Demanding Accountability: Addressing Racial Disparities in Criminal Justice
Why Justice Must Mean Equity
The recent incidents involving New Castle (Henry County), Indiana, law enforcement raise critical concerns about how justice is served—or, rather, not served—when racial biases come into play. On one hand, we have Curtis Doughty, a former Black Deputy Sheriff, who is now facing a federal felony charge for allegedly using unnecessary force against a white inmate. On the other hand, we have Sheriff John Sproles, a white law enforcement officer, who fired multiple beanbag rounds at a Black inmate, causing physical harm, yet faced no federal charges.
Two acts. Two outcomes. But one glaring disparity demands our attention.
Two Incidents, Two Outcomes
The stark contrast between these cases is nothing short of unsettling. Curtis Doughty agreed to an Indiana state plea deal after being charged by the feds with “deprivation of rights under color of law.” His actions have been swiftly condemned and prosecuted. Accountability here was seen in action; no one questions that misuse of authority must face consequences. However, while placing accountability solely on Doughty, another equally concerning incident has been allowed to slip through the cracks.
Sheriff Sproles, by his own admission, fired multiple times at an inmate, citing concerns over potential property damage and liability. The inmate, who did not pose an immediate physical threat, was shot in the legs with a beanbag shotgun, causing serious injury. And yet, no federal charges were brought against the sheriff. Instead, an email informed him that the U.S. Attorney's Office would not pursue the case. No explanation. No accountability.
The Unspoken Narrative of Race in Justice
The question that looms over these cases is impossible to ignore—would the outcomes have been the same had the racial identities of the officers been reversed?
Data doesn’t just suggest bias in the justice system; it shouts it from the rooftops. A 2021 study by the National Registry of Exonerations shows that Black individuals are 3.5 times more likely to face wrongful convictions than their white counterparts. When it comes to law enforcement, disparities also extend to prosecutions, disciplinary actions, and sentencing.
The situation in Henry County seems to reflect this broader trend. When a Black officer breaches protocol, the system responds with swift condemnation. When a white sheriff takes harmful–and arguably excessive–action against an individual in custody, he is shielded by decision-making processes that lack transparency.
Addressing Counterarguments
Some might argue that the difference lies in the specifics of the cases—after all, every use-of-force incident is complex. But this is exactly why transparency is crucial. Without clarity on why federal charges were not pursued against the sheriff, public trust in the justice system erodes further.
Others claim officers must make split-second decisions in demanding environments. And yes, this is true. But if Doughty’s actions warranted both immediate termination and federal felony charges, why is the same standard not being applied universally?
The argument isn’t about persecuting one individual over another—it’s about equal treatment under the law.
What Needs to Change
It’s time for systemic overhaul. Justice systems must reflect the values they are meant to uphold. Here are critical steps that must be taken:
Demand Transparency: Federal and local agencies must provide greater transparency regarding charging decisions in cases of alleged law enforcement misconduct.
Address Racial Disparities: Committing resources toward identifying and addressing systemic biases within the criminal justice system, starting with law enforcement and prosecutorial practices.
Standardized Accountability Measures: Misconduct needs to face consistent repercussions across the board, regardless of rank, race, or jurisdiction.
A Call to Action
Incidents like those in Henry County raise the same grim question we’ve been grappling with for decades—how can justice exist without equity? It’s easy to dismiss these cases as isolated events or anomalies. But they aren’t. They are symptoms of a larger issue that won’t correct itself.
To create change, we must demand it. Ask your local and federal representatives what systems they have in place to guarantee accountability across all levels and backgrounds in law enforcement. Challenge agencies to provide transparency in decisions they make. Most importantly, don’t accept silence as an answer.
In its purest form, justice should not be influenced by one's skin color or uniform. It’s time to demand a system that lives up to its promise of fairness. A system that works for everyone.