Ethnic Minorities, Crime, and Criminal Justice in Germany (From Ethnicity, Crime, and Immigration: Comparative and Cross-National Perspectives, P 31-99, 1997, Michael Tonry, ed. - See NCJ-165170)

• NCJ Number: 165172
• Author(s): H-J Albrecht
• Date Published: 1997
• Length: 69 pages
• Sale Source: University of Chicago Press
• Publication Type: Literature Review
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

Research on the involvement of ethnic minorities in crime in Germany and on the response of the criminal justice system is reviewed.

Abstract

Research on ethnic minorities' involvement in crime is highly sensitive in Germany. Most research uses official statistics, which indicate that foreign minorities' crime involvement is higher than that of the German population, even when crime data are adjusted to take account of demographic differences such as age and sex and even if immigration offenses and crimes by nonresident foreigners are excluded. The research reveals that first-generation guest workers have had crime rates comparable to those of Germans. The second and third generations display sharp upward crime trends. The criminal justice processing of foreign offenders has received little research attention, but existing research does not confirm hypotheses of discriminatory decisionmaking by police and courts, including sentencing decisions. The proportion of foreigners in the prison population has substantially increased and reached 25 percent in 1994. The proportion of minorities in youth correctional facilities has increased to 50 percent. As many as two-thirds of pretrial detainees are foreigners in many places. Findings indicate the need to provide opportunities for ethnic minorities to overcome deprivation and develop bonds to conventional society. Improved training of criminal justice personnel and increased recruitment of minority police are also recommended. Research recommendations, figures, and 178 references (Author abstract modified)