11.1: Theoretical Framework - Revisit

Multiple theoretical perspectives inform our understanding of demographic disparities in criminal justice outcomes. Conflict theory posits that criminal justice policies and practices reflect the interests of dominant social groups and serve to maintain existing power structures (Quinney, 2019). Critical race theory examines how racial categories and racism are embedded in legal systems and institutions, producing disparate outcomes even in the absence of overtly discriminatory intent (Delgado & Stefancic, 2017).

Intersectionality theory, originally developed by Crenshaw (1989), emphasizes how multiple forms of inequality and identity intersect to create unique experiences of discrimination and disadvantage. This framework is particularly relevant when examining how race, gender, class, and other identities combine to shape criminal justice experiences (Crenshaw, 1989; Potter, 2015). Social disorganization theory and strain theory provide additional context for understanding how community-level factors and socioeconomic conditions contribute to crime patterns and subsequent justice system involvement (Sampson & Wilson, 2020).

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