Examining the Interaction of Race and Probationer Noncompliance on Sanctioning Decisions. (April 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Romain, Danielle M.; Krushas, Amber E.
• Is Part Of: Race and justice. Volume 12:Number 2(2022)
• Page Start: 231
• Page End: 251
• Publication Date: 2022-04
• Subjects: probation -- focal concerns -- race -- judicial decision-making -- stereotype congruence; Crime and race -- United States -- Periodicals; Discrimination in criminal justice administration -- Periodicals; United States -- Race relations -- Periodicals; 364.089
• DOI: 10.1177/2153368719873022
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2153-3687

Abstract

Much of the prior literature on racial disparity has focused on sentencing decisions, with recent studies examining possible interactions between defendant race and legally relevant factors. Many defendants serve their sentences within the community, yet less is known about decision-making when probationers are noncompliant with the conditions of their sentence. Rooted in the focal concerns perspective and congruence to stereotypes framework, this study examines whether noncompliance issues are moderated by probationer race in predicting the likelihood of a jail sanction. A sample of 302 review hearings from domestic violence courts was included for analysis. Results demonstrate that several noncompliance issues influenced sanctioning, independent of race; no significant interactions were found. Implications for probation decision-making are discussed.