NCJ Number
146802
Date Published
1994
Length
40 pages
Annotation
This study analyzes the proportion of inmates recommended for parole in England and Wales in 1990 and compares the recommendation rates for different ethnic groups.
Abstract
The research considered the available information on factors affecting recommendations, but was not able to consider other important factors such as criminal, social, and employment history; behavior while in prison; medical considerations; home circumstances and employment prospects; and the prospects of cooperation with parole supervision. Results revealed substantial differences between ethnic groups in crucial factors affecting parole. A substantially higher proportion of persons from each minority group was serving a long sentence of 4 years of more, compared with white inmates. In addition, the type of offense differed substantially between groups. Whites more often had burglary or theft offenses, while minorities more often had drug trafficking offenses. Although minorities had lower proportions recommended for parole, the proportions were within 5 percent of those for whites when the crucial factors were considered. Nevertheless, minority males serving drug trafficking sentences were much less likely than whites serving sentences for similar offenses to be recommended for parole. Figures and tables