Elaborate on the relationship between race and sentencing. Include a discussion of the impact the victim's race has on sentencing

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Racial disparity and sentencing has always been at the center of debate. It is suspected because a disproportionate number of African–American inmates are in state prisons and on death row. Minorities, in particular those that are indigent or unemployed, seem to receive longer sentences than Caucasians. One of the aspects that may explain the disparity is that young black men are more likely to be imprisoned for drug offenses, which places an entire cohort of young African–American males in jeopardy. Additionally, race may affect sentencing in other ways as well. Research indicates that the victim's race may play an even more important role in sentencing than the offender. Minority defendants are sanctioned more severely if their victim is white than if their target is a fellow minority group member.