Attacking Bias in the Justice System: A Compendium of Program Alternatives

III. CRIMINAL JUSTICE States should consider the use of alternative sentencing options for racial and ethnic minorities who could further benefit from such arrangements. Additionally, research should be conducted to look at sentencing disparities between minorities and non-minorities. ACTION STEPS III(a) Utilize the two-part education program developed by the American Civil Liberties Union to address the color and racial profiling issue, which includes a survival kit for minority youth.   III(b) Promote the development of drug courts in those areas not currently utilizing them.   III(c) Support the development of a national study on the ramifications of felony drug convictions on the disenfranchisement of minority males.   III(d) Implement a program similar to the one developed by the African American ministers group in New Jersey to address color and racial profiling.   III(e) Encourage drug court discussions to include the positive effect alternative sentencing for drug offenses and the removal of felony convictions after successful completion of the programs could have on non-violent minority offenders and their future participation in the voting process.   III(f) Encourage a program on status crimes on the state level to remove felony convictions after successful completion of alternative programs.   III(g) Develop diversion programs for prosecuting welfare fraud cases which predominately affect poor women or color and also serve to disenfranchise a large group of younger minorities.   III(h) Engage the American Psychological Association in a dialogue on the long and short-term effects of racial/color profiling.   III(i) Engage the American Psychological Association in a dialogue on the long and short-term effects of racial/color profiling.

Cover Introduction Acknowledgements Judicial Education Employee Education Criminal Justice Juvenile and Family Issues Jury Issues Complaint Mechanisms Court Interpreters Judicial System Diversification Court Functions and Services Legislative Impact Review Resources