Understanding Hate Crimes ─ Acts, motives, offenders, victims, and justice

Hate crimes and lesser acts of bigotry and intolerance are constants in today's world. Since 1990, the federal government has monitored hate crime incidents in the United States. While the numbers are disturbing, even more devastating is the impact of these crimes on individuals, communities, and society.

This comprehensive textbook serves as a stand-alone source for instructors and students who study courses in hate crimes and/or other related courses. This text explores criminal justice policy as it relates to hate crimes by presenting a thorough and complete presentation of the subject in context.

A comprehensive single source, as an efficient and useful option for both instructors and students, also assesses hate crimes policy.

Carolyn Petrosino is Professor of Criminal Justice in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences at Bridgewater State University and was the founding chair of the Criminal Justice Department. She was appointed to the Massachusetts Juvenile Justice Advisory Council during the 1990s. In addition, she was invited to Capitol Hill in 2002 to participate in a Congressional Briefing on the state of hate crime research and public policy in the United States. She is a recipient of the 2003 Pro Humanitate Award from the Child Welfare Policy Center of the North American Resource Center for Child Welfare. She recently coauthored a book, American Corrections, which is now in its second edition. Her primary research focus is on hate crimes. She has published several articles and book chapters on hate crimes on topics such as the history of hate crime in America, affiliation dynamics and recruitment practices of hate groups, and the nature and scope of anti-Black hate crimes. Her next project focuses on communities, collective efficacy, and community response to hate crimes.