The Impact of Past Police Interaction and Prosecution on Future Sentencing Outcomes

• In Event: Policing Strategies and Perspectives, Yesterday and Today

Abstract

The Black population in Kansas comprises roughly eight percent of the total population, yet Black defendants represent over 20 percent of felony defendants in the state. This disproportionate figure escalates when focusing on those sentenced to prison. Kansas employs distinct sentencing guidelines where criminal history significantly influences final sentencing outcomes. Consequently, prior police interactions and prosecutions exert enduring and punitive effects on future sentencing decisions. Leveraging robust data from the Kansas Bureau of Investigation and the Kansas Sentencing Commission, this study delves into the impact of policing and prosecution on Black offenders in Kansas. Specifically, it examines how criminal history building efforts during prosecution influences final sentencing outcomes in future cases. Furthermore, this study explores potential solutions to address the enduring repercussions of criminal history, which often persist long after an offender completes their sentence.

Author

• John M. Grube, Kansas Sentencing Commission