...Racial Profiling in the U.S. Criminal Justice System Racial profiling is among the key problems that are cited in the U.S. criminal justice system. The American Civil Liberties Union(2016) defines racial profiling as a discriminatory practice by law enforcement officers of using individual’s race, ethnicity, religion among other traits as grounds for suspicion Racial profiling has particularly affected the black Americans and other minority groups. Research shows that these minority groups and especially the black Americans are overrepresented in the U.S. Criminal system despite the fact that they constitute just a small percentage of the total U.S. population. History of Racial Profiling in the United States Racial profiling is an old problem dating back to a number of centuries ago. The history of racial profiling is ingrained in a number of historical events that cast African Americans in an inferior light. In 1704, South Carolina created the first slave patrol in which white men oversaw black slaves on plantations as well as hunting down fugitive slaves. Black Americans, most of which were slaves had to produce passes as proof of having permission not to be in plantations, or if they had been emancipated, they were required to carry with them freedom papers to show that they were free. Black people were exposed to interrogations, harassments, physical torture and even death if they were found to have run away...
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...Racial Profiling in the U.S. Criminal Justice System Racial profiling is among the key problems that are cited in the U.S. criminal justice system. The American Civil Liberties Union(2016) defines racial profiling as a discriminatory practice by law enforcement officers of using individual’s race, ethnicity, religion among other traits as grounds for suspicion Racial profiling has particularly affected the black Americans and other minority groups. Research shows that these minority groups and especially the black Americans are overrepresented in the U.S. Criminal system despite the fact that they constitute just a small percentage of the total U.S. population. History of Racial Profiling in the United States Racial profiling is an old problem dating back to a number of centuries ago. The history of racial profiling is ingrained in a number of historical events that cast African Americans in an inferior light. In 1704, South Carolina created the first slave patrol in which white men oversaw black slaves on plantations as well as hunting down fugitive slaves. Black Americans, most of which were slaves had to produce passes as proof of having permission not to be in plantations, or if they had been emancipated, they were required to carry with them freedom papers to show that they were free. Black people were exposed to interrogations, harassments, physical torture and even death if they were found to have run away...
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...Race and ethnicity issues in the criminal justice system have been a pervasive and deeply concerning phenomenon. Research consistently reveals significant disparities in the treatment of different racial and ethnic groups within the system. Factors Causing the Trend One factor contributing to the disproportionate representation of certain racial and ethnic groups in the criminal justice system is the over-policing of minority communities. Law enforcement agencies often deploy more resources to neighborhoods with higher populations of minorities, leading to increased surveillance, stops, and arrests within these communities. Racial profiling, or the practice of targeting individuals for suspicion of crime based on their race or ethnicity, remains...
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...[Students name appear here] [Professor’s name appear here] Racial Profiling Date appears here Racial Profiling History is replete with examples of people that have differentiated between themselves and others that are different in any which way. This abhorrent discrimination between two human beings has not become a relic of the past; rather it still persists in our modern society in some form or the other. The United States of America is no stranger to incidents where these objectionable incidents are recorded widely, and it is not just relegated to poor neighborhoods and other similarly shady areas. Rather, it has become a permanent feature in the corporate world, Government and other similar places where these sorts of differentiations would be least expected. One community that has always been constantly repressed is the African American community. Their forefathers were brought to America’s shores as slaves, in times when slavery was still tolerated. To this day, many people in America still consider them as alien to their land. This of course leads to a host of problems across America that shows up when African Americans across the country are questioned about their fortunes. This sort of discrimination is often encouraged by many people that rather disturbingly have a lot of authority and power in making and implementing laws. Their argument is that discriminating and acting against the Black community is a viable way of making sure that Crime is kept in check. ...
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...ABSTRACT Over the years racial profiling has become a significant topic especially among law enforcement agencies across the United States. Many cities and states have made a conscious effort to study racial profiling and ascertain how race and ethnicity plays a significant role in stopping vehicles by law enforcement in their jurisdictions (Cleary, 2000). This literature review will examine the argument of whether racial profiling is practiced significantly by police agencies nationwide, and whether such practices are beneficial or not? The determination of whether race is a significant factor in the likelihood of being stopped by law enforcement is the purpose of this research. Are African Americans Targeted by Police Because of Their Race? A Review of the Literature Examining whether or not African Americans are targeted by police because of their race is an effective topic because African Americans experience it every day and the experience is not a new concept. The argument over racial profiling is based on two questions. Does racial profiling actually occur and if so, is it being used as a legitimate tool by law enforcement? The extent of racial profiling by the public is unknown; however, research reveals that “both race and personal experience with racial profiling are strong predictors in the attitudes toward profiling and that, among blacks, social class affects views of the prevalence and acceptability of the practice” (Weitzer and Tuch, 2002) thus furthering...
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...Many people have their own opinions about racial profiling but not everyone can relate realistically to it. When we are children, we are taught to not judge a book by its over but this is easier said than done. Racial profiling is the prejudiced practice by law enforcement officers and people or the use of an individual’s race, national origin and ethnicity as a belief of crime or committing an offense. Criminal profiling, mostly, as practiced by law officers, is the dependence on a type of character traits they believe to be related with felonies. Racial profiling has been a very serious issue over these past years. Identifying unlawful activities by using the practice of race as a means of profiling has been used in so many ways including...
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...2015 Male African Americans & Racial Profiling in American INTRODUCTION Considering our time and age racial profiling one of the most untouched subjects in history, especially in the law-enforcement community. Most people get it confused with criminal profiling which is not the same. Racial profiling is any police-initiated action that relies on the race, ethnicity, or national origin rather than the behavior of an individual or information that leads the police to a particular individual who has been identified as being or having been, engaged in criminal activity. Criminal profiling is any police- initiated action that used the compilation of the background, physical, behavioral, and motivational characteristics for a type of perpetrator that lead the police. Now imagine driving to the store on a cold winter day, dressed in a hoodie to keep warm. You simply pull into the parking lot in hopes of getting something nice for your daughter for the holidays. Driving the posted speed limit, you pull slowly into a parking space in the back of the store. All of a sudden, a car pulls up behind you, blocking you in. You look in your rearview mirror only to find the community crime watch officer staring you down. The officer immediately treats you like a suspect, smothering you with questions concerning what you’re doing, where you’re going; yet never really had any reasoning behind the questions. The major reason to oppose racial profiling is that it simply doesn’t work. Empirical...
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...Analysis of Racial Profiling In the Criminal Justice System Police officers today face many challenges. Some concerns include dangers or safety concerns related to being a police officer, questions of the use of force and the public’s perception of officers being corrupt. Additionally, with cases of deaths and accusations that have come to the forefront about police throughout the United Stated, questions about police racial profiling have also come to light. Today’s police are considered to be corrupt and prejudice against minorities. Their image has been tarnished and police are now seen as the enemy. Many compare today’s law enforcement officers to the police officers that were prejudice and brutalized blacks during the civil rights movement. If police are to change the public’s perception of them so they can get back to the business of protecting and serving, they must address issues of racial profiling, police brutality and the criminal just system must partner with the community to reduce crime rates and recidivism rates among minorities. First, racial profiling is defined as “any police action initiated on the basis of race, ethnicity, or national origin of a suspect; rather than on the behavior of the individual or on information that leads the police to a particular individual who has been identified as being, or having been, engaged in criminal activity (Ramirez, 2008, p.3). Originally, racial profiling was used to combat the issue of drugs and assist with...
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...Massive Incarceration: A Racial Perspective Sociology 350N Abstract In 2010 there was a significant imbalance in the incarceration rate of males within the U.S.; these differences were among the ethnic groups of Caucasian (white), Hispanic and African American (black). In reference to the number of people incarcerated per 100,000 in their individual group, black males had the highest number of inmates, followed by Hispanic males; however, white males had the lowest number of prisoners (Wagner, 2012). We must ask the question “why”. Why and how is this occurring? The United States has the highest incarceration rate in the world; so, is the system that was designed to protect and serve abusing its power. Some factors that can possibly be contributing to this disproportion is socioeconomic status, prejudices within the criminal justice system and power investments. Massive Incarceration: A Racial Perspective Introduction Today the US makes up for about 5% of the world’s population and carries 25% of the world’s prisoners, this 20% difference shows that the US imprisons more people then actually living in the country (NAACP, 2015). This is the highest prison population when compared to other countries. Records show from 1980 to 2008, the number of individuals that have been incarcerated has quadrupled from 500,000 to 2.3 million (NAACP, 2015). During that time frame crime & poverty rates have also increased dramatically, while unemployment & educational...
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...Racial Injustice: Racial Profiling and Bias and How it Affects Us “Though this nation has proudly thought of itself as an ethnic melting pot, in things racial we have always been and continue to be, in too many ways, essentially a nation of cowards.” - Eric Holder. Principle rights of U.S. citizens of different color and origin are being violated due to racial injustice; this issue is widespread, affecting many aspects of the U.S., including law enforcement, the targeted individuals, and the courts. Racially biased law enforcement here in the U.S. is one of many problems stemming from racial injustice here in the U.S. According to a study conducted by Kenneth Jost, African Americans are twice as likely as whites to be stopped by police, and...
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...Social Justice and Equality: Racial Profiling Galina Shlikht, Nicole Gordon and Becky Overstreet City University of Seattle Author’s Note Galina Shilkht, Student, City University Nicole Gordon, Student, City University Becky Overstreet, Student, City University Social Justice and Equality Team Outline (All) Conflict and Solutions 1. Faulty communication Sometimes criticism can be given inappropriately. This can result in hurting the feelings of group members leaving them feeling devalued. When this happens, we as a team believe the first thing that must be done is to be honest and let the group know how you feel. So we must acknowledge the conflict. The next appropriate step would be to discuss the conflict with all of the team members. After this, we should try and understand the situation and reach an agreement. One of the agreements could be that criticism be given appropriately and constructively. 2. Time management With work, kids, and living in different time zones it can be a challenge to find the time that works best for the three of us to discuss the details, questions, and/or concerns about our essay together. Our solution to this is to set up exact times and day, sort of like an online appointment, for when the three of us can be available via Facebook group message. 3. Personality clashes We all have our own way of doing things. Our styles of working might be different and sometimes this can cause a conflict with each other...
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...Justice System or Not? Jessica Anders Chamberlain College of Nursing Justice System or Not? According to the U.S. Justice Department, in 2003 about 10.4% of all African American men between the ages of 25-29 were incarcerated, as compared to 2.4% of Hispanic men and 1.2% on non-Hispanic White men. What is going on here? Why are black men in this age group so much more likely to be in jail than are people of white or Latino descent? Topics discussed in this paper include the most affected ethnical population in regards to criminal behavior and convictions, the difference between convictions and when/how individuals of different ethnic background are sentenced, and what the consequences may entitle based on individuals of alternate ethnical upbringing. African Americans make up 13% of the general U.S. population, yet make up 40% of all incarcerated men. While whites make up 67% of U.S. population, yet they also only make up 40% of incarcerated men. The United States has the highest incarceration rate in the world compared to other nations ("Sentencing Project," 2013). There is clearly an abundance of African American men incarcerated in the justice system as compared to men of other ethnicity (Hartney & Vuong, 2009). “If current trends continue, one in every three African American males born today can expect to go to prison in his lifetime…….,compared to one in every seventeen white males” ("Sentencing Project," 2013, p. 1) . As stated by Kirby, males of African American...
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...Minorities in the Criminal Justice System Wendell Wrice English 122 English Composition II Prof. Deborah Zeringue October 7, 2013 For many Americans the scales of justice is blind. It stands as a symbol that everyone is treated fairly in the eyes of the law. Many Americans, especially minorities this is simply not the case. In fact the United States has the highest incarceration rate in the entire world-five times the world’s average. A total of 2,380,000 are now in prison. The US has five percent of the world’s population, but 25 percent of the world’s prison population (Fisher, 2010).In fact minorities make up a large share of the prison population in the U.S. African Americans have a 32 percent chance of serving time in prison at some point of time in their lives, Hispanic males have a 17 percent chance, while white males a 6 percent chance (Fisher, 2010) . Such disproportions of incarceration rates gives reason to believe that minorities, especially African Americans commit the majority of crimes requiring incarceration or the fact that our justice system is flawed to the point where it singles out a specific racial or ethnic group. The question of why there are so many minorities especially African Americans being held in our criminal justice system leads one...
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...Racial Profiling & Police in Canada Secondary Research Abskortski, Milen. "The Pluralism Project at Harvard University." Harvard University. Web. 2 Dec. 2015. Definition: * racial profiling refers to the discriminatory practise of law enforcement that is designed to target individuals for suspicion of crime based on his or her race, ethnicity, beliefs, religion or national origin History of Racial Profiling & Police in Canada Policing over the Past 40 Years * extends from systematic issues debated in court processes to prison practises and routine aspects of policing outside of legal institutions * aallegations that the Canadian criminal justice system is racially biased, were made at various junctures by different groups over the past several decades * Since the early 1900’s, racial profiling by the police has been highly dominant. Public complaints, legal actions, empirical research and a number of high-profile incidents had brought several police practices to the forefront of the debates on racial bias of policing in Canada Stereotypes Associated with Racial Profiling Stereotyping becomes a particular concern when people act on their stereotypical views in a way that affects others. This is what leads to profiling. Although anyone can experience profiling, racialized persons are primarily affected. Typically, but not always, profiling is carried out by people in positions of authority, and can occur in many contexts involving...
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...Racial Disparities in the U.S. Judicial System Melinda Sims English Composition II Instructor Brandon Bond March 16th, 2014 Racial Disparities in the U.S. Judicial System The United States has the largest documented incarceration rate in the world. According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics at yearend 2012, approximately 6,937,600 offenders were under the supervision of adult correctional systems (2013). Of this number, more than 60% of the inmates in prison are minorities however; they make up only 37% of the United States population. Considering the trends in which minorities commit crimes, such broad statistics conceal that racial disparities pervade each stage of the U.S. judicial system, from arrest to trial and sentencing. The first stage of the judicial system is the arrest made by an officer. Police are given an incredible amount of discretion to use that leads to bias and racial profiling. According to Paul Bou-Habib in his article “Racial Profiling and Background Injustice”, he states, “The main reason in favor of using racial profiling in the context of criminal investigation is that I can increase the chance of catching criminals” (para. 2). A key factor in the imbalance of the arrests on minorities in comparison to whites is that they commit more crimes at higher rates. In the article, “The Correlates of Law Enforcement Officers’ Automatic and Controlled-Race Based Responses to Criminal Suspects” by B. Michelle Peruche & E. Ashby Plant (2006) suggests...
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