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More than half of British-born black and minority ethnic (BAME) adults believe that criminal justice is discriminatory.
Building Trust, a report from the Centre for Justice Innovation (CJI), showed that 51% of British-born BAME adults thought the system discriminates against particular groups and individuals, compared to 35% of British-born white people.
It revealed that BAME defendants are more likely to get longer prisoner sentences because their distrust of the system makes them reluctant to plead guilty.
When charged, black men are 40% more likely than similar white defendants to go to Crown court. Once there, they are 12% more likely to be given a prison sentence than their white counterparts. This disparity is even greater in relation to drug offences, where for every 100 white men imprisoned, 141 black men are imprisoned.
Labour MP David Lammy, currently leading a government review of race and the criminal justice system, dubbed the problem a ‘trust deficit’.
In order to build trust, the report called for the court process to be made clearer and more understandable, with perceptions of fairness and trust put at the centre of current court reforms, and for courts to be rooted in their local communities through pop-up courts in accessible public buildings such as libraries.
Report author and CJI director, Phil Bowen, said: ‘We all want our courts to treat people equally, regardless of their background or colour of their skin. A “them and us” perception of our courts has to be addressed – otherwise it spells trouble for the future.’
More than half of British-born black and minority ethnic (BAME) adults believe that criminal justice is discriminatory.
Building Trust, a report from the Centre for Justice Innovation (CJI), showed that 51% of British-born BAME adults thought the system discriminates against particular groups and individuals, compared to 35% of British-born white people.
It revealed that BAME defendants are more likely to get longer prisoner sentences because their distrust of the system makes them reluctant to plead guilty.
When charged, black men are 40% more likely than similar white defendants to go to Crown court. Once there, they are 12% more likely to be given a prison sentence than their white counterparts. This disparity is even greater in relation to drug offences, where for every 100 white men imprisoned, 141 black men are imprisoned.
Labour MP David Lammy, currently leading a government review of race and the criminal justice system, dubbed the problem a ‘trust deficit’.
In order to build trust, the report called for the court process to be made clearer and more understandable, with perceptions of fairness and trust put at the centre of current court reforms, and for courts to be rooted in their local communities through pop-up courts in accessible public buildings such as libraries.
Report author and CJI director, Phil Bowen, said: ‘We all want our courts to treat people equally, regardless of their background or colour of their skin. A “them and us” perception of our courts has to be addressed – otherwise it spells trouble for the future.’
Far-ranging month for the Chair of the Bar
Endometriosis Awareness North, a charity raising awareness of endometriosis and supporting those affected across the North of England, has received a £500 boost from AlphaBiolabs via the company’s Giving Back initiative
Marie Law, Director of Toxicology at AlphaBiolabs, examines the most recent data on alcohol misuse in the UK, and the implications for alcohol testing in family proceedings
Clement Cowley, Partner at The Penny Group, explains how tailored financial planning can help barristers take control of their finances and plan with confidence
Marie Law, Director of Toxicology at AlphaBiolabs
A £500 donation from AlphaBiolabs has been made to the leading UK charity tackling international parental child abduction and the movement of children across international borders
The case against judge-only justice – and why efficiency is not enough. By Professor Leslie Thomas KC
Jemima Coleman and Zoë Leventhal KC on the evolving global movement seeking to reframe how we view nature: to recognise that nature possesses inherent rights and to enshrine these rights in law
Heritage as an anchor and a compass, finding our common humanity and embracing the power of the outsider – Melina Antoniadis’s lessons learnt
Seeing the full picture – Baljit Ubhey OBE outlines the CPS action plan to tackle violence against women and girls, offering insights directly relevant to courtroom practice
Lauren Fullerton examines the how, what and why of setting up a second chambers base
