Answer to Question #7444 in Sociology for Vivian

Question

How might you explain the over-representation of different groups in the criminal justice system?

Answer 1

Over-representation of any group in the criminal justice system results in a biased attitude towards some specific group. It means that because of over-presentation of some specific group in criminal justice system, any representative of this group who is suspected or even accused will get harsher punishment and consequences than representatives of other groups. Over-representation can be also explained by the fact that representatives of certain group have more risk to be involved in criminal activities. It is predetermined by social and economical difficulties, low living conditions, lack of education, etc. Sometimes it can refer to the ethnicity issue, but generally it has mostly to do with risk factors.