Author ORCID Identifier

Thaddeus L. Johnson: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2908-7897

William J. Sabol: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2821-0283

Natasha N. Johnson: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8145-2153

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

Fall 2024

Abstract

Our study serves as a cautionary tale about relying too heavily on surface-level statistics without digging deeper into their context and implications. It underscores the importance of nuanced analysis and the potential for statistics to be used in ways that obscure rather than illuminate complex social issues. Navigating toward an equitable criminal justice system demands more than numerical evaluations. It requires moral courage and leadership to tackle the core issues behind racial disparities. We must move beyond the comforting yet misleading belief that parity in incarceration rates signifies a post-racial society. This misguided belief can distract from deeper systemic issues, leading to ineffective policy changes and misdirected budgeting decisions. Only through a nuanced understanding, comprehensive legislative changes, and targeted resource allocation can we build a justice system that truly offers justice and opportunity for all rather than merely distributing punishment more evenly.

Comments

Published in Johnson, TL, Sabol, WJ, and Johnson, NN, Equity in Imprisonment Rates Does Not Equate to Justice. Translational Criminology Magazine, Fall 2024, 5-7.

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