NCJ Number
197856
Date Published
2002
Length
16 pages
Annotation
This report generated from the British Crime Survey discusses opinions concerning the effectiveness of the criminal justice system among individuals from minority ethnic groups.
Abstract
Detailing the opinions of minority ethnic group members, this report from the British Criminal Survey presents a discussion of the effectiveness and fairness of the United Kingdom’s criminal justice system. Following an overview of this report, a series of graphs and charts are presented in order to describe the rates of ethnic minority crimes, victimization, arrests, and incarcerations. Arguing that people from minority ethnic groups tend to be more likely to run afoul of the criminal justice system, this report suggests that people from minority ethnic groups are underrepresented as employees in police and prison services, as well as in senior posts in criminal justice agencies. Focusing on individuals’ perceptions of the criminal justice system, this report argues that a qualitative study conducted by the United Kingdom’s Central Office of Information found that minority ethnic communities in England and Wales experienced the same confidence in the criminal system, as did the rest of the population. Addressing the ways that criminal justice system officials have focused on eliminating racial discrimination, this report presents summaries of legislation, reports, and services designed to identify and challenge racist behavior while generating respect from the larger public. A series of recommendations to make faster progress in eliminating discrimination within the criminal justice system is followed by annexes summarizing the findings of the British Criminal Survey of 1999/2000 and discussing the methods used to collect ethnicity data in the criminal justice system. Appendices