What Evidence is there of Bias
Female offending is not the norm; they represent the exception in almost every Criminal Justice Agency. The system is designed to deal with men and, policy and practice is frequently based on theories of male offending. This essay will seek to demonstrate that gender bias in the Criminal Justice System (CJS) exists. However it neither results solely in more severe or more lenient treatment as there are many variables affecting the treatment of women, of greatest significance being offence, class and race. I will seek to discuss issues of bias and then relate this to Probation Practice throughout the essay. This essay cannot be comprehensive, therefore I have chosen to focus upon the sentencing process and practice issues, relating issues raised to other areas within the CJS as many of my initial conclusions regarding sentencing are applicable to other areas. Criminology needs to understand female offending and treatment only in doing so can we effectively address it and avoid perpetuating the bias and consequently the problem. Disagreement exists as to whether women benefit or suffer from bias in sentencing decisions. However there is sufficient evidence to draw the conclusion that bias exists in relation t
Gender, Crime and Probation Practice. (1997) "Masculinities and Crimes," in Maguire, M, Mornan, R and Reiner, R. Chatto & Windus: LondonThe web of prejudice, privilege and misinformation that affects women is, of course, compounded for the poor (Kennedy 1992 p 29). Probation Officers, present in Court can be significant in spotting those who may self-harm, and explaining the process. Effective Practice promotes the use of groups for all offenders. However all four of these women were first time offenders and received Probation Orders, and in one case a Combination Order, of between 12 months and 2 years. Practitioners need to acknowledge their own value base and realise that others will not necessarily fit it. Women in prison are still less likely than men to receive good education, training and job opportunities and more likely to carry out domestic tasks Heidensohn, F (1981). A Publication under Section 95 of the Criminal Justice Act. We can do little against Governmental policy, yet through effective, practitioner led, research we can illuminate the bias and illustrate "what works" with women offenders. Teague: Tutorial notes from May and Vass 1997). The reasons for this include, less serious offending (Statistics on Women in the Criminal Justice system 2000), less frequency and tendency to be before the Court for a first offence as well as a "Chrivalric" attitude to women from Criminal Justice Workers.
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Acceptance Essays
