Exam Content
Imagine you are preparing a presentation for legislators concerning disparity in sentencing based on gender, race, or ethnicity.
Research statistical sentencing and corrections demographic information. Find data about your local or federal agencies using their websites. The following resources include federal data that may be helpful:
Report to the United Nations on Racial Disparities in the U.S. Criminal Justice System from the Sentencing Project
Demographic Differences in Sentencing from the United States Sentencing Commission
“Prisoners in 2018” from the U.S. Department of Justice
“Probation and Parole in the United States, 2016” from the U.S. Department of Justice
Create a 10- to 12-slide Microsoft® PowerPoint® presentation in which you do the following, with supportive examples:
Describe the gender, racial, and ethnic group demographic information for your state’s:
Criminal sentences handed down in court
Corrections institutions (both prisons and jails)
Probation and parole populations
Explain the gender, racial, and ethnic disparities found in sentencing. Address whether there is disparity in who receives probation versus incarceration, and who is paroled versus being denied parole.
Describe how biases might affect courtroom proceedings, such as a bail/bond proceeding, pretrial proceeding, first appearance, and legal representation (e.g., having a private lawyer instead of a public defender).
Propose 2 or 3 recommendations for how to address the racial and ethnic disparities in the areas discussed.