Ethics: Racial Discrimination in Criminal Justice

Disparity in the treatment of people accused of crimes in the United States is statistically undeniable. Chapter 4 in your text discusses the concept of institutionalized racism and the video Black Death in Dixie: Racism and the Death Penalty in the United States (Links to an external site.) explores the premise that the death penalty targets minorities (Nelson & King, 2007). In this discussion, examine the moral implications for the criminal justice system if disparities in searches, arrests, and incarceration sentences continue to be skewed due to race. Provide at least two moral strategies to help combat this current event issue.

Text

Banks, C. (2016). Criminal justice ethics: Theory and practice (4th ed.). Retrieved from https://content.uagc.edu

• Chapter 4: Racial Discrimination in the Criminal Justice System
• Chapter 10: Ethics and the “War on Terrorism”

Multimedia

Makio, L. (Producer). (2010). Treat terrorists like enemy combatants, not criminals: A debate (Links to an external site.) [Video file]. Retrieved from https://secure.films.com/OnDemandEmbed.aspx?token=58315&aid=18596&plt=FOD&loid=0&w=420&h=315&fWidth=440&fHeight=365

• The full-length version of this video is available in the Films On Demand database located in the University of Arizona Global Campus Library. This video debates the best ways to handle accused terrorists. It will assist you in responding to this week’s discussion, “Ethics and the War on Terrorism.”
  Accessibility Statement (Links to an external site.)
  Privacy Policy (Links to an external site.)

Nelson, G. (Director), & King, P. (Executive producer). (2007). Black death in Dixie: Racism and the death penalty in the United States (Links to an external site.) [Video file]. Retrieved from https://secure.films.com/OnDemandEmbed.aspx?token=39112&aid=18596&plt=FOD&loid=0&w=420&h=315&fWidth=440&fHeight=365

• The full-length version of this video is available in the Films On Demand database located in the University of Arizona Global Campus Library. This video explores the premise that the death penalty targets minorities. It will assist you in responding to this week’s discussion, “Ethics: Racial Discrimination in Criminal Justice.”
  Accessibility Statement (Links to an external site.)
  Privacy Policy (Links to an external site.)

Recommended Resources

Article

Thomas, G. C., III. (2011). Criminal trials as morality plays: Good and evil Download Criminal trials as morality plays: Good and evil. St. Louis University Law Journal, 55(4), 1405-1432. Retrieved from http://www.slu.edu/school-of-law-home/academics/journals/slu-law-journal

• The full-text version of this article is available in the EBSCOhost database located in the University of Arizona Global Campus Library. This journal article explores criminal trials, race, and morality. It may assist you in responding to this week’s discussion, “Ethics: Racial Discrimination in Criminal Justice.”

Supplemental Material

Hicks, W. (2015). CRJ524 professional resources list Download CRJ524 professional resources list. Retrieved from https://bridgepoint.equella.ecollege.com/curriculum/file/78ce1060-b8b0-4666-8a12-ecc460da8d1b/1/CRJ524_Professional Resources List.docx

• This document provides additional resources in the form of articles, multimedia, and websites that may be helpful in the development of your learning in the field of criminal justice. This source may assist you in your weekly discussions.