Home Affairs - Second Report
Here you can browse the report together with the Proceedings of the Committee. The published report was ordered by the House of Commons to be printed 22 May 2007.
CONTENTS
Terms of Reference
REPORT
INTRODUCTION
1 NATURE AND EXTENT OF YOUNG
BLACK PEOPLE'S OVERREPRESENTATION
Young black people's overrepresentation
must be kept in context
Statistics on overrepresentation are contradictory
and disputed
Young black people are disproportionately
likely to be arrested, remanded in custody, convicted and imprisoned
Young black people are more likely to be
victims of violent crime
Young black people are overrepresented as
suspects for certain crimes
More young black people are convicted
of robbery offences
Young black people are overrepresented for
drugs offences
Firearms crime was a concern in many of the
communities we spoke to
Involvement in youth affiliations which commit
crime is a particular issue
Most problems relate to young men, but young
women are a growing concern
Patterns of overrepresentation vary considerably
within ethnic groups
Data gaps in key areas preclude a clear picture
of overrepresentation
Some respondents were concerned about media
distortion of young black people's involvement in the criminal
justice system
The Committee's research showed most members
of the public reject stereotyping as regards young black people's
involvement in crime
Conclusion—the nature and extent of
overrepresentation
2 THE CAUSES OF OVERREPRESENTATION
Social exclusion is the primary cause
of overrepresentation
Young black people are disproportionately
subject to socio-economic disadvantage
Educational underachievement is a symptom
and cause of disadvantage
Educational underachievement and disaffection
is accompanied by high levels of school exclusion among black
young people
Deprivation and underachievement mean young
black people lack positive role models to which to aspire
Other issues within black communities compound
disadvantage
Family and parenting factors contribute
to overrepresentation
Young black people's distinctive reaction
to disadvantage also causes involvement in crime
Criminal Justice System factors play a direct
and indirect role in promoting overrepresentation
Young black people who have offended are
more likely to come into contact with the system
In some instances, discrimination contributes
directly to overrepresentation
The perception, as well as the reality, of
discrimination promotes involvement with the criminal justice
system
Conclusion—the causes of overrepresentation
3 SOLUTIONS TO OVERREPRESENTATION
Government policy and delivery must improve
to meet the challenge of reducing overrepresentation
Government action to date has made little
impact on overrepresentation
A coherent strategy to address overrepresentation
is needed
Government must ensure strategies to tackle
social exclusion address the needs of all ethnic groups
There is scope for more, focused support
for positive adult influences both inside and outside the home
Parenting interventions must be assessed
to ensure they are accessible and relevant to black communities
Mentoring can play a crucial role in lifting
young black people's aspirations
Government should recognise and reinforce
schools' central role in reducing overrepresentation
A more tailored and joined-up response is
required from statutory services at local level
Government must ensure drug treatment
is meeting the needs of all young people
There is scope for improvement in the allocation
of housing to vulnerable young people of all ethnicities
Improvements to youth facilities and activities
in deprived areas will be an important part of any strategy to
reduce overrepresentation
Successful preventative and gang exit schemes
at local level are the best means of combating the influence of
negative youth affiliations
Voluntary organisations have a vital role
to play in reducing overrepresentation
Faith-based groups have a valuable role
to play
Statutory providers must become better partners
for the voluntary sector
Voluntary groups could achieve more with
longer-term funding
Robust and realistic evaluation of voluntary
sector initiatives is needed
Broadcasters and producers have a responsibility
to tackle public concern about violent and criminal content
All CJS agencies must work together to reduce
overrepresentation
The Youth Justice Board's approach requires
greater urgency
Government must urgently fill gaps in ethnic
data and monitoring
Further measures are needed to address shortcomings
in the application of stop and search powers and to improve the
nature of the encounter
More opportunities for interaction and communication
between police and young people could help overcome tensions
More radical measures may be required to
increase ethnic minority representation amongst Criminal Justice
System staff
Greater continuity is needed between the
youth and adult justice systems
CJS interventions must be prompt in order
to be relevant
Reducing victimisation and fear of crime
among black communities should be a key goal of Government's strategy
Rehabilitation interventions must be appropriate
to the needs of all ethnicities
Research is needed to determine the implications
of so many black males being present on the National DNA Database
Additional action may be necessary in respect
of mixed race groups
4 CONCLUSION
CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
ANNEX: Recommendations Relating To Data
And Research On Young Black People's Overrepresentation
In The Criminal Justice System
FORMAL MINUTES
LIST OF WITNESSES
LIST OF WRITTEN EVIDENCE
LIST OF UNPRINTED WRITTEN EVIDENCE
REPORTS FROM THE HOME AFFAIRS COMMITTEE
MINUTES OF EVIDENCE - VOLUME II (HC 181-II)
WRITTEN EVIDENCE - VOLUME II (HC 181-II)
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