2.10 Ethnicity, Crime and Criminal Justice Content

• BAME groups are generally over-represented in the CJS
• Those of Black and mixed ethnicity are more likely than other BAME groups to be over-represented
• Over-representation is particularly pronounced in relation to imprisonment with 25 per cent of adult prisoners and 41 per cent of youth prisoners in England and Wales from BAME backgrounds in 2015.
• The disparities are not all one way. BAME females were less likely to be charged than comparable White groups
• The situation is not unique to the UK
• How do Neo-Marxist sociologists explain BAME over-representation in the CJS?

  As a product of criminalisation of young Black men, particularly by the police and courts.
• What does Hall argue?

  In the 1970s a moral panic developed around 'mugging' and that young Black men served as scapegoats for an economic and political crisis faced by the British state.
• How does Hall explain African Caribbean criminality?

  Recession in the 1970s hit immigrant groups hard. They became a 'surplus labour force' many of whom were not required for employment. In low-status and low paid jobs so turned to street crime as a survival strategy, eg petty street crime, casual drug dealing and prostitution.
• What do Left Realists argue about BAME groups and crime?

  Given the social and economic marginalisation of BAME groups in British society, higher levels of criminality are to be expected.
• How does Hall suggest the ruling class use racism?

  They use racism as a tool to divide the proletariat and prevent a revolution
• What does Hall argue the Bourgeoisie have created, through the media?

  'Moral panics' about ethnic minority groups which have led to clear divisions due to racial tensions.
• What does Neo Marxist Gilroy argue about the 'myth of black criminality"?

  Gilroy rejects the view that Black criminals belong to an 'alien culture' or that minority ethnic groups were poorly socialised leading them to become criminals. Instead he saw minority ethnic groups as defending themselves against a society that treated them unjustly.
• What do Lea and Young suggest about ethnic minorities and crime?

  Ethnic minorities suffer from marginalisation and relative deprivation. This can lead to ethnic minorities forming subcultures which help alleviate feelings of marginalisation. But these can lead to deviant forms and higher rates of criminality.
• What does Right realist Moynihan argue about ethnic minorities and crime?

  Claims the main cause behind ethnic minority crime is poor socialisation caused by ineffective family structures. Suggests that cultural deprivation can become a cycle in single parent families and children are likely to fail in education.
• What the Macpherson Report (1999) a result of and what did it highlight?

  Result of Stephen Lawrence murder, highlighting the existence of institutional racism in the Metropolitan police force.
• What did Macpherson accuse the police of?

  Incompetency - by not following up on important leads.
• Since the publication of the MacPherson report how have the police changed?

  Has been actively changing policies to deal with institutional racism and recruiting more officers from ethnic minorities. However the crime rate among ethnic minorities has not decreased.
• What does Holdaway's "Canteen culture" argue?

  Police officers in themselves are not racist, but when together they can reinforce stereotypes which are then acted on on duty.
• What are members of BAME groups more likely to be victims of?

  More likely to be victims of personal crime than White groups.
• What other factors are relevant in explaining BAME groups as victims of personal crime?

  Residential location, age-structure and unemployment rates.
• What type of crime are BAME groups far more likely to be victims of than White groups?

  Racial and religious hate crimes.