Differences in Skin Tone Among Hispanic Inmates in Florida's Prisons

Ethnicity and Race in a Changing World: A Review Journal 5, 1, 37-44, 2014

17 Pages Posted: 9 Nov 2014 Last revised: 6 Dec 2014

Date Written: November 16, 2013

Abstract

Purpose: This research asked whether darker skin tones are more prevalent among Hispanic inmates in Florida.

Methods: Von Luschan’s Chromatic Scale includes 36 shades between “white” and “black”. Raters compared photos of inmates to the shade scale.

Results: Among female inmates in Florida, “brown” shades were most abundant. “Brown” shades are darker than intermediate or “olive” shades, which are reportedly most abundant among Hispanics worldwide. However, “black” shades were not as prevalent among female inmates. Among male inmates, “black” and “brown” shades were most abundant. Proportionally, more female inmates than male inmates were light.

Conclusion: These findings are potentially relevant to literature about differences between Whites, Blacks, and Hispanics in arrests, sentencing, and incarceration.

Keywords: shade, inmates, Florida, Hispanics, White, Black, Native, Mestizo, dark-skinned, light-skinned, olive-skinned, brown people, racism

Suggested Citation

Cusack, Carmen M., Differences in Skin Tone Among Hispanic Inmates in Florida's Prisons (November 16, 2013). Ethnicity and Race in a Changing World: A Review Journal 5, 1, 37-44, 2014, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2520757

Carmen M. Cusack (Contact Author)

Nova Southeastern University ( email )

3301 College Avenue
Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33314
United States

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