Could This Go Some Way To Explain Why The Black People Are Over-Represented In Prison?

[sp1814]

Every few months, we are reminded on AB, that as a percentage of the British population, blacks are over-represented in prison.

Could this report at least partially explain why?

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/courts-are-biased-against-blacks-with-white-offenders-less-likely-to-be-jailed-for-similar-crimes-says-official-report-8959804.html

Obviously, it cannot be used to completely explain away the disparity - but should we not take this into consideration, especially when the matter is discussed?

[ELVIS68]

I've done jury service twice and on both occasions the defendants were black and found guilty

[craft1948]

I don't understand the 'over-represented' part of your question.

[Svejk]

Yes. Its a conspiracy.

[VHG]

My daughter used to work in a ladies clothes shop in a modern shopping centre in our area.

Though our area is mostly "white" some people did come in from out of the area to shop in the "up market" shops.

Whenever a gang of "black" people (male or female) used to come into the shopping complex then a security warning would go round to all the shops.

Also often a security guard would follow them round the shops to check what was going on.

Now I am not saying they were more likely to steal than anyone else, but it is proof that their reputation has gone before them.

And I am also not sure if this discrimination is justified, or if this discrimination MAKES black people feel angry, and leads them to take part in criminal activities.

I know one thing, if I went to say Jamaica and was going to be tried by a room full of black people (black judge, black police, all black jury etc.) then I would certainly feel uneasy so I don't blame black people for feeling uneasy in the UK in a courtroom full of mostly white people.

[sp1814]

VHG

But when they are arrested, judged and convicted their ethnicity should be irrelevant to the sentence, surely?

[ummmm]

Yes, I agree. My cousin and his black mate got into trouble. His mate was arrested first and got 15 months in prison. My cousin got arrested some months later and got community service.

[bazwillrun]

Ahh the good old not so Independent......
does it also explain the disparity in sentences for whites or just blacks

Doesnt explain why the black security guards always follow the groups of black kids around in my local sainsburys

quite funny to watch them lurking at the ends of the aisles eyeballing the potential thieves

he obviously doesnt trust them either, mind you seeing the amount of times they get caught theiving hes obviously got a point

[Peter Pedant]

yeah but no but

there are more MEN in prison than women
are you suggesting Judges are genderist ?

There are very few ecuadorian child molesters in british prisons
should we all be going to Ecuador and finding out why they treat kids so well ?

[sp1814]

Peter Pedent

That's not the issue...the issue is the fact that if you're black or Asian you are likely to receive stiffer sentences than if you're white...for the same crime.

Of course, there are mitigating circumstances in every crime, which would lead to disparities in sentencing...but 20% is difficult to explain.

[Old_Geezer]

It looks to be a factor, unsure how much, and yes it is wrong, but it is probably to be expected when we allow humans to use their judgement. They will have beliefs that sway things, not always for the better. Question is how does one detect where a particular sentence is too tough or too lenient ? Who is to say ? Surely best you can do is have multiple judges on each case to try to curb any tendancy ?

[emmie]

not sure about here in UK< but certainly in USA, the chances are of ending up in jail there for black males is massive. I am not sure the courts are biased here, it's been a while since i was in one, however i do remember the casual way that some black guys were in the court room, either in the dock or watching from the gallery, with a rather cocky attitude and that doesn't sit well with a judge, even in a magistrates court. I would go with the idea that they are more likely to be stopped and searched by the police, the reason for that is i don't know.

[THECORBYLOON]

BAZWILLRUN, the report was produced by the MoJ so I doubt they are biased.

[bazwillrun]

still, makes a change from them always claiming to be under represented

some people want it all dont they, you just cant win.....

[bazwillrun]

"rather cocky attitude"

thats putting it mildly

last time i visited a court , sat in the public gallery and i still remember some black in the dock, charged with breaking and entering, burglary , theft.

lost count of how many times he belligerently sucked his teeth as the evidence was read out and pics etc shown by the prosecution, got a warning from the judge, did that stop him did it F....guilty as hell......couldnt stay to the end though so dont know what expired

[THECORBYLOON]

Do you think that you as a "white" are biased against non-white folk BAZWILLRUN?

[sp1814]

The last time you visited a court?

You're one up from me - I don't know anyone who's been up in court, and I've never been to one as a spectator.

Prefer the cinema.

[sandyRoe]

The Tricoteuse wouldn't go to court now. There's not the same drama played out since they abolished hanging. Cinema's probably better.

[ummmm]

Well I've been to court and it's pretty boring...

Sucking his teeth eh? I take it Baz hasn't seen any white people effing and blinding.

[bazwillrun]

I said the last time, and thats what happened the last time, so youre correct I havent seen any whites effing and blinding in court if thats what youre referring to.

The only other time I was in a court I didnt see any whites effing and blinding on that occasion either...maybe they do maybe they dont but i havent seen any.

[bazwillrun]

@ CORBYLOON

I could give you the lifeboat scenario again i suppose ...but i really cant be rsed

look it up, it will give you something to do