Racial Issues in the Safety Value Initiative in Federal Sentencing

• In Event: Race, Sentencing & Policy

Abstract

This presentation will examine the racial issues on drug offenses when judges decide to use the safety valve initiative by using focal concerns theory. Propensity score matching will be used to provide a better statistical examination of the potential racial differences. This study will use 2015 Monitoring of Federal Criminal Sentences.

Authors

• Mai Naito, University of West Georgia

• Anthony G. Vito, University of West Georgia