Topic Theory/ Key findings
Sociologi
st
Criminalisa Statistics 1. Black people make up 13% of the prison population
tion 2. Asian people make up nearly 8% of the prison population
3. 14% of the population is BAME, and yet they make up 26% of the prison population = disproportionate
4. Black people are x19 more likely to be stopped and searched (2020)
Key There is an argument whether the higher offending rates of ethnic minorities is down to selective law enforcement or do ethnic minorities
debate actually commit more crimes for sociological reasons? Black people are over represented among those identified by victims of offenders –
white victims may ‘over identify’ blacks as being responsible for crime. In reality, blacks and whites had similar rates of offending in self-
report studies (43% vs 44%). In fact, use of class A drugs was higher amongst whites (6% vs 2%). Victims surveys show that a great deal of
crime is intra-ethnic and self-report studies challenge official statistics on rates of blacks offending. However, statistics only cover personal
crimes – 1/5 all crime and don’t cover white collar/corporate crime.
Racism Policing- allegations of oppressive policing of minorities by a mass stop and search operations, armed raids, police violence etc.
and the Stop and search- black people are x7 more likely to be stopped and searched, Asian people x2 likely. Asians are more likely to be
criminal stopped under prevention of Terrorism Act. Minorities think they are being over policed and under protected.
justice Explaining stop and search patterns- police racism and institutional racism within the Metropolitan Police via endorsing stereotypes
system and ‘canteen culture’ (racist conversations during canteen breaks that may reinforce negative views of social groups and lead to
further selective law enforcement). Alternatively, differences in stop an searches reflect different levels of offending. Demographic
factors- minorities more likely to be young, unemployed and lower class. The media can also fuel the labelling of minorities.
Arrests and cautions- arrest rate for blacks was three times the rate for whites. Blacks and Asians less likely to receive a caution
than whites.
Prosecution and trial- Crown Prosecution Service is more likely to drop cases against ethnic minorities due to poor evidence for the
case. Minority is more likely to go for Crown Court than Magistrates Court. This is because they were falsely arrested in the first
place due to institutional racism (discrimination that is embedded within the normal practices of the police).
Convictions and sentencing - Black and Asians less likely to be found guilty suggesting discrimination on bringing weak cases to
court. Black offenders have a higher imprisonment rate than whites with black men 5% more likely to receive a custodial sentence
and a longer sentence than whites.
Pre-sentence reports- minorities depicted as a higher risk of reoffending than whites, seen as less remorseful than whites.
Prison- ¼ of the prison population are ethnic minorities. Black and Asian offenders are more likely to be imprisoned than whites and
are more likely to receive longer prison sentences.
Ethnic Historical ‘Black criminality’ became a perceived problem in the mid-1970s due to increased conflict with the police. ‘Asian crimes’ became a
differences reasons perceived problem in the 1990s after 9/11. The issue of Islamic Fundamentalism backs up a functionalist view on society as it shows the
value consensus is required to ensure social stability and has led to xenophobia.
Left Lea and Young: ethnic differences in the statistics reflect real differences in the level of offending by different ethnic groups. They see
Sociologi
st
Criminalisa Statistics 1. Black people make up 13% of the prison population
tion 2. Asian people make up nearly 8% of the prison population
3. 14% of the population is BAME, and yet they make up 26% of the prison population = disproportionate
4. Black people are x19 more likely to be stopped and searched (2020)
Key There is an argument whether the higher offending rates of ethnic minorities is down to selective law enforcement or do ethnic minorities
debate actually commit more crimes for sociological reasons? Black people are over represented among those identified by victims of offenders –
white victims may ‘over identify’ blacks as being responsible for crime. In reality, blacks and whites had similar rates of offending in self-
report studies (43% vs 44%). In fact, use of class A drugs was higher amongst whites (6% vs 2%). Victims surveys show that a great deal of
crime is intra-ethnic and self-report studies challenge official statistics on rates of blacks offending. However, statistics only cover personal
crimes – 1/5 all crime and don’t cover white collar/corporate crime.
Racism Policing- allegations of oppressive policing of minorities by a mass stop and search operations, armed raids, police violence etc.
and the Stop and search- black people are x7 more likely to be stopped and searched, Asian people x2 likely. Asians are more likely to be
criminal stopped under prevention of Terrorism Act. Minorities think they are being over policed and under protected.
justice Explaining stop and search patterns- police racism and institutional racism within the Metropolitan Police via endorsing stereotypes
system and ‘canteen culture’ (racist conversations during canteen breaks that may reinforce negative views of social groups and lead to
further selective law enforcement). Alternatively, differences in stop an searches reflect different levels of offending. Demographic
factors- minorities more likely to be young, unemployed and lower class. The media can also fuel the labelling of minorities.
Arrests and cautions- arrest rate for blacks was three times the rate for whites. Blacks and Asians less likely to receive a caution
than whites.
Prosecution and trial- Crown Prosecution Service is more likely to drop cases against ethnic minorities due to poor evidence for the
case. Minority is more likely to go for Crown Court than Magistrates Court. This is because they were falsely arrested in the first
place due to institutional racism (discrimination that is embedded within the normal practices of the police).
Convictions and sentencing - Black and Asians less likely to be found guilty suggesting discrimination on bringing weak cases to
court. Black offenders have a higher imprisonment rate than whites with black men 5% more likely to receive a custodial sentence
and a longer sentence than whites.
Pre-sentence reports- minorities depicted as a higher risk of reoffending than whites, seen as less remorseful than whites.
Prison- ¼ of the prison population are ethnic minorities. Black and Asian offenders are more likely to be imprisoned than whites and
are more likely to receive longer prison sentences.
Ethnic Historical ‘Black criminality’ became a perceived problem in the mid-1970s due to increased conflict with the police. ‘Asian crimes’ became a
differences reasons perceived problem in the 1990s after 9/11. The issue of Islamic Fundamentalism backs up a functionalist view on society as it shows the
value consensus is required to ensure social stability and has led to xenophobia.
Left Lea and Young: ethnic differences in the statistics reflect real differences in the level of offending by different ethnic groups. They see
