Ethnicity and criminalisatoo

Official statistics

These show ethnic differences in the likelihood of being involved in the criminal justice system (CJS). For example, Black people are 7 times more likely than White people to be stopped and searched, and almost 4 times more likely to be in prison. However, victim surveys and self-report studies throw a more direct light on ethnicity and offending.

Victim survey

These ask individuals to say what crimes they have been victims of. Sometimes they ask respondents to identify the ethnicity of the person who committed the crime against them. For example, in the case of mugging Black people are significantly more likely to be identified as offenders.

Self report studies

These ask individuals to disclose crimes they have committed.

• Graham and Bowling (1995) found that Black people and White people had almost identical rates of offending, while Asian people had much lower rates.
  

• Other self-report studies show similar patterns, discrediting the stereotype of Black people as being more likely than White people to offend.
  

Policing

Phillips and Bowling (2007) note that there have been many allegations of oppressive policing of minority ethnic communities, including:

• Mass stop and search operations, paramilitary tactics, excessive surveillance, armed raids, police violence and deaths in custody, and a failure to respond effectively to racist violence.

Arrests and cautions

The arrest rate for Black people is over 3 times the rate for White people. By contrast, once arrested, Black and Asian people are less likely than White people to receive a caution.

• This may be due to the fact that members of minority ethnic groups are more likely to deny the offence. Not admitting the offence means they cannot receive a caution and are more likely to be charged.

Sentencing and prison

Jail sentences are given to a greater proportion of Black offenders than White or Asian offenders.

• Hood (1992) found that even when the seriousness of the offence and previous convictions are taken into account, Black men were 5% more likely to be jailed.
  

• Black people are almost 4 times more likely to be in prison than White people. Black and Asian people are more likely to be serving longer sentences.