NCJ Number
205385
Date Published
March 2004
Length
90 pages
Annotation
This report presents survey findings which examined African-American and Asian offenders’ criminogenic needs, explored their views of probation supervision, and assisted in informed decisions about appropriate interventions.
Abstract
This study was commissioned against the background of long-standing concern about the possibility that people from minority ethnic groups may be subject to disadvantageous treatment at all stages of the criminal justice process. The intent was to provide a stronger empirical base to inform arguments about the best form of provision for minority ethnic offenders. This study aimed to collect and present systematic information on the criminogenic needs of African-American and Asian offenders, to explore the views of African-American and Asian offenders about their experiences of supervision by the Probation Service, and to draw an overall picture of the problems faced by African-American and Asian offenders and how they respond to attempts to address them. The study involved interviews with 483 offenders under supervision by the Probation Service and identified by probation records as African-American or Asian. The report is structured into four primary chapters. Chapter 2 describes the conduct of the fieldwork for the research and discusses problems encountered. Chapter 3 describes the basic demographic characteristics of the sample and begins to explore the question of whether the criminogenic needs of African-American and Asian offenders are distinct from those of White offenders. Chapter 4 summarizes respondents’ views of probation and programs. Lastly, chapter 5 discusses evidence of social exclusion and deprivation among respondents and their experiences with the criminal justice system. Findings are presented in the areas of criminogenic needs, experiences of probation, and social exclusion, and disadvantage and perceptions of legitimacy. In regards to criminogenic needs, no support was lent to the idea that offenders on probation from minority ethnic groups are likely to have distinctively different or greater criminogenic needs. The majority of offenders’ comments on their experiences of probation were broadly favorable. The interviews explored a number of areas of possible social disadvantage, and there was evidence of substantial social exclusion and disadvantage in relation to employment, income, education, and training. Exploration of perceived reasons for disadvantage painted a different picture. Many adverse experiences were attributed by respondents to racial prejudice, hostility, or discrimination. Study limitations are presented and discussed. Tables, appendices 1-2, and references