BLINDED BARS: RACE AND SOCIAL CONTROL AMONG CORRECTIONS EMPLOYEES by TaLisa J. Carter A dissertation submitted to the Faculty of the University of Delaware in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Criminology Summer 2018 © 2018 Carter All Rights Reserved BLINDED BARS: RACE AND SOCIAL CONTROL AMONG CORRECTIONS EMPLOYEES by TaLisa J. Carter Approved: __________________________________________________________ Karen F. Parker, Ph.D. Chair of the Department of Sociology & Criminal Justice Approved: __________________________________________________________ George Watson, Ph.D. Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences Approved: __________________________________________________________ Ann L. Ardis, Ph.D. Senior Vice Provost for Graduate and Professional Education I certify that I have read this dissertation and that in my opinion it meets the academic and professional standard required by the University as a dissertation for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. Signed: __________________________________________________________ Karen F. Parker, Ph.D. Professor in charge of dissertation I certify that I have read this dissertation and that in my opinion it meets the academic and professional standard required by the University as a dissertation for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. Signed: __________________________________________________________ Aaron Kupchik, Ph.D. Member of dissertation committee I certify that I have read this dissertation and that in my opinion it meets the academic and professional standard required by the University as a dissertation for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. Signed: __________________________________________________________ Christy Visher, Ph.D. Member of dissertation committee I certify that I have read this dissertation and that in my opinion it meets the academic and professional standard required by the University as a dissertation for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. Signed: __________________________________________________________ Jeff Fagan, Ph.D. Member of dissertation committee ACKNOWLEDGMENTS “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights” (James 1:17). I think this is a pretty good gift. And I am grateful to Him. To my original clan: The Carters – Jacqueline (Ma), Bruce (Daddy), Nancyia (Chick) and Music (Mu). I love you beyond an acknowledgement. Thank you for loving me back, for grounding me and reminding me who I am. Thank you for talking to and laughing with me every day, for helping me feel less alone, and for checking me when I needed it. It is my hope to give you what you’ve given me – a special kind of love that violates the laws of time and space. Each of you are pieces of me. Ma, I am proud to act and look like you. Daddy, you’ve built in me resilience and confidence. Chick, there is no pact in the world stronger than the one we share. I will never betray you. Mu, you’re too young to read this but one day know that you are TT’s first child and no matter where I am or what I am doing – I will never be too busy to keep your secrets and be in your corner. Thank you to all my family – blood, adopted, by marriage, via christening, and in spirit. I can’t name you all but Grandma Fannie Mae, Aunt Peppie, Aunt Diane, the Bells, the Thompsons, the Perrys, my God families – love you much. Thank you to my friends –Blue Hens, Quakers, Rev. & Mrs. Curlee Windham & the Liberty Baptist Church family, First Mount Bethel and Bishop & the late/beloved Dr. Joyce Hunter & the Prayer Temple family. Again, I can’t name you all but much love to Shawntai, Judah Praise, Destination Hip Hop, LBC’s Youth Ministry Choir, LBC’s Usher board, iv and anyone I’ve ever taught a dance to! It was destiny that you all would love me, and I would love you. Thank you to my committee! Dr. Karen F. Parker, my chair, mentor and the person who has pushed me beyond mediocrity since my first day at UD. Dr. Aaron C. Kupchik, my mentor and the ultimate crises manager. Dr. Christy A. Visher who always has time for a quick random chat, gives the best advice and thinks of things I never would’ve based on your years of experience. And Dr. Jeff Fagan (Columbia Law) for your willingness to serve, responsiveness and guidance in this process (air hug)! My time at UD has been incredible. Thank you to every person on the faculty and staff – for your guidance and assistance over 2 degrees and five years. Shouting out an incredible network of supportive Drs.: Ronet, Santhi, Maria, Cresean, Ellen, Anne (my academic Aunt), Ann, Barret, Asia, Eric, Tammy, Lana, & Susan, as well as incredible staff support Ms. Judi (my CDHS mom), Grant, Ms. Diane, Linda, Deanna, & Vicky! Cheers to each and every graduate student who has come and will come through the Department of Sociology and Criminal Justice especially Ashley, Aneesa, and those I love in the “Estrogen Eleven” cohort. Love and light to Dr. Erin Kerrison whose laugh, love and faith in me as a scholar and a person has helped me navigate life in countless ways. Cheers to the Black Graduate Student Association – especially Dr-to-be Jehnae Linkins xoxo. To every person on UD’s campus that wages war against institutional racism, discrimination and inequity with class, grace and skill – including Dr. Carol Henderson, Dr. Keeley Powell, and Dr-to-be Jen Daniels. Thank you for being living examples of “Black Girl Magic” or better put “Black Women Wonders”. My v experiences wouldn’t have been the same without any of you. I will miss seeing you frequently, but this is far from goodbye. Stay in touch – I promise I will. Much appreciation to a Mid-Atlantic Department of Correction for their continued support and willingness to work with me in research towards improving corrections statewide. Thank you to each person I interacted with. Special cheers to the members of the CEIT class who trained on the edge – special mention to one of the fastest and youngest members of the class: sleep in peace. Much love to my former coworkers in a southern jail. You all inspire me every day and I think of you – what you’ve taught me, your families, your safety – throughout the research process. Special salute to Unit 2 – Big B, Hood, Crpl. C., Rice, Mr. J and the rest of the lot. Love you always – Carter. TO ALL OF YOU! To anyone who has spoken a word of encouragement, corrected me when I needed it or just saw my potential when my eyesight was cloudy. To you, beautiful people, who have loved, listened to, advised, partied with, cried with, fed, and just grown with me – you are phenomenal. You are my village! I couldn’t imagine life without your consistent support. To Dr. TaLisa J. Carter. Thank you for keeping this promise to yourself. There’s more work to be done. Do it with Joye! To the person taking the time to read this dissertation – for whatever reason that may be :-) – thank you for your time. I hope this work moves you in some way. Now, go be great! With respect, admiration and joy, - Dr. TaLisa J. Carter vi TABLE OF CONTENTS LIST OF TABLES ......................................................................................................... x LIST OF FIGURES ....................................................................................................... xi ABSTRACT ................................................................................................................. xii Chapter 1 INTRODUCTION .............................................................................................. 1 1.1 The Issue: Racial Disparities ..................................................................... 1 1.2 Exploring Racial Disparities across the Criminal Justice System ............. 3 1.2.1 Racial Disparities in Policing ........................................................ 4 1.2.2 Racial Disparities in Courts ........................................................... 5 1.2.3 Racial Disparities in Corrections ................................................... 7 1.2.4 Challenges in Racial Disparity Research .................................... 10 1.3 Purpose & Significance of Study ............................................................ 17 2 CRIMINAL JUSTICE ACTOR MISCONDUCT ACROSS THE SYSTEM .. 22 2.1 Who’s to Blame? ..................................................................................... 22 2.1.1 Police Officer Misconduct ........................................................... 25 2.1.1.1 Empirical Approaches to Police Misconduct ............... 26 2.1.1.2 Theoretical Approaches to Police Misconduct ............. 29 2.1.1.3 Racial Disparities & Police Misconduct ....................... 31 2.1.2 Prosecutorial Misconduct ............................................................ 32 2.1.2.1 Approaches to Studying Prosecutorial Misconduct ..... 34 2.1.3 Correctional Officer Misconduct ................................................. 37 2.1.3.1 Approaches to Studying Correctional Officer Misconduct ................................................................... 39 vii 2.2 Filling the Gap ......................................................................................... 43 3 THE INSTITUTIONAL RESPONSE MODEL OF SOCIAL CONTROL ..... 46 3.1 Theoretical Underpinnings ...................................................................... 46 3.1.1 Colorblind Ideology ..................................................................... 48 3.1.2 Black’s Theory of Law & Social Control .................................... 51 3.2 The Institutional Response Model of