The impact of race on recidivism perceptions and sentencing

Research has documented implicit racial bias in the U.S. justice system. This study examined whether perceived race shapes judgments of recidivism and sentencing severity. A total of 201 participants read an identical offense description attributed to either Darnell Johnson (a Black-sounding name) or Scott Johnson (a White-sounding name) and evaluated the case. Participants perceived the Black defendant as more likely to reoffend and deserving of harsher punishment. Sentencing disparities were mediated by perceived recidivism risk, such that higher risk judgments predicted harsher sentences. Notably, greater awareness of racial discrimination was associated with stronger perceptions that the Black defendant was more prone to reoffend. Findings highlight the persistence of racial bias in legal judgments and its implications for sentencing decisions.