ABSTRACT
This chapter explores the interrelationship between wealth gap and housing and the relationship between housing and education. It examines how the criminal justice system is related to poverty and racism. The chapter establishes certain types of crime are associated with poverty, and poverty in the United States disproportionately affects citizens of color. To the extent that there are disproportionate arrests, convictions, or deviations in sentencing between whites and persons of color, the chapter considers the reasons for such disparities and the relationship to employment opportunities. The way, the authors empower law enforcement officials to do their work is at the heart of the fundamental dilemma captured by the due process and crime control models of criminal justice. The most significant popular attention with respect to race and criminal justice in recent years has been focused on police brutality.
