Black young adults 'more likely to be dragged into justice system' for minor offences

A report by the Revolving Doors Agency into racial bias in the criminal justice system warns that black adults aged 18 to 24 are “significantly more likely to be dragged into the criminal justice system for relatively low-level and non-violent offences, such as theft or minor drug offences, rather than being given the support they need”.

Black young adults are 8.4 times more likely to receive a conviction than their white peers for so-called revolving door offences which include minor and non-violent offences, such as theft, summary non-motoring offences and drug offences, the study shows.

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“While the number of convictions for such offences for young adults has more than halved in the last decade, the rate at which this has fallen has been different across ethnicities. While the conviction rate for white young adults fell 55 per cent for black young adults it was 34 per cent. This has led to an increase in the proportion of black young adults in the system,” it states.

Of those convicted of such offences, black young adults are 47 per cent less likely to receive a community sentence and 81 per cent more likely to receive a custodial sentence than they were a decade ago.

They are also likely to receive prison sentences that are 80 per cent longer than those given white young adults who commit similar offences, the report states.

Young black adults are also twice as likely to receive a caution for minor, non-violent offences than their white peers, it adds, highlighting a regional variation.

Black young adults received 25 per cent of cautions given by London’s Metropolitan Police (black young adults account for three per cent of the population), 13 per cent in the West Midlands (0.2 per cent of the population), eight per cent in Nottinghamshire (0.3 per cent of population), five per cent  in Avon and Somerset (0.8 per cent of population). 

Nathan Dick, head of policy at the Revolving Doors Agency said: “Our justice system has a problem with racial discrimination. Too many black young adults are being unnecessarily dragged into the revolving door for minor and non-violent crimes. But there are solutions, and good reason to believe we can tackle these inequalities.

“Our police can divert young adults away from the criminal justice system into support and a brighter future. For people caught committing relatively low-level and non-violent offences it is the smart thing to do, it is proven to work, it reduces crime, it makes communities safer and it changes lives.”

HM inspector Wendy Williams, from HM Inspectorate for Constabulary, Fire and Rescue Services, said: “As the gatekeepers of the criminal justice system, the police have both the responsibility and the opportunity to divert young people from the system wherever appropriate. This responsibility must be fulfilled fairly and legitimately. Trust in our police – and the life outcomes of these young people – depend on it.

“But this report raises questions and concerns about racial disparities in how the police decide to deal with the young people with whom they come into contact. Policing must be able to answer these questions, and show how they are actively addressing these concerns.”

The Ministry of Justice has been contacted for comment.