NCJ Number
210888
Journal
Crime & Justice International Volume: 21 Issue: 87 Dated: July/August 2005 Pages: 20-22
Date Published
July 2005
Length
3 pages
Annotation
This article presents findings from self-report studies on offending patterns within minority ethnic groups.
Abstract
Britain has provided a good example of the over-policing of minority ethnic groups, which have historically been identified with criminality and problems of social order. The current article reviews issues relating to self-report studies, such as concerns about the under-reporting of criminal behavior and drug abuse, before presenting findings from a number of self-report studies on minority ethnic group criminality. According to studies conducted with minority youth in Britain, minority ethnic youth are either equally or less criminally active than youth from majority groups. However, official statistics gathered from police and court data indicate a higher rate of offending among minorities, particularly among minority ethnic youth in Britain. The intersection of minorities and crime is so complex that drawing conclusions remains difficult, particularly given the methodological concerns about self-report studies and the over-policing of minority ethnic groups. Tables, graph, notes