An Examination of Hispanic Youth Criminal Justice Ideology: A Qualitative Approach

• In Event: Criminal Justice Policies, Laws, and Ideology

Abstract

Research suggests differences in criminal justice ideology of different ethnic groups. For example, some research has shown variances in the criminal justice ideology of Black and White adults. There has been a limited amount of research examining the criminal justice ideology of juveniles. The few research studies completed have examined Black and White juveniles using quantitative methodologies. This study extends that research by examining the liberal and conservative ideology of Hispanic youth employing a qualitative methodological approach. The research on this group’s criminal justice ideology is limited, thus, the purpose of this study is to not only increase the knowledge regarding Hispanic youth criminal justice ideology but also their perceptions of the criminal justice system. Using semi-structured interviews of 20 Hispanic juveniles; the present study extends the current research by examining the influence of race and ethnicity on the criminal justice ideology of juveniles by examining Hispanic juveniles. Initial results of the interviews suggest that Hispanic youth tend to embrace a more conservative criminal justice ideology. The study will explore these results and also various criminal justice policies related to the findings.

Authors

• Denise D. Nation, Winston-Salem State University

• Jack Santiago Monell, Winston-Salem State University