Racial Differences in Perceptions of the Severity of Sanctions: A Comparison of Prison with Alternatives
ORCID
May: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8275-6773
MSU Affiliation
College of Arts and Sciences; Department of Sociology, Anthropology, and Social Work; Social Science Research Center
Creation Date
2026-06-01
Abstract
We survey adult probationers to examine racial differences in perceptions of the severity of alternative sanctions compared to imprisonment. Results show that blacks rate every alternative sanction as more punitive than do whites, a higher percentage of blacks than whites refuse to participate in each alternative and choose prison instead, and blacks identify more strongly with reasons to avoid alternatives. Furthermore, blacks and whites generate different rankings of the severity of criminal justice sanctions. This may be due to racial differences in the perceived severity of imprisonment, and/or racial differences in "risk assessments" associated with serving alternatives. Implications for rational choice/deterrence theories and correctional policy are discussed. © 2003 Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences.
Publication Date
8-19-2006
Publication Title
Justice Quarterly
Publisher
Taylor and Francis Group; Routledge
First Page
605
Last Page
631
Recommended Citation
Wood, P. B., & May, D. C. (2003). Racial differences in perceptions of the severity of sanctions: A comparison of prison with alternatives. Justice Quarterly, 20(3), 605–631. https://doi.org/10.1080/07418820300095631
