*/
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.’
Barbara Mills KC, the new Chair of the Bar, outlines some key themes and priorities
A family lawyer has won a £500 donation for her preferred charity, an education centre for women from disadvantaged backgrounds, thanks to drug, alcohol and DNA testing laboratory AlphaBiolabs’ Giving Back campaign
Louise Crush of Westgate Wealth Management highlights some of the ways you can cut your IHT bill
Rachel Davenport breaks down everything you need to know about AlphaBiolabs’ industry-leading laboratory testing services for legal matters
By Louise Crush of Westgate Wealth Management sets out the key steps to your dream property
A centre of excellence for youth justice, the Youth Justice Legal Centre provides specialist training, an advice line and a membership programme
What's it like being a legal trainee at the Crown Prosecution Service? Amy describes what drew her to the role, the skills required and a typical day in the life
Barbara Mills KC wants to raise the profile of the family Bar. She also wants to improve wellbeing and enhance equality, diversity and inclusion in the profession. She talks to Joshua Rozenberg KC (hon) about her plans for the year ahead
Professor Dominic Regan and Seán Jones KC identify good value bottles across the price spectrum – from festive fizz to reliable reds
Governments who play fast and loose with the law get into real trouble, says the new Attorney General. The Rt Hon Lord Hermer KC talks to Anthony Inglese CB about what drew this boy from Cardiff to the Bar, bringing the barrister ethos to the front bench, and how he will be measuring success
Mark Neale, Director General of the Bar Standards Board, offers an update on the Equality Rules consultation
