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GENDER AND IMPRISONMENT DECISIONS

NCJ Number
144633
Journal
Criminology Volume: 31 Issue: 3 Dated: (August 1993) Pages: 411-446
Author(s)
D Steffensmeier; J Kramer; C Streifel
Date Published
1993
Length
36 pages
Annotation
The widely held assumption that the "paternalistic" criminal justice system treats female offenders more leniently than male offenders is challenged.
Abstract
Based on their analysis of data from Pennsylvania for the years 1985-1987, and interviews with selected judges, the authors concluded that males and females charged with similar offenses, under similar circumstances, receive similar sentencing. The findings suggest that judges are concerned primarily with blameworthiness (as indicated by such factors as prior record, type of involvement, and remorse) and practicality (as indicated by such factors as childcare responsibility, pregnancy, emotional or physical problems, and availability of jail space). The authors point out that other research indicating gender disparity have typically relied on old (1970¦s) data that do not reflect such contemporary developments as heightened concern about sentencing disparity and the greater availability of jail facilities for female offenders. The authors also indicated that controls were inadequate. 6 tables, 2 appendix, 14 footnotes, and 54 references