ABSTRACT The current study uses social chain theory to examine the potential unintended effects of sentencing reforms on racial disparities in female imprisonment. Our analysis measures changes in the relative odds of Black to White female imprisonment using the Relative Rate Index (RRI) through panel regression modeling on 40 states from 1983 to 2008. Our final models indicate that four types of sentencing reforms had unintended perverse effects on racial disparities in prison admissions while Truth in Sentencing laws increased racial disparities in time-served. Eighteen combinations of sentencing reforms also significantly impacted disparities. Theoretical and policy implications are also discussed.

中文翻译：

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量刑改革的意外后果：使用社会链理论检验女性监禁中的种族差异

摘要当前的研究使用社会链理论来考察量刑改革对女性监禁中种族差异的潜在意想不到的影响。我们的分析通过相对回归指数（RRI）通过1983年至2008年间40个州的面板回归模型，使用相对比率指数（RRI）来衡量黑人与白人女性入狱的相对几率的变化。我们的最终模型表明，四种量刑改革对种族产生了意外影响监狱准入方面的差异，而《判刑真相》法律增加了服役期间的种族差异。量刑改革的十八种组合也极大地影响了差距。还讨论了理论和政策含义。