Fairness in Criminal Justice Risk Assessments: The State of the Art

Autor/inn/en	Berk, Richard; Heidari, Hoda; Jabbari, Shahin; Kearns, Michael; Roth, Aaron
Titel	Fairness in Criminal Justice Risk Assessments: The State of the Art
Quelle	In: Sociological Methods & Research, 50 (2021) 1, S.3-44 (42 Seiten) PDF als Volltext Verfügbarkeit
Sprache	englisch
Dokumenttyp	gedruckt; online; Zeitschriftenaufsatz
ISSN	0049-1241
DOI	10.1177/0049124118782533
Schlagwörter	Justice; Crime; Risk Assessment; Accuracy; Statistical Analysis; Computation; Mathematics; Evaluation Problems + Suchen Sie Ihr Suchwort? Gerechtigkeit; Crimes; Delict; Delicts; Delikt; Risikoabschätzung; Statistische Analyse; Mathematik
Abstract	Objectives: Discussions of fairness in criminal justice risk assessments typically lack conceptual precision. Rhetoric too often substitutes for careful analysis. In this article, we seek to clarify the trade-offs between different kinds of fairness and between fairness and accuracy. Methods: We draw on the existing literatures in criminology, computer science, and statistics to provide an integrated examination of fairness and accuracy in criminal justice risk assessments. We also provide an empirical illustration using data from arraignments. Results: We show that there are at least six kinds of fairness, some of which are incompatible with one another and with accuracy. Conclusions: Except in trivial cases, it is impossible to maximize accuracy and fairness at the same time and impossible simultaneously to satisfy all kinds of fairness. In practice, a major complication is different base rates across different legally protected groups. There is a need to consider challenging trade-offs. These lessons apply to applications well beyond criminology where assessments of risk can be used by decision makers. Examples include mortgage lending, employment, college admissions, child welfare, and medical diagnoses. (As Provided).
Anmerkungen	SAGE Publications. 2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320. Tel: 800-818-7243; Tel: 805-499-9774; Fax: 800-583-2665; e-mail: journals@sagepub.com; Web site: http://sagepub.com
Erfasst von	ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), Washington, DC
Update	2024/1/01