Diversity on the Criminal Justice Term Paper

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As, it will create vast disparities in society that are having negative impacts on: the courts and corrections. This is because the law will: target the lower ends of society and those groups that are considered to within the minority. An example of this can be seen with various vagrancy laws that have been enacted around the country. On the surface, this appears to be a way for communities to impose law and order. However, the reality is that more minorities have been arrested and convicted under these laws in comparison with whites. This is problematic, because it shows how the different regulations will indirectly discriminate against certain social groups within society. (Cote, 2002, pp. 23 -- 34)

Further evidence of this can be seen with observations from Strieb (2007), who wrote, "Recent examples of how the law itself can lead to racial disparities are found in the war on drugs. The federal sentencing guidelines for the distribution of cocaine are perhaps the most striking example of this diverse impact. Although there is no difference in the effects between powered and crake cocaine, there is a difference in the penalties for distributing the two drugs. A person sentenced for possession with the intent to distribute powdered cocaine would need to posses one hundred times more cocaine to receive the same penalty as a person sentenced for the same offense involving crack cocaine." (Streib, 2007, pg. 178) This is significant, because it shows how there are various amounts of racism that are occurring in the criminal justice system. While not intentional, the lingering effects of this will cause vast disparities between: the number of people who are incarcerated in comparison with the rest of society.

A good example of this can be seen by looking at the total number of African-American that was arrested for drug offenses.

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As they account for 13% of the total population of the country. Yet, nearly 56% of the inmates in state prisons (who are there for drug related convictions) are African-Americans. (Quigley, 2010)

Furthermore, a study that was conducted by the American Bar Association looked at the impact that race is having on the rights of the accused. They examined the effect that public defenders were having on criminal cases. What they found, was that public defenders are often used in 80% of all criminal case involving African-Americans. In the majority of them, they will seek out some kind of plea bargain (even in situations when the accused is innocent). (Quigley, 2010) These different elements are important, because they are illustrating how racism in the criminal justice system will lead to vast disparities in society. Once this begins to occur, it is only a matter of time until entire segments of the population will have little to no resources to addresses these problems. This will lead to a never ending spiral of criminal activity, drug abuse and incarceration. At which point, various attempts to address social injustices will have a limited effect on these groups. This is significant, because it is showing how the criminal justice system is indirectly playing a role in helping to limit the economic opportunities for minorities.

Clearly, diversity in the criminal justice system will impact economic considerations by keeping minorities down. This occurs, through the system indirectly discriminating against these groups. As more of these individuals are sent to prison and they have higher chances of not receiving the same resources in comparison with other defendants. Once this occurs, it means that any kind of efforts to address social injustices will have a limited effect. Where, this will reduce economic opportunity by: keeping these groups at the same levels.....

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