Saturday, January 22, 2005

Twelve Racist Sexists And True

There are striking differences (table from this report) in the imprisonment ratios of different ethnic groups in the UK. These differences are blamed by Guardianistas on the innate racism of the Native Brits.

Black people are imprisoned at five times the rate of white due to racism. South Asian (of Indian/Pakistani/Bangladeshi) origin are imprisoned at rates 25% less than white due to ... er ... er ...

And women are imprisoned at rates 95% less than men due to ... er ... committing less crime ?

The police in London and Manchester have been shown to be institutionally racist - so more black people are arrested than white .
And less South Asian ... er .. more black people are arrested than white.

The Crown Prosecution Service is institutionally racist - so more black people are charged. Then juries convict them.

At last society is about to address the hidden racism and sexism of the secretive jury system.

Deliberations of juries in criminal trials could be studied, under plans being considered by the government.
Research could look at the key factors behind a verdict and whether there was any evidence of gender or racial bias.


However, the issue of understanding how a jury comes to its verdict and "what would help them most in the presentation of cases" would require researchers to ask individual jurors their views, but not specifically about the cases they are judging.

Under the consultation, if a jury was influenced, for example by racial bias, then a court should investigate, Lord Falconer said.

In a racist society, the idea that jury members should be representatives of the general public is no longer acceptable. Such people will inevitably bring their racism and sexism into the jury room. Only enlightened people with correct views should serve. This initiative is a valuable first step towards that end.



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