Final answer:
The statement that the indeterminate sentencing model can result in judicial discrimination based on an offender's race or social class is true. Disparities in sentencing have been shown to be influenced by factors such as race, income, and education. While risk assessment tools may help reduce bias, they can also unintentionally reinforce existing disparities if not carefully calibrated.
Step-by-step explanation:
The indeterminate sentencing model is a system of sentencing in the criminal justice system that allows judges to set a range with minimum and maximum sentences for offenders, as opposed to determinate sentencing, which is a fixed period. It is true that the indeterminate sentencing model can result in judicial discrimination based on the offender's race or social class. Studies have consistently shown that racial disparities exist in various stages of the criminal justice process, from arrest to sentencing. Offenders of color, particularly those who are black, male, less educated, and of lower income, face the reality of receiving longer sentences.
Economic theories of discrimination explain how these disparities may also carry over into the labor market, affecting factors such as salary negotiation outcomes, which are intertwined with the potential for recidivism. Additionally, critical race theory brings into focus how racial prejudices may permeate jury decisions or influence the legal system's treatment of minority members. Furthermore, the advent of risk assessment tools and machine learning algorithms, while holding potential to reduce bias, also run the risk of perpetuating existing disparities if not carefully implemented and monitored, due to the data fed into them often being skewed by prior biased practices.
Therefore, the indeterminate sentencing model's flexibility can sometimes lead to inequitable treatment among offenders, potentially exacerbating social inequities. The criminal justice system is the source of ongoing debate and research, concerning not only the prevention of crime but also equity, fairness, and the just treatment of all individuals, regardless of race or social class.