NCJ Number
215084
Date Published
2006
Length
128 pages
Annotation
This report presents statistical information on the representation of Black and minority ethnic groups as suspects, offenders, victims, and employees within the criminal justice system of the United Kingdom.
Abstract
Findings indicated that during 2004/5, there were 57,902 racist offenses recorded by the police, a 7-percent increase over the previous year. It is generally believed, however, that most racial offenses are not reported to the police. Section 1 of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 allows officers to stop and search suspects. During 2004/5, Black individuals were six times more likely to be stopped and searched than individuals of other ethnicities. Out of an estimated 1.3 million arrests during 2004/5, 9 percent were Black suspects, 5 percent were Asian suspects, and 1.5 percent were “other” ethnicity. Black individuals were three times more likely to be arrested than White individuals. Data on prosecution and sentencing indicated that 75 percent of White defendants were found guilty in the Crown Court in 2004 compared to 68 percent of Black defendants. Of those beginning court ordered supervision during the last quarter of 2004, 6 percent were Black and 4 percent were Asian offenders. The proportion of Black prisoners in United Kingdom correctional facilities relative to the population was 7.1 per 1,000 population compared to 1.4 for White prisoners. During 2004/5, 84.7 percent of juvenile offenders were White, 6 percent were Black, 3 percent were Asian, and 2.3 percent were “mixed.” Of the 23,494 complaints recorded by police in 2004/5, 7 percent were made against police by Black individuals. Only 10 of the recorded 106 deaths that occurred in police custody during 2004/5 involved people from Black and minority ethnic groups. The employment of minority personnel in most criminal justice agencies in the United Kingdom has increased and the Prison and Probation Service met or exceeded their minority representation targets for 2004. Data were extracted from administrative databases generated by courts, police forces, and other agencies. Tables, footnotes, appendixes, references