Differences Between Black and White Military Offenders: A Study of Socioeconomic, Familial, Personality, and Military Characteristics of Inmates at the U.S. Disciplinary Barracks at Ft. Leavenworth

Minority involvement in the military justice system is a signifi cant issue. Military authorities, civil rights activists, and researchers have been concerned for some time about the high level of black discipline rates in the military (Dansby, 1992). A number of studies have substantiated higher discipline rates for blacks (e.g., Polan & Thomas, 1985; Walker, 1992). These types of studies have examined aggregates of data (percentages of blacks and whites in various discipline areas) from large databases. While providing valuable descriptive information, this type of study cannot show any linkages with antecedent variables that may provide explanations. In other words, it is diffi cult to answer why blacks have higher discipline rates.