Publication Date
12-1979
Advisor(s) - Committee Chair
John Faine, Edward Bohlander, Louis Beck
Degree Program
Department of Sociology
Degree Type
Master of Arts
Abstract
Disparity in sentencing felons based on racial considerations has long has been considered a problem for civil libertarians and scholars alike. Examining data gathered in Kentucky, this thesis addresses this issue through the application of recently developed methodological techniques. Utilizing an index of sentencing equality, this study shows that while differences do exist in black and white offender offense characteristics, these differences do not account for the variations in sentences rendered in cases of white as opposed to black felons. This exploratory research reviews and critiques previous research and provides evidence which should prove useful in resolving the problem of racial-based sentencing disparity.
Disciplines
African American Studies | Courts | Criminal Law | Criminal Procedure | Inequality and Stratification | Judges | Law | Law and Race | Race and Ethnicity | Race, Ethnicity and Post-Colonial Studies | Social and Behavioral Sciences | Sociology
Recommended Citation
Hurley, Robert L., "Race and Sentencing Equality in Kentucky" (1979). Masters Theses & Specialist Projects. Paper 1714.
https://digitalcommons.wku.edu/theses/1714
Included in
African American Studies Commons, Courts Commons, Criminal Law Commons, Criminal Procedure Commons, Inequality and Stratification Commons, Judges Commons, Law and Race Commons, Race and Ethnicity Commons
Comments
Mr. Hurley is deceased.