Class, Race, Gender, and Crime

Inequality and injustice have long been part of the structure of our society, including law, crime, and the criminal justice system. Class, Race, Gender, and Crime, sixth edition explores the continuing impact of class, race, gender, sexuality, and their intersections – and how the “justice” system can recreate those oppressions. Broken into three parts, the book opens with an overview of the criminal justice-industrial complex and introspection about the biases in criminology. Part II, “Inequality and Privilege,” contains chapters to provide a foundation for understanding class, race, gender and sexuality and intersectionality. Part III, “The Administration of Law and Criminal Justice” covers criminal law, policing, prosecution and courts, and punishment, with headings in each chapter for class, race, gender and sexuality and intersectionality to provide systematic coverage. The text also highlights how immigration (“crimmigration”), child welfare, healthcare, and other systems are intertwined with criminal justice in the lives of different minority populations. Real-world examples of how class, race, and gender and sexuality unfold in sentencing and punishment bring theory to life, while chapter-opening vignettes illustrate key issues, and discussion questions encourage critical thinking.

New to This Edition:

• New and expanded coverage of immigration enforcement highlights its connection to criminal justice and its importance for understanding social control in our society (Chapter 1, Chapter 4, Chapter 8, Chapter 9)
• Entirely revised Chapter 5, “Understanding Gender/Sexuality and Male/Heterosexual Privilege” offers modern and comprehensive understandings of gender and sexuality, including queer theory and queer criminology, that carries through later chapters
• Expanded Chapter 8, “Law Enforcement” and expanded Chapter 9, “Prosecution, Plea Bargains and Deportation,” offer new explorations such as policing of abortions and miscarriage, and immigration courts, respectively
• New conclusion discusses prison abolition, so readers can understand the debate and think for themselves about how deep the need for reform goes