Citation

Logan MW, Dulisse B, Peterson S, Morgan MA, Olma TM, Pare PP. J. Crim. Justice 2017; 52: 90-100.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2017, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.jcrimjus.2017.08.007

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Prior studies of policing and sentencing often find racial disparities in criminal justice decision-making. However, there is limited research on the existence of racial disparities within correctional facilities. Using a nationally representative survey of federal and state institutions, the impact of race and ethnicity on the use of solitary confinement is examined through logistic regression and multilevel logistic regression. Initially, black inmates are 20% more likely to report being punished with solitary confinement than whites, but this effect is completely mediated once social and criminal histories, as well as various forms of prison misbehavior are taken into account. Conversely, inmates of other racial groups (primarily Asian) were less likely than whites to be punished with solitary confinement. Hispanic ethnicity may be associated with 25% increase in the risk of being punished with solitary confinement than non-Hispanic whites, but the pattern is not consistent across models. These findings suggest that assaultive behavior against staff and other inmates along with drug and alcohol violations are paramount in correctional officer decision-making. Future research should consider these infractions, institutional context, and inmate history when examining the potential indirect effect of race in prison.

Language: en