It's not all black and white: A propensity score matched, multilevel examination of racial drug sentencing disparities

ABSTRACT

This study aims to alleviate some of the mixed findings throughout the literature on racial disparities in sentencing outcomes by utilizing propensity score matching and multilevel modeling to assess racial drug sentencing disparities in state courts from 2000–2012. The findings illustrate the effect of race on sentencing varies significantly across states, and aggregate factors impact this relationship. Specifically, although differential offending, minority population, and arrests do not alleviate disparities, they are moderators that explain variance across states. Finally, aggregate socioeconomic factors such as poverty and education are also significant moderators that indicate the importance of structural disadvantage in sentencing outcomes.

KEYWORDS:

• Drugs
• race
• courts
• sentencing

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Richard J. Stringer

Richard J. Stringer is a Ph.D. candidate in Criminology and Criminal Justice at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia. His research and teaching interests include substance use, drug and alcohol policy, alcohol impaired driving, the media and public opinion, and social problems. His research has appeared in Criminal Justice Policy Review, Journal of Drug Issues, and the Journal of Ethnicity in Criminal Justice.

Melanie M. Holland

Dr. Melanie M. Holland is an assistant professor in the department of Criminal Justice at Pennsylvania State University in Altoona, Pennsylvania. She received her Ph.D. in Criminology and Criminal Justice at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia. Her research and teaching interests include sentencing, social inequality, and race and ethnicity. Her work has appeared in Criminal Justice Review and the Journal of Ethnicity in Criminal Justice.