Reaction Paper #2
Due Monday, November 27
1. Watch and take notes on A Sentence
of Their Own and finish reading Life on
the Outside.
2. Considering the effects of race, class,
and incarceration on Alan’s as
compared to Elaine’s family, do you
believe that it is fair that family’s of the
incarcerated receive a sentence of their
own? Why/Why Not?
Putting Race, Class, & Crime into Perspective:
Conclusions, Remedies, and Unintended
Consequences
Study Questions

In the conclusion to Race & Crime, why do Gabbidon
and Green conclude that any attempt to connect “race”
with crime fails to appreciate several fundamental
facts?
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Criminals and Victims?
Community Crime Problem?
Violent Crimes?
Effects of incarceration?
Putting Race, Class, & Crime into Perspective:
Conclusions, Remedies, and Unintended
Consequences (Cont.)
Study Questions

In the conclusion to Race & Crime, what suggestions
do Gabbidon and Green offer for change?
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Community outreach and support
Reevaluation of the criminal law
Alternative approaches to dealing with certain offenses
Focus on youth
Putting Race, Class, & Crime into Perspective:
Conclusions, Remedies, and Unintended
Consequences (Cont.)
Study Questions

Why does David Cole conclude that the current law
imposes “nearly insurmountable barriers to persons
challenging race discrimination at all stages of the
criminal justice system, from policing to judging to
sentencing”?
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Forbidding discrimination cases: The “Standing” doctrine
(pp.162-165)
Limits on suits for damages: “Qualified Immunity” &
“knowingly violating the law”
The “intentional discrimination” standard in sentencing
Beyond “Crime in the Streets”:
Can the state ever be held legally accountable for
endangering citizens??
Discussion Question:
Can a private citizen hold the state responsible for failing to
protect one from violence?
Even Children?
14th Amendment Due Process of Law:
“All persons born or naturalized in the United States,
and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of
the United States and of the State wherein they reside.
No State shall make or enforce any law which shall
abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the
United States; nor shall any State deprive any person
of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law;
nor deny to any person within it jurisdiction the equal
protection of the laws”