Gender, age, and ethnic differences in offending behavior among Hispanic/Latino criminal justice clients

Abstract

Hispanic/Latinos are disproportionately represented in the criminal justice system. Using convenience sampling, the present study examined the lifetime and recent offending behavior of Hispanic/Latinos involved in community corrections in Miami, Florida. Descriptive statistics and multivariable logistic regression analyses were conducted. Participants were mostly male (59.7%), less than 40 years old (84.1%), and almost half were of Cuban descent (48.5%). Women were less likely to manufacture or sell drugs than men (AOR = .42, p < .03), and more likely to report recent prostitution (AOR = 7.34, p < .001) and stealing from houses or shops (AOR = 2.68, p < .01). Central Americans were less likely to report alcohol and drug related offenses than Cubans. Findings suggest that criminality among Hispanic/Latinos may vary by gender and by sub-groups. Prevention programs should be tailored accordingly.

Keywords:

• Latinos
• Hispanic
• criminal justice
• gender
• ethnic difference
• offending behavior

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) under Grant R34DA031063.

Notes on contributors

Gladys E. Ibañez

Dr. Ibañez is currently serving as the principal investigator on several research projects on HIV and the elderly, transgender health, and complementary approaches to health.

Angel B. Algarin

Angel B. Algarin, MPH, Florida International University 11200 S.W. 8^th Street, Miami, Florida 33199, [email protected], Mr. Algarin is a doctoral student interested in HIV-related stigma.

Rana Jaber

Rana Jaber, Post-doctoral fellow, Florida International University 11200 S.W. 8^th Street, Miami, Florida 33199, [email protected]. Dr. Jaber is completing her post-doctoral fellowship in cardiovascular research.

Disler Vanessa Ayala

Disler Vanessa Ayala, Research Assistant, Florida International University 11200 S.W. 8^th Street, Miami, Florida 33199, [email protected]. Ms. Ayala is currently working on a research project examining cognitive functioning among people aging with HIV.

Steven S. Martin

Steven S. Martin, Senior Scientist, University of Delaware, 257 E. Main Street, Suite 110, Newark, DE 19716, 302-831-6107, [email protected]. Steven S. Martin is a Scientist for the Center for Drug and Health Studies. He has served as the principal investigator on multiple NIH and state-level research projects. He has published over 70 articles on substance abuse, delinquency, attitudes and behavior, and methodology.

Daniel J. O’Connell

Daniel J. O’Connell, Senior Scientist, University of Delaware, 257 E. Main St., Suite 110, Newark, DE 19716, 302-831-6107, [email protected]. Dr. O’Connell is a Scientist at the Center for Drug and Health Studies. His research specialties are research design and methodologies, intervention development and project management.