lot of discrimination is racially based. We also see a lot of gender based discrimination; typically men are still paid more than women for the exact same job. America is the most racially diverse demographic nation in the world. Many people working the criminal justice systems are aware of the racial disparity and would like to counteract it. Racial disparity in the criminal justice system exists when the proportion of the racial or ethnic group within control of the system is greater than the...
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...Sociology Introduction One of the most important trends in the study of sociology is the inevitable social inequality in the society. When talk about inequality, sociologists usually link stratifying institutions which label people into social categories such as the educational system and the formal labor market. The three articles discussed below explore the different faces of inequality in society. These articles are Incarceration and Stratification (2010), The Mark of Criminal Record (2003) and The Black-White Test Score Gap (2004). The overarching theme that will be pointed out below is inequality face by black people in the United States. These articles show inequalities face by black people in three different landscapes: incarceration cells, employment, and education. This paper included the role of media in the proliferation of racial inequality between white and black people. Lastly, this paper also presented the missing gaps on literature and how should we address the problem of racial inequality. Summary Inequality is present in incarceration cells. Wakefield and Uggen (2010) claimed that incarceration became a powerful “engine of social inequality that plays a massive and racialized part in the contemporary stratification system” (Wakefield and Uggen, 2010, p. 388). The study conducted by Wakefield and Uggen (2010) covers the scope of imprisonment and the process of selection into prison. The authors then proceed by giving the implications of incarceration in...
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...similar, both meaning lack of similarity and or inequality. Even though, in the criminal justice sytsem these words have diffenet meanings. These two terms have been evaluated within the criminal justice system, the dicrimination and disparity of ethic and racial groups have been recognized for a long time by some. At sometime or other disparity maybe the result of discrimination within the justice system in some situations. Disparity refers to the inequality in all aspects within the criminal justice system, for certain groups of individuals it conists og arrest to sentencing; this nearly will always refer back to ethic and racial disparity. Racial disparity is present within the criminal justice system as the porportion of an ethic or racial group is within the control of the system are greater than the the porportion of such groups within the general population ( The Sentencing Project,2008). Even though, it may not always be a relation to intentional discrimination racial disparity has been definately established within our justice system. Discrimination is defined as a distinction based on personal characteristics of an individual resulting in some degree of disadvantage to the indiviudual ( Law Encyclopedia, 2011). In order for us to better understand the similarities and differences between these two terms researchers have recently created the discrimination/disparity continuum in regards to the criminal justice system processes. Five elements consist on this spectrum...
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...Ohio State University law professor and civil rights activist Michelle Alexander, author of "The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness," reports there are more African American men in prison and jail, or on probation and parole, than were slaves before the start of the Civil War. Statistics reported in 2006, by the U.S .Department of Justice, Bureau of Statistics support this claim, which show that Blacks made up 41 percent of the nation’s 2 million prison and jail inmates, while Non-Hispanic whites made up 37 percent and Hispanics made up 19 percent. The disproportionate ratio of blacks to whites who are incarcerated is especially great in Iowa, Vermont, New Jersey, Connecticut, Wisconsin, North Dakota, and South Dakota – greater than 10-to-1 (USJB, 2006). Why this structural inequality towards African Americans is happening, why it matters, and suggestions to rectify this, are issues that are discussed in this paper. Why is this happening? Since 1970, the U.S. has experienced a large and rapid increase in the rate at which people, regardless of race, are housed in federal and state correctional facilities (Snyder, 2011). This rapid growth in the prison population has been attributed in a large part to the rate at which individuals are incarcerated for drug offenses, especially minorities (Snyder, 2011). Between1995 and 2003, the number of people in state and federal prisons incarcerated for drug offenses increased by 21 percent, from 280,182 to 337...
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...and Discrimination Kary L. Wilson CJA/344 Cultural Diversity in Criminal Justice December 5, 2011 Benjamin Harm Disparity and Discrimination This assignment will compare and contrast the terms disparity and discrimination. Sufficient background and examples of disparity and discrimination from the criminal justice system will be used to support persuasively the development of each term. First, the term disparity will be defined, developed, and supported with examples from the criminal justice system. Second, the term discrimination will be brought into focus, defined, and supported accordingly. Third, the similarities, and differences between the terms will be brought into discussion. The assignment will conclude by defining the applicability of the problem as it relates to these terms and will attempt to suggest a solution in curbing or even eliminating discrimination and disparity within the system. It is often said that the American Criminal Justice System directly discriminates against minorities based on race, gender, ethnicity, religion, and economic status. To clarify the credibility of such statement, one must be able to understand that deeply weaved within such claim stands the issue of disparity. Disparity and discrimination are two important social factors affecting the American socio-cultural aspects, especially those aspects related to the criminal justice system. Often, these similar terms are used interchangeably, however, they...
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...The future of the US Criminal Justice System considering current affairs is influenced by various injustices and disparities. The U.S. Criminal Justice System is mainly influenced by the U.S. Constitution's Bill of Rights. The assumption of innocence, due process of law, double jeopardy, mass incarceration, inequity and gun law disparities to name a few are constantly at odds with current affairs. The U.S. Constitution shapes the U.S. Criminal Justice System with rights and due process for all citizens. The US Criminal Justice System is currently faced with challenges of prison overcrowding, mental health, drug offenses, inequity and gun violence. American society keeps asking for changes to be made to each part of the system. Changes and the...
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...SOCIAL JUSTICE This is a sample paper for Dr. Matthew Robinson’s class … CJ 5150, “American Justice System and Social Justice” at Appalachian State University The paper is not be used for any purpose other than illustration for students in the class!!! Social Justice versus Criminal Justice Appalachian State University Social Justice versus Criminal Justice In this paper I will discuss how different aspects, policies, and procedures of the United States criminal justice system are inconsistent with the principles of social justice posited by John Rawls and David Miller. The criminal justice system does not promote socially just outcomes or practices. First of all, the criminal justice system is not really a system at all; it is a network. Second, criminal justice places greater emphasis on crime control, rather than due process rights. Our system encourages punishment rather than rehabilitation. Finally, criminal justice policies such as the death penalty and the war on drugs reflect prejudices within the system, resulting in unequal treatment. Before beginning to explain these flaws within criminal justice, I will first define social justice and explain the essential social justice principles suggested in Rawls and Miller’s theories. Social Justice Justice is based on two supposedly equal conceptions. First, guilty offenders are held accountable for their actions and second, that criminal justice processes...
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...deprivation. The economic deprivation creates a sense of envy or injustice from the awareness of inequality resulting in deviant behavior (Jacobs, 2013). The cycle of crime, punishment, and poverty rise from victimization and collateral sanction for individuals and minor social groups from stratification and economic deprivation. The collateral sanction limit resources for the improvement of social status, employment...
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...Stirling McKelvie Art2090: Hammurabi’s Code Dr. Palm 30 August 2016 Introduction The Hammurabi’s Code was meant to ensure justice for everyone, but not equally. Upon reading the codes, I realized that there was a great deal of inequality between genders and social classes. In some cases, paying a sum to the elders helped get you out of being executed. Slaves were looked at as property rather than individuals. Helping a slave escape was just the same as theft. If someone’s house was a target for burglary, the community would compensate for stolen goods. Nevertheless, this would only apply to those of high social status considering the poor didn’t have much property or goods. Feelings Associated with Gender One initial feeling I experienced...
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...including the state, the law and the criminal justice system. Their function is to serve the ruling-class interests and maintain the capitalist society. Marxists agree that the law is enforced against powerless groups and that labelling often results in further deviance. They see crime and deviance as not coming from moral or biological defects but defects within social order and therefore crime is an inevitable part of capitalism as it stems from social inequality. For Marxists, crime is inevitable in capitalism because capitalism is criminogenic. Capitalism is based on the exploitation of the working class and therefore is particularly damaging to the working class which may give rise to crime. Alienation and the lack of control over their lives may lead to frustration and aggression, resulting in non-utilitarian crimes such as vandalism and violence. Crime may also be the only way they can obtain the consumer goods encouraged by capitalist advertising, resulting in utilitarian crimes such as theft. Therefore, it can be said a strength of the Marxist explanation of crime is that is it explains the causes of both utilitarian and non-utilitarian crime of the working class. However, one could argue that this view is too deterministic and over-predicts the amount of crime in the working class: not all poor people commit crime, despite the pressures of poverty. Nonetheless, crime is not confined to the working class. Capitalism is a ‘dog eat dog’ system of ruthless competition among...
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...Running head: IS JUSTICE TRULY BLIND? Is Justice Truly Blind The structure by which offenders are detained and reprimanded is one of the supports of any democratic system. However in order for that arrangement to remain feasible, the community must be convinced that individuals in resembling circumstances are treated the same and with consistency, from the original exploration of the offense, to the hearing and penalty of that crime, down to the prosecutors and the judges. This process is not optional, but rather guaranteed by the Constitution of law despite race, gender or ethnicity (Justice on Trial, 2012). As we know our criminal justice system today, it appears to be operating far from this principle. Somehow in the arena of criminal justice, racial discrimination is increasing instead of diminishing. Disparate treatment of minorities differentiates every point in the course of action. Black and Hispanic Americans, as well as other minority groups, are mistreated by inconsistent targeting and unreasonable treatment by the police and other law enforcement officials; by the racially distorted charging and plea bargaining resolutions offered by prosecutors, biased punishments, and by the letdown of judges, nominated officials and other criminal justice guidelines used to remedy the unfairness of justice that has become more obvious as time goes on (Justice on Trial, 2012). All of these issues add to the opinion that lawlessness is a colored and minority...
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...community hospitals and health clinics, or workforce development programs allows a community to have lower crime rates because the community functions through methods of prosperity. Programs such as criminal justice interventions including police initiatives, probation, parole, or prison are set in place to prevent future crimes from taking place. Over the past four decades, the United States has become increasingly reliant on incarceration as the major “tool” for reducing crime and increasing public safety. As a result of this action, the prison population has skyrocketed, rising a staggering 500% with the...
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...Jaclyn Glovasky EN 102 111 10/29/2015 Inequality in Criminal Court Sex refers to the biological and physiological characteristics, while gender refers to behaviors, roles, expectations, and activities in society. Social inequality plays a big part in who commits crime, who is victimized by crime, and how it is dealt with. Inequality can be based on gender, race, and social class. Being part of a family is central to the development of sex roles. Women’s role is learned to be nurturing, caring and keep the family unit running smoothly, whereas men connect the family to the larger world, through achievement, goal attainment and breadwinning in the instrumental role. However, problems arise with the assumption that because women...
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