Ethnicity, Crime and Justice Flashcards
What is the overrepresentation of black people in the prison population?
Black people make up just 3% of the population, but 13.1% of the prison population.
What is the overrepresentation of Asians in the prison population?
Asians make up 6.5% of the population, but 7.7% of the prison population.
How are white people represented in the criminal justice process?
White people are under-represented at all stages of the criminal justice process.
What did the Ministry of Justice (2008) report about black communities?
Members of Black communities are seven times more likely to be stopped and searched than their White counterparts.
What do Victims Surveys like CSEW reveal about ethnicity and offending?
Victims Surveys ask individuals about crimes they have been victims of and can identify the ethnicity of offenders.
What is a limitation of Victims Surveys?
They rely on the victim’s memory of events, which can lead to inaccuracies.
What did Graham and Bowling find in their self-report study?
Blacks (43%) and whites (44%) had similar rates of offending, while Indians (30%), Pakistanis (28%), and Bangladeshis (13%) had lower rates.
What did Sharp and Budd find regarding drug use among different ethnicities?
27% of males of ‘mixed’ ethnicity reported drug use, compared to 16% of black and white males and 5% of Asian males.
What do self-report studies suggest about black people and offending?
They challenge the stereotype that black people are more likely to offend than whites.
What is the relationship between stop and search and ethnicity?
Members of minority ethnic groups are more likely to be stopped and searched by police.
How much more likely are black people to be stopped and searched compared to white people?
Black people are seven times more likely to be stopped and searched.
What is the chance of being involved in a Taser incident for blacks?
For blacks, the chance of involvement was 18 in 10,000.
What are the three possible reasons for disproportionate stop and search patterns?
- Police racism 2. Ethnic differences in offending 3. Demographic factors.
What was the arrest rate for blacks compared to whites in 2014/15?
The arrest rate for blacks was three times the rate for whites.
What is the role of the CPS in prosecutions?
The CPS decides whether a case should be prosecuted in court based on public interest.
What do studies suggest about CPS cases against ethnic minorities?
The CPS is more likely to drop cases against ethnic minorities.
What is the conviction rate for black and Asian defendants compared to whites?
Black and Asian defendants are less likely to be found guilty than whites.
What is a possible reason for harsher sentences for ethnic minorities?
Pre-sentence reports may allow for unwitting discrimination.
What percentage of the prison population were from minority ethnic groups in 2014?
Just over a quarter of the prison population were from minority ethnic groups.
What do Lea and Young argue about ethnic differences in offending?
They argue that statistics reflect real differences in levels of offending due to relative deprivation.
What is Gilroy’s view on black criminality?
Gilroy argues that black criminality is a myth created by racist stereotypes.
What do Hall et al argue regarding moral panic in the 1970s?
They argue that a moral panic over black ‘muggers’ served the interests of capitalism.
What may the ruling class need to use when opposition to capitalism grows?
The ruling class may need to use force to maintain control.
Why must the use of force by the ruling class be seen as legitimate?
If the use of force is not seen as legitimate, it may provoke more widespread resistance.
