NCJ Number
213635
Date Published
2006
Length
19 pages
Annotation
Based on interviews with 483 male minority ethnic offenders on probation in Great Britain in 2001-2002, this chapter reports on their characteristics, attitudes, and beliefs, as well as how they compare with similar White offenders.
Abstract
The study found lower levels of crime-prone attitudes and beliefs among minority probationers than other studies have found in White offenders subject to probation/community rehabilitation orders. This was true for both Black and Asian offenders in the sample. Offenders of mixed ethnic origin scored closest to White probationers, but still had slightly lower scores. This suggests that minority ethnic offenders tended to receive the same community sentences as White offenders who had higher levels of criminogenic need. This in turn raises the possibility that at least some comparable White offenders were receiving less harsh sentences than some minority offenders. There were no significant differences in criminogenic scores between those participating in probation-related rehabilitation programs and those not involved in such programs, except that those not in programs reported significantly more problems. The sample was obtained from 17 probation areas that were selected to include those having high, medium, and low proportions of minority ethnic probationers. Ethnicity was classified under four general headings: Black, Asian, mixed heritage, and "other." The CRIME-PICS II questionnaire was used as part of the interview to identify attitudes and beliefs that are conducive to offending, as well as to determine self-reported life problems. CRIME-PICS II scores of the sample of minority offenders were compared with scores of White probationers on the same or similar instruments in previous studies. 7 tables, 1 figure, 12 notes, and 45 references