For courses in Multicultural Law Enforcement, Women's Issues in Criminal Justice, Sociology, and Special Topics in Criminal Justice. Long neglected in the study of criminal justice, this look at women and minorities explores the concepts of equality among the races and gender, and what it truly means to have justice for all.

Women, and especially minorities, have long been neglected in the study of criminal justice. The government has treated disparate groups differently for too many years. Women and minorities are such a group. Is there equality among the races and gender? What does it mean to have justice for all?

There is no automatic way to allow both sexes to enjoy protection unless we see a commitment to eliminate all discrimination. Gender has never been classified as a suspect classification and both women and minorities continue to suffer from laws established by the majority.

This edition of the Women in Criminal Justice series demonstrates that women and minorities both deserve their dignity and the right to be treated as anyone else, and by any aspect of government, including that of the criminal justice system. Traditional literature ignores the plight of women and minorities. This publication demonstrates that everyone is entitled to the same consideration as everyone else. The terms, "minorities and women," should be set aside. We should have a world where all people are considered the equal of everyone else, with all persons being endowed with the same rights and considerations.

This textbook, as developed by Janice Joseph and Dorothy Taylor, examines all the issues that impact women and minorities. By studying the issues, we hope to provide a solid basis from which to explore ourselves and the society in which we live.