NCJ Number
137512
Journal
British Journal of Criminology Volume: 32 Issue: 2 Dated: (Spring 1992) Pages: 208-217
Date Published
1992
Length
10 pages
Annotation
Data from the Second and Third United Nations Crime Surveys were used to examine gender differences in criminal justice in various countries.
Abstract
The results showed that men were disproportionately suspected, apprehended, prosecuted, convicted, and imprisoned on an international level. In 1980 and 1985, women were disproportionately filtered out of the various nations' criminal justice systems as they progressed through these stages. While more women were suspected, prosecuted, and convicted in 1985 than in 1980, there was no change in the proportion of women in the prisons or in the prison population. An analysis by offense type revealed no general change in sex ratio by offense type over time. These findings, while consistent with the literature, do not address the issue of whether criminal justice operates more or less harshly towards men or women or certain categories of either. Future research could focus on national differences in gender relations in connection with gender representation within criminal justice and detailed analyses of differences between countries. 6 tables and 2 references