Thinking about the Over-Representation of Certain Groups in the Canadian Criminal Justice System: A Conceptual Framework Cheryl Marie Webster Department of Criminology, University of Ottawa and Anthony N. Doob Centre of Criminology, University of Toronto

What We are NOT Discussing A full review of the Canadian literature on this topic Under-representation of certain groups in criminal justice professions Methodological concerns of measurement Solutions per se

What we WILL be Discussing Conceptual framework for thinking about the issue Rejection of the simplistic notions frequently used to explain the over-representation of certain group –bad people (simple crime rate hypothesis) –bad decisions (simple discrimination hypothesis) Focus on the complexities of the processes which lead to certain groups being disadvantaged in relation to criminal justice system

Complexities in Understanding Differential Criminal Justice Outcomes across Groups Contextual Factors Behavioural Factors Fear Factor Normative Factors

Conclusions Simplistic explanations should be rejected –do not accurately describe reality –do not suggest possible solutions Balanced solutions –Within criminal justice system –Within wider society Solutions within criminal justice system –Focus on procedural sources of disadvantage –Recognition of collateral effects of criminal justice policies –Focus on fairness Broader societal solutions –Accept and address causes of group differences –Address disadvantaged communities