Racial Disparities in Death Row Inmate Misconduct

• In Event: Complexities of Capital Punishment

Abstract

Racial disparities in death sentences have been a frequent focus of criminal justice research. In contrast, there is a paucity of research examining racial disparities in treatment after the defendants have been sentenced to death (i.e., when they are inmates on death row). The purpose of this study is to examine racial disparities in death row inmate misconduct. Racial disparities in death row inmate misconduct could be the result of bias. For example, prison staff might perceive misconduct exhibited by Hispanic inmates as more severe than similar misconduct exhibited by Caucasian inmates. We examine data collected from the Arizona Department of Corrections. This sample consists of 119 death row inmates. Forty-three percent of these inmates are racial minorities, with Hispanics representing the largest minority group (23%). Only two inmates are females. We will present results from analyses examining racial disparities in reported misconduct and discuss implications, particularly for rules concerning misconduct in maximum-security correctional institutions.

Authors

• Cecelia Gonzalez, University of Nevada, Las Vegas

• Tereza Trejbalova, University of Nevada, Las Vegas

• Matthew P West, University of Nevada, Las Vegas