Systemic Racism in the U.S. Criminal Justice System: Evidence and Reform Pathways
Bachelor's Thesis · ~74 pages · English
Abstract
This thesis examines empirical evidence for systemic racial disparities across the U.S. criminal justice pipeline, from policing and arrest through prosecution, sentencing, and incarceration. Drawing on national crime statistics, court records, and peer-reviewed studies, the analysis documents racial disparities at each stage while critically evaluating competing explanations including socioeconomic factors, differential offending rates, and structural discrimination. The thesis applies critical race theory and institutional racism frameworks to synthesize the evidence and evaluate the effectiveness of proposed reforms including implicit bias training, prosecutorial guidelines, and sentencing reform legislation.
1. Introduction
The United States incarcerates more people than any other nation, and racial disparities pervade every stage of the criminal justice system. Black Americans are incarcerated at 5.1 times the rate of white Americans; Hispanic Americans at 1.4 times. These disparities have persisted for decades despite civil rights legislation and periodic reform efforts.
This thesis examines the evidence for systemic racism as an explanatory framework for these disparities, distinguishing between individual-level bias and structural factors embedded in laws, policies, and institutional practices.
2. Evidence Across the Justice Pipeline
The thesis documents racial disparities at each stage:
Policing - Studies using administrative data and traffic stop analysis demonstrate that Black and Hispanic drivers are stopped at higher rates than white drivers, even after controlling for neighborhood crime rates.
Prosecution - Charging decisions show racial disparities: similarly situated Black defendants face more serious charges and fewer plea offers.
Sentencing - Black male offenders receive sentences approximately 19.1% longer than similarly situated white males for equivalent federal crimes.
Post-Release - Recidivism surveillance disparities create feedback loops amplifying initial disparities.
3. Reform Strategies
The thesis evaluates the evidence base for major reform approaches:
• Body Camera Mandates - Mixed evidence; cameras reduce use-of-force complaints but have limited effect on racial disparities • Implicit Bias Training - Short-term attitude changes observed but limited behavioral impact in high-pressure decisions • Prosecutorial Charging Guidelines - Evidence from jurisdictions implementing guidelines shows modest disparity reduction • Mandatory Minimum Sentencing Reform - Retroactive application of reduced minimums shows promise without significant public safety costs • Community Investment Approaches - Investments in education, housing, and mental health show stronger long-term effects on crime rates than enforcement intensification
References
- [1]Alexander, M. (2010). The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness. The New Press.
- [2]Sentencing Project. (2021). Report of The Sentencing Project to the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Contemporary Forms of Racism. The Sentencing Project.
- [3]Baumgartner, F. R., Epp, D. A., & Shoub, K. (2018). Suspect Citizens: What 20 Million Traffic Stops Tell Us About Policing and Race. Cambridge University Press.
- [4]Rehavi, M. M., & Starr, S. B. (2014). Racial disparity in federal criminal sentences. Journal of Political Economy, 122(6), 1320-1354.
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