Inequalities Within The Criminal Justice System
My topic is on inequalities within the criminal justice system. Specifically, how class plays a role in these inequalities. There has been research shown that the criminal justice system targets poor and non-white populations. These disadvantaged populations are given harsher sentences. There is also a correlation between education level and prison; those who are black and high school dropouts have the highest incarceration rate. My recent blog had mentioned the cash bail system, which favors the wealthy since they are the people who can actually afford the bail. This blog will discuss a well-known classical sociological theorist, W.E.B. DuBois, and how his theory can explain the inequalities found in the justice system.
W.E.B. DuBois
Dubois focused on the relationships between race, class, capitalism, and colonialism. He thought that the struggles of races were caused by growing inequalities in wealth, the rise of imperialism, and the color line. DuBois had researched that the gap between the rich and the poor increased, with the wealthy class having power. This can explain why we see inequalities within the criminal justice system. It shows that the upper class individuals have wealth as their "power", which gives them an advantage compared to lower class individuals. This can apply to the cash bail system, as well. Since the upper class individuals can use their money to pay off bail, they have this power that lower class individuals do not have. They even can abuse this power when they have a serious crime, but can pay off the bail.
My previous blog mentioned that incarceration rates increase among those with low education, which reflects social inequality in incarceration. Also, African Americans in low class were more likely to be incarcerated. These facts can be applied to DuBois' thoughts on the color line. The color line is an invisible barrier that divides people of different races. On example of the color line being present is when there seems to be a dominant white area and it makes it harder for black people to live there. This can lead to not having the same resources as white people, such as a good education. Since there is a correlation between low education levels and prison, those in the lower classes will be more likely to be incarcerated.
W.E.B. DuBois believed in the concept that a social problem represents the mismatch between the goals of society and the ability of an individual to achieve those goals. This could be applied to inequalities within the criminal justice system. The goal of the cash bail system is being able to pay it off. However, lower class individuals may not have the money to pay off the bail. They won't be able to achieve the goal of paying it off. This arises a social problem within the system.
I found the quote interesting and it can also apply to my topic. The quote reads as "A system cannot fail those who it was never meant to protect" - W.E.B. DuBois. I think about the criminal justice system and all the inequalities that African Americans and lower class individuals face. Applying this quote, I would say that the criminal justice system can't fail African Americans and lower class individuals because it wasn't built to protect just them. Favoring white, rich individuals, the system gives them power which ultimately leads to this abuse since they can use it for anything.
I included a video that includes an excerpt of an article from DuBois that I found interesting! It doesn't necessarily relate to the criminal justice system, but it makes you aware of the felt realities of racism. I think knowing the problems African Americans face can help you image the chain of events that occur: racism leads to color line, color line leads to lack of resources, lack of resources lead to low education, and low education could lead to incarceration (high correlation).
Hurst, C. E., M., F. G., & Nurse, A. (2020). Social inequality: Forms, causes, and consequences. Routledge.
This post covers very similar material that I have previously learned about in some of my other classes. It baffles me that with the way that our country advances in literally everything why isn't total equality one of those things? Why do we continue to live on the documents and beliefs of the racists colonizers that formed our country? To me having a fair chance in the justice system whether it be protection, rights, court decisions is something that should go without question.
ReplyDeleteYes, I agree with you that the justice system should be fair for everyone. Just reading about the ways the criminal justice system works makes you think about how some benefits more from it than others. It is important to find a way to fix these inequalities so everyone can get the same chances.
DeleteGreat post! We have the same topic and I almost went with W.E.B. DuBois. I think it is important to note that the inconsistencies with the criminal justice system is a product of inequality and inequality embedded in societies culture or the western ideologies built in systems.
ReplyDeleteThere are many social theorists whose ideas can be applied to inequalities within the criminal justice system, such as DuBois or Bonilla-Silva (who you chose). It is important to realize these problems within the justice system to be able to fix it. I agree with you that these problems are formed from inequalities fixed in societies.
DeleteIt's genuinely absurd to me that cash bail is still part of our justice system - it seems so incredibly unfair. In a way, it feels like cash bail turns certain crimes into taxes for rich white people. A rich person could pay off thousands of dollars in bail for a crime that a poor person that is probably a person of colour would sit in jail for years for.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you that the cash bail system is not fair. Certain kinds of people benefit more from this system than others, such as rich white people. Those in the upper class can be able to pay off the bail, while lower class individuals will struggle. Hopefully, we can find a way to fix these inequalities within the criminal justice system.
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