Justice System Bias Perceptions of the Dually Marginalized: Observations from a Sample of Women Ex-offenders

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

5-19-2018

Abstract

Social constructions of race, gender, and class are known to shape stereotypes that condition interaction and behavior across various contexts, including the criminal justice system. From an intersectional framework emphasizing dual marginalization, this study relates in-depth interviews with women ex-offenders regarding their justice system experiences to explore perceived race and gender themed discrimination. Findings of reported pejorative language and degrading behavior reaffirm a well-documented generalized assumption by women of color that disparate treatment is normative. Discussion centers on how these views are detrimental to rehabilitation enrollment, related implications for offender programming objectives, and the utility of intersectionality theory for analyzing related justice topics.

Publication Title

Victims and Offenders

Volume

13

Issue

4

First Page

451

Last Page

470

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1080/15564886.2017.1362614

ISSN

15564886

E-ISSN

15564991

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