NCJ Number
85935
Date Published
1982
Length
23 pages
Annotation
This report documents the overrepresentation of racial and ethnic minorities in the correctional institutions and jails of Washington State and argues for a thorough and objective assessment of the reasons for the disparities in the incarceration of racial and ethnic groups.
Abstract
The report notes the lack of available data to adequately describe the problem and suggests that the overrepresentation is most likely a function of legal, extralegal, and illegal variables. A recommended action plan outlines a strategy to enhance public awareness and advocacy efforts in addressing this issue. Significant findings note that while racial and ethnic minorities account for about 11 percent of the State's population, they comprise 30 percent of the population in adult correctional facilities. Furthermore, other studies have found Washington State to have the highest incarceration rate for blacks. While the total increase in admissions to State correctional facilities between 1977 and 1981 averaged 6 percent, the largest increase (28 percent) was experienced by Hispanics. Also, minority youths sentenced outside of prescribed guidelines are often incarcerated for longer periods than their white counterparts, and county jails in the State had an average 'non-Caucasian' population of 17 percent in the first quarter of 1982. Tabular data and 36 references are given.