NCJ Number
43092
Date Published
1977
Length
7 pages
Annotation
STATISTICS INDICATE THAT BLACKS HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN THE COUNTRY'S CRIMINAL SYSTEM AT A RATE DISPROPORTIONATE TO THEIR REPRESENTATION IN THE TOTAL POPULATION. STRATEGIES FOR CHANGING THESE DATA ARE SUGGESTED.
Abstract
CRIME REPORTS AND SURVEYS ATTEST TO THE LARGE PERCENTAGE OF ARRESTED BLACK OFFENDERS. ACCORDINGLY, ONE FINDS MORE BLACKS THAN WHITES IN CONFINEMENT. STATISTICS FOR 1974 SHOW THAT 46 PERCENT OF BLACK INMATES HAD EARNED LESS THAN $2,000 A YEAR, AND AT LEAST 64 PERCENT HAD FAILED TO COMPLETE HIGH SCHOOL. MOREOVER, A 1976 REPORT INDICATES THAT HALF OF THE BLACK PRISONERS WERE UNDER 25. FURTHER DATA IDENTIFY THE TYPICAL CRIME VICTIM AS ALSO BEING A YOUNG, BLACK MALE, POOR, UNDEREDUCATED, AND UNDERSKILLED. BLACKS ARE MORE LIKELY TO BE THE VICTIMS OF BURGLARY, ROBBERY, ASSAULT, AND RAPE. BUT BLACKS ALSO STAND APART IN THE SYSTEM AS DECISIONMAKERS, FOR THEY ARE UNDEREMPLOYED IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM. ACCORDING TO THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF CHIEFS OF POLICE, ONLY 6 PERCENT OF ALL LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS IN THE COUNTRY ARE BLACK. ALSO CITED ARE CERTAIN TRENDS IN JUVENILE DELINQUENCY AS RELATED TO PARTICULAR FAMILY SITUATIONS. THE ELIMINATION OF ALIENATION, FAMILY DISINTEGRATION, POVERTY, LACK OF EDUCATION, AND OTHER SOCIAL MALADIES SEEMS TO BE BEYOND THE ABILITY OF STATE AND LOCAL AGENCIES. IT IS SUGGESTED THAT EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR OFFENDERS BE IMPROVED. THE TRANSITION FROM PRISON TO COMMUNITY MUST BE BETTER DESIGNED AND CONDUCTED. CITIZEN-INITIATED PROGRAMS, SUCH AS ONE IN ST. LOUIS EXTENDING HELP TO CRIME VICTIMS AND THEIR FAMILIES, ARE ENCOURAGED. COMPREHENSIVE PROCEDURES AND PROGRAMS ARE DESCRIBED WHICH LEAA HAS INSTITUTED TO ENFORCE COMPLIANCE TO CIVIL RIGHTS LEGISLATION. HOWEVER, CRIME PREVENTION REMAINS A COMMUNITY COMMITMENT. A BIBLIOGRAPHY IS INCLUDED.