Race, Ethnicity, and Criminal Justice in Canada (From Ethnicity, Crime, and Immigration: Comparative and Cross-National Perspectives, P 469-522, 1997, Michael Tonry, ed. - See NCJ-165170)

• NCJ Number: 165179
• Author(s): J V Roberts; A N Doob
• Date Published: 1997
• Length: 54 pages
• Sale Source: University of Chicago Press
• Publication Type: Literature Review
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: U.S. Department of Justice Bureau of Justice Statistics International Crime Statistics Program

Annotation

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

Abstract

The analysis revealed that the relationship between crime and race or ethnicity has important implications for Canada. Canada is a multiracial society with significant numbers of visible minorities. The Aboriginal population occupies a clearly subordinate stratum, as indicated by its much higher unemployment rate and high levels of drug abuse compared to other groups. Canada's constitution affirms the country's multicultural heritage. The data also reveal that Aboriginal and black offenders account for a disproportionate number of prison admissions. However, little research has focused on the reasons for these disproportions, except concerning Native American populations. Nevertheless, Canada is not immune to problems of discrimination. Black persons accused of crimes are significantly more likely than white persons to be denied pretrial release on bail and to be incarcerated for certain offenses. Other research suggests that both black and Aboriginal inmates experience racial discrimination of various forms. The research also indicates that discrimination effects are probably strongest at the policing stage. Tables, footnotes, and 68 references (Author abstract modified)