Description
Book SynopsisThat black young people have been subject to unequal treatment in the youth justice system has been the belief of some individuals and groups, reinforced, at best, by anecdotal evidence. Negative Images: A Simple Matter of Black and White? provides not only evidential weight to uphold this view but also provides some insights into the processes by which it comes about. Findings of a case study detailed in the book demonstrate how in one youth court black youths were over-represented amongst those receiving high-tariff sentencing and that this over-representation could not be explained by seriousness or persistence of offending. Whilst responsibility for differential sentencing has often been laid at the door of Magistrates, this study reveals how social work court report practice may be contributing to the situation.
Table of ContentsContents: The Backdrop: Introduction; Racism; Changing ideologies and the development of the juvenile justice system in England and Wales; Social Inquiry Reports: Historical developments and literature review; The juvenile justice system and Race. Negative Images: Wolverhampton, social services and the local juvenile justice system; Research methodology; Quantitative research; Qualitative research; Summary of findings and recommendations.
