Racial Injustice in the Criminal Justice System

Abstract

This chapter presents evidence that African-American males are disproportionately harmed by every aspect of the criminal justice system. From selective enforcement, incarceration, racial profiling, sentencing, prosecutorial abuse, police brutality, and to the death penalty, African-American males face racial injustices. The “war on drugs” has resulted in a disproportionate number of African-American males being arrested, sentenced, and incarcerated. The Federal Sentencing Guidelines have contributed to the mass number of African-American males in jail and prison. This chapter reveals that African-American males continue to face police brutality and disparity in the death penalty systems. This chapter offers compelling evidence that every African-American male in this country who drives a vehicle, or has traveled by bus or plane, either knowingly or unknowingly has been the victim of racial profiling by law enforcement officials. This chapter also discusses how African-American male youth are at risk of being arrested, detained, and prosecuted as adults.