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The Effect of Parole Board Racial Composition on Prisoner Outcomes

Author

Listed:
  • Julia Godfrey

    (University of Rochester)

  • Kegon Teng Kok Tan

    (University of Rochester)

  • Mariyana Zapryanova

    (Smith College)

Abstract

Parole is a major part of a prisoner's interaction with the criminal justice system, and is linked to long-run prisoner outcomes. Using data from the state of Georgia, we exploit the fact that prisoners are randomly allocated to parole board members to recover the effect of parole board racial composition on prisoner outcomes. We find that a higher proportion of Black members on the parole board is associated with better parole outcomes and lower 3-year recidivism rates for Black prisoners. Further, we document that the Black-White gap in parole violation rates, conditional on measures of parole success, closes when the parole board gains a Black member. Taken together, we argue that this is consistent with a reduction in discrimination against Black inmates with regard to parole decisions.

Suggested Citation

  • Julia Godfrey & Kegon Teng Kok Tan & Mariyana Zapryanova, 2023. "The Effect of Parole Board Racial Composition on Prisoner Outcomes," Working Papers 2023-011, Human Capital and Economic Opportunity Working Group.
    • Handle: RePEc:hka:wpaper:2023-011
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    File URL: http://humcap.uchicago.edu/RePEc/hka/wpaper/Godfrey_Tan_Zapryanova_2023_effect-parole-board-comp-prisoner-outcomes.pdf
    File Function: First version, February 14, 2023
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    prison release; parole board; racial bias;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • H76 - Public Economics - - State and Local Government; Intergovernmental Relations - - - Other Expenditure Categories
    • K40 - Law and Economics - - Legal Procedure, the Legal System, and Illegal Behavior - - - General

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