Ethnicity and crime Flashcards
What does the media say about afro Caribbean?
Reinforces stereotype that afro Caribbean people are more criminal.
This could lead to self fulfilling prophecy or deviance amplification spiral and they may turn to more crime as a result
What are statistics of comparison between white people and afro Caribbeans?
7x more likely to be stopped and searched
3 1/2 more likely to be arrested
5x more likely to be in prison
What are statistics of comparison between white people and Asians?
2x more likely to be stopped and searched
more likely to be charged and face court proceeding than to receive caution
More likely to receive a custodial sentence if found guilty
What are self report studies?
A type of survey, questionnaire or poll in which respondents read the question and select a response by themselves without researcher interference.
What are victim surveys?
British crime survey asks a sample of people which crimes have been committed against them.
What are problems with official statistics?
Doesn’t explain why certain ethnicities seem more likely to commit crime
The overrepresentation of black people may be due to police stereotyping and targeting of black males
What are problems with victim surveys?
Lacks validity, victims may not remember everything
Tells us nothing about the ethnicity go white collar and corporate criminals.
What are problems with self report studies?
Lack validity, people might lie.
Usually focus on the crimes of young people, do not cover white collar crimes.
What did Graham and Bowing argue about ethnicity and policing?
British crime survey asks a sample of people which crimes have been committed against them.
What are statistics about stop and search?
Black (7x) and Asian (2x) people are more likely to be stopped and searched
Asians more likely to be stopped and searched under Terrorism act 2006
What did Philips and Bowling find?
Ethnic minority communities feel over-policed.
Police racism and ‘canteen culture’ contribute to this.
Macpherson report
What are stats about arrests and cautions?
Black people 3x more likely to be arrested, less likely to receive a caution.
May be because BME more likely to deny and exercise their right to legal advice.
however not admitting the offence means they are more likely to be charged instead.
What did Bowling and Philips find about prosecution and trial?
CPs more likely to drop cases against ethnic minorities
Evidence presented is weaker and based on stereotyping
What did Hood find about conviction and sentencing?
Black men are 5% more likely to be sentenced and receive sentences 3 months longer than white men; Asian men receive sentences 9 months longer.
What did Hudson and Bramhall argue about pre-sentence reports?
Reports on Asian offenders less.
Comprehensive and suggested that they were more remorseful because of demonising of muslims following 9/11
What are statistics about prison?
1/4 of prison population were EMs
Black people are 4x more likely to be in prison
