NCJ Number
111550
Journal
British Journal of Criminology Volume: 28 Issue: 1 Dated: (Winter 1988) Pages: 82-94
Date Published
1988
Length
13 pages
Annotation
This article presents a literature review and analysis of two studies on race and criminal justice.
Abstract
Some of the American literature on race and criminal justice is reviewed, placing the contemporary British debate in a wider context. One empirical study of probation officers' social inquiry reports concluded that black people are at a disadvantage in sentencing options at three stages: at the report-referral stage by the court, in recommendations for probation, and in the concurrence rate between recommendations and outcome. The other concluded that black people do not wish to play the game of 'client.' A multiracial panel scrutinized the contents of the first sample of reports on black and Asian defendants and commented on how race ethnicity and culture were described. This experience was instrumental in formulating a typology, classifying the reports according to their dominant theme: 'Culture Conflict, Racial Marginality, and the 'Alien' Offender.' This typology is presented for testing in other areas. It is suggested that these two studies present probation officers' reports in more positive terms than earlier studies. 4 tables and 32 references. (Author abstract modified)