You will be expected to complete two 3 page papers (during the semester) on an issue related to race-ethnicity and crime or criminal justice. Prior to the assignment due date I will provide you with the critical reflection prompt. The prompt will correspond with the topic being covered in class at the time. You will be required to answer the prompt based on your own thoughts, beliefs, opinions, etc. based on the course information you have read and/or discussed in class. You must utilize the course material (or another appropriate reference) to support your expressed thoughts and to demonstrate your knowledge of the topic.
The topic for the first 3 page paper is:
Discuss the impact of sentencing guidelines and potential penalties (such as 3 strikes and out;penalty of crack v. powder cocaine) from the late 1990s and early 2000s on the size and diversity of the prison population.