Research Question
One of the most challenging aspects of sentencing is the issue of economically and socially disadvantaged criminals. Individuals from troubled backgrounds are convicted of more crimes and sentenced to jail more often than other people worldwide (Reiman, 2020). It is essential to note that this frequently happens for reasons beyond the control of disadvantaged criminals. The possibly discriminatory way the criminal justice system treats criminals from poor families and their over-representation in the system has proven to be a complicated problem with no apparent answer. Thus, the main research question is, “What is the significant difference in the attitude toward prisoners based on their financial situation?”
Hypothesis
This type of jail stay-for-pay arrangement lets the rich and famous and the less well-off dodge the violence, filth, awful medical treatment, and other unpleasant circumstances ordinary in public prisons. It also underscores the injustices of the United States two-track justice system, in which the rich enjoy advantages and amenities while incarcerated (Reiman, 2020). At the same time, the poor are forced to have tough and hazardous conditions. The legal system is based on the idea that affluent and poor people should be treated equally. Today, however, access to justice is determined by a person’s financial ability, and the system mistreats poor people in comparison to the rich (Reiman, 2020). Because they cannot afford bail, those with limited financial resources remain in jail before trial, resulting in a higher conviction rate. When people cannot afford to pay their court debts, their licenses are stopped, trapping them in a cycle of unemployment and poverty. These ineffective measures create a never-ending cycle of poverty.
Dependent and Independent Variable
In this study, the dependent variable is the position in which prisoners with different material conditions are located. It is necessary to understand that their position is quite different, and this aspect is influenced by various factors. Thus, it should be noted that, in this case, the independent variables are the laws concerning the judicial system. Their change directly affects how the situation of prisoners will be transformed; thus, it should aim for equality. Other variables are the prison managers themselves, who may also be subject to corruption, which to a greater extent, promotes the increasing difference in the situation of prisoners.
Study Type
It is worth emphasizing that this will be qualitative research, as it will be required to use surveys and interviews to learn what convicts think about the current situation. However, certain obstacles can be overcome, including the possibility of coercion, participant recruitment, sampling, secrecy, privacy, and collaborating with prison-based intermediaries. However, quantitative study methods will also certainly be considered to demonstrate statistics from official sources.
Criminological Theory
For this study, the core criminology theory is concerned with the link between crime and socioeconomic position. The causes of the link between poverty and crime are complex and not completely understood. The lack of resources and possibilities, and an almost particular component of economic hardship, contributes to an increased proclivity toward crime due to disadvantage. Frustration-aggression is typically the consequence of being subjected to inequity, which can be exacerbated by poverty, inadequate schooling, dangerous neighborhoods, racism, and single-parent families.
Data Collection Methods
A semi-structured interview will be utilized to gather data for this study; it is a data-collecting strategy that focuses on asking questions within a preset theme framework. The questions, however, are not in any order or format, and semi-structured interviews are frequently open-ended, allowing for flexibility. Comparing responses when the researcher asks the same questions in the same sequence is easier, but it might be restrictive. Its structure can aid researchers in identifying trends while still allowing for comparisons among responders.
References
Reiman, J. (2020). The rich get richer and the poor get prison: Thinking critically about class and criminal justice (12th ed.). Routledge.