Sentencing outcomes

Black accused persons are more likely to be held in custody before their trial and more likely to receive a prison sentence, reflecting racial bias operating at multiple points across the justice system (Owusu-Bempah & Jeffers, 2021). For homicide-bereaved families, these disparities produce deeply complex experiences. When the person accused of killing their loved one is also Black, families can find themselves torn between wanting accountability and knowing that the justice system treats Black accused persons unfairly, leaving them with outcomes that feel neither just nor healing (Sharpe & Aqil, 2025). With regard to Victim Impact Statements, families often feel unsupported in the process, reporting that they receive little guidance on how to prepare their statements and rarely hear how their words were considered at sentencing (Illingworth & Ferrera, 2021). This lack of meaningful participation can deepen the sense that their loss has not been fully recognized by the system. For gun violence survivors, sentences that feel inadequate can intensify fear, erode whatever trust remains, and reinforce the belief that the justice system does not take their harm seriously (Department of Justice Canada, 2022).