Reducing Discrimination Criminal Justice System Assignment Sample

Introduction Of Reducing Discrimination in the UK Criminal Justice System: Analysis and Strategies

The criminal justice system is a type of system or the agencies of the government that are provided charge of enforcing the law and ensuring that no crime is being conducted within the society. The objective of the criminal justice system is to try to prevent the occurrence of crime. Within society, criminal activities are increasing and as a result, society is not safe and people are not secure within it. Hence, this criminal justice system helps in analysing the situation and tries to reduce crime. About discrimination, there is a high need to have a sound criminal justice system against discrimination. In addition to this, it will also outline the evidence of the existence of discrimination and the people who are discriminated against. In the end, the efforts made by the authorities to reduce the level of discrimination will be discussed. Furthermore, the evaluation of the success of these efforts will be identified at the end of the study.

Main Body

Evidence of the existence of discrimination along with who is discriminated against and why it happens

Discrimination is defined as the act of practising unfair ways of treating people based on different bases. There are different bases on which the person is differentiated from one another. These bases include race, ethnic group, gender, class, sex and many other different aspects. Discrimination can be undertaken based on any of the above points and it is not good for the person and the company as well (Hackett and et.al., 2020). This discrimination is generally experienced when the person or a group of people is unfairly treated as compared to the other people. It includes restricting a person from a group by using some privileges of the opportunities which are available for every member of the group. This restriction can be due to the reason that the person belongs to some other category like gender, race or cultural background. This discrimination is based on many different aspects and it can hurt the person to a great extent.

There are different pieces of evidence which state that there is high discrimination taking place within the criminal justice system of the country. This is pertaining to the fact that when people work together then automatically the discrimination starts (Walker, 2020). The criminal justice many times discriminates on the basis of age. This is particularly because of the reason that crime is generally committed by young people and they particularly commit the crime within the age of mid to late teen. The criminal justice system states that this peak age fluctuates with time but mostly it is committed within the younger age only (Rucker and Richeson, 2021). With the evaluation of the secondary sources, it is clear that the drift theory is followed within the criminal justice system. This theory states that young people quickly drift in but along with this they drift out from the criminal activities some time later. The discrimination takes place on the basis of age and this is not good.

Within the UK criminal justice system, discrimination takes place generally on the basis of ethnic group. Based on the evaluation of the secondary sources it is clear that the discrimination affects the working of the businesses and the working of the different aspects to a great extent. Within the UK the ethnic group includes all the people covered under the ethnic group except for White British. Within the criminal justice system, there are many different race inequalities present. The most common type of evidence of discrimination is that black men are arrested more as compared to white people. While placing the person in prison as well, the discrimination takes place as the white people are imprisoned in high-security prison and in case a black person did the same crime then they will be placed in the normal prison only. This discrimination takes place on the basis of the ethnic group and the race. This discrimination occurs while providing justice to people and it is based on the category to which they belong.

With the analysis of different sources, it was seen that David Lammy stated that in case there will be higher discrimination is proposed then it will divide the public into two category that is them and us. This is particularly because of the reason that when the person is discriminated then it will demotivate them and as a result of this the working efficiency will be affected. Racial bias is very high within the justice system of the UK and this is not good. The reason underlying the fact is that when the biases present are high then proper treatment and justice will not be provided to the people. Thus, as a result of this, the working efficiency of the people will be affected as they are not provided with justice and as a result of this, their working capability will be reduced.

In addition to this, another finding stated that there are also different types of discrimination which take place on the basis of race and ethnicity (Byrne and et.al., 2020). The evidence outlines that within England and Wales, black men are stopped and searched five times more as compared to white men. This is discriminatory evidence because the people belonging to the black category are searched more and other people are white and because of this they are not searched or stopped. This evidence states that when a person belongs to a particular category then they are stopped and searched. But in case the person belongs to another category which is white then they will not even be stopped (Sushina and Sobenin, 2020).

In addition to this, another piece of evidence identified within the working was that black people are more physically restrained within police custody as compared to white men. This is particularly because of the reason that when black people are found with something they are detained within the police custody. With the findings of the article, it was evaluated that 40 % of the total prisoners under the age of 18 belonged to the Asian, Black, Other and Mixed groups which are all the different ethnic groups present in the UK (Exposed: ‘racial bias' in England and Wales criminal justice system, 2023). With this evidence, it is clear that there is high racial discrimination present within the social justice system of the UK. This is not good for the country as here the injustice is taking place and this affects the working efficiency of the whole of the country. Further, in the other study, it was clear that the BAME population is also discriminated. This BAME is the acronym for Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic people. This term is used in order to describe the non-white ethnicities and is generally used for measuring the diversity and for comparing it with the white population.

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Another evidence of the discrimination taking place is the recruitment and selection process within the corporate sector. This is particularly a good example because while selecting the candidate for a job position, discrimination takes place to a great extent. The reason underlying the fact is that when people come for the job also they have to face discrimination. The evidence outlines the fact that when people belonging to a white group and black group come for the same job then the job will be provided to the white person only. Even in case the black person or the person belonging to the BAME category is more qualified and has better experience as compared to white people. The statistics outline that approximately 70 % of white applicants are preferred over black irrespective of the experience and the qualification of the candidate (Devakumar and et.al., 2022). Even though there are laws made in order to reduce discrimination within the workplace like the Employment Act, Diversity Act and many others discrimination takes place.

The Impact of Gender and Racial Discrimination in the Workplace and Justice System

In addition to this, other than race discrimination, gender discrimination also takes place. This is particularly because of the reason that within the corporate sector, both males and females work. Thus, as a result of this, there are many different situations within which discrimination takes place between males and females. The first discriminatory activity between both of them includes the pay they get. There is discrimination being undertaken while paying the employees. Even if both the employees are working in the same position then also the male candidate will be paid more as compared to the females (Day and Gill, 2020). Similarly, at the time of promotions, the males are preferred and this is a discriminatory act which is not at all good for both the company and the employees. This is particularly the reason that when discrimination takes place in the workplace it will affect the efficiency of the employees and the overall working of the company to a great extent. Even though there are many different types of laws being made for the monitoring of discrimination in the workplace. However, the companies do not comply with the effective implementation of these laws into practice. Thus, as a result of this discrimination takes place and this ultimately affects the overall working of the company and the employees.

With further evaluation, it is clear that within the justice system of UK the discrimination is very high. This is particularly because of the reason that white people are much preferred over other people. Thus, as a result of this, the overall working of the justice system is affected to a great extent. There is a high disparity within the working of the people within the judicial system. This is particularly because of the reason that when the discrimination is high then it will be affecting the efficiency of the people involved within the legal sector. Also, with further evaluation, it was evident that racism is always institutional and structural within the justice system (Lumsden and Harmer, eds., 2019). This is particularly because of the reason that racism has been taking place for decades and it creates an impact on the working of the legal system to a great extent. Thus it is the responsibility of the people that they must work ethically and must not take any steps while leading to discrimination.

In addition to this, it was also evaluated that the people involved in the justice system are biased on the basis of race and ethnic groups. This includes judges, lawyers and other people involved within the legal sector. With the secondary analysis, it was clear that the legal professionals also undertake discriminatory practices and this harms the overall working of the justice system of the country. A survey conducted with 373 legal professionals outlines that approximately 56 % of the respondents stated that the judge acted in a biased manner and conducted discrimination among the victim and the offender (Race inequalities in the criminal justice system, 2023). The judges provide harsh sentences in case then the offender is belonging to black category.

(Source: Judiciary in England and Wales ‘institutionally racist', says report. 2023)

With this it is clear that majority of the judges are practising racial discrimination while solving any of the case. This is not at all good for the country as the people within the social justice system are only practicing discrimination (Motz, Dennis and Aiyegbusi, 2020). In case these people are discriminating against others, then they will not be in a position to stop other people from conducting discrimination. Thus, with this, it is clear that it is very necessary for the country to ensure that discrimination is reduced so that the working of the whole system can be improved.

Efforts made to reduce discrimination and whether it became successful

With the above analysis, it is clear that discrimination within the justice system is very high. Thus it is very necessary for the parties of the justice system to try to make efforts to reduce the discrimination within this system. The reason underlying the fact is that when the discrimination is low then it will help the country to ensure that the proper work is undertaken so that discrimination can be reduced. For the effective working of the country, it is very necessary that discrimination is reduced. This is crucial because when the discrimination is less then it will affect the efficiency of the business and as a result of this, the overall development of the country will take place. By the evaluation, it is clear that the government and legal authorities of the country are trying to focus on building trust (Ugwudike, 2020). This is particularly necessary for the reason that when proper trust is built then in such a case the working efficiency will be improved. This is particularly because of the reason that when the trust will be more then it will keep the people happy that the discriminatory strategies have been reduced. This is particularly because of the reason that when the system focuses on building trust then they will not perform the activities which might result in people feeling safe with the legal system.

In addition to this, another action that the UK justice system can take to reduce discriminatory activities is to continuously research and educate them. This is particularly necessary for the reason that there are many different types of changes taking place within the external environment (Noiret, Lumetzberger and Kampel, 2021). In case these changes will not be adopted by the justice system then it will be affecting the efficiency and the capability to work. Thus, for this effective training needs to be taken so that the working can be improved. This training will help the justice system to ensure that all these latest changes are implemented within the system. This is necessary because when the latest changes are implemented within the working then it will improve the working efficiency and as a result of this working will be improved.

Furthermore, another effort made by the justice system of the UK to reduce discrimination is to ensure that the laws are also timely updated. This is particularly necessary for the reason that when the laws are updated according to the latest changes it will be helping the justice system to ensure that the proper application of the law is made. This inclusion of the latest changes will ensure that the overall working is improved and also the new changes are complied with effectively while working. Just adding the changes within the law is not enough rather it needs to be implemented as well. This is particularly necessary for the reason that when these changes are implemented only the working of the justice system will be improved. Thus, great efforts were made in order to implement the changes in the laws and bring them into practice so that the work can be managed in a proper and effective way and discrimination can be reduced.

In addition to this, another strategy for reducing discrimination within the criminal justice system is to respect other cultures as well. This is particularly necessary because when other cultures are respected then it reduces the chances of discrimination. Thus, it is very necessary for the companies and the judicial system that they effectively comply with respecting other cultures and people coming from another ethnic group (Quillian and Midtbøen, 2021). This in turn will help the people to respect others and this will motivate the people to not discriminate against others. In addition to this, respecting others will improve the ethical values and proper respect will be provided to the other community. Ultimately this will motivate them to interact with one another effectively and not to discriminate in any of the cases.

With the application of these efforts, there was an improvement in the reduction of discrimination. This is particularly for the reason that when these correcting measures are undertaken ultimately the discrimination will be reduced. Thus, resultantly the criminal justice system of the UK will be improved (Lee, 2019). All the above efforts made were very helpful for the country in managing and trying to reduce discrimination. The result of the efforts made for the reduction of discrimination was successful. This can be stated because with compliance with the different recovery strategies, the discrimination is reduced and as a result of this the overall performance of the work is improved. This is particularly because of the reason that now people are more aware of the ways the law is applied for the improvement of the working and different situations. This is beneficial because now people are more aware of the concept of lawful working and anti-discriminatory working (Wachter, Mittelstadt and Russell, 2020). Thus, as a result of this, the overall working is improved and the crime rate within the whole UK is also reducing. This is particularly because of the reason that people are now aware of all the rules and regulations and laws. Thus, in case of any discrimination, they instantly report the case and as a result of this, the discrimination is reduced.

Conclusion

In the end, it is concluded that the criminal justice system is a type of system which provides legal guidance relating to any of the situations within the country. The criminal justice system is the one which outlines all the rules regulations and laws that need to be followed by the companies and other people living within the society. The above study outlined that discrimination is very common within the criminal justice system. This is particularly because discrimination is made based on ethnicity that is white and black people. The above discussion highlighted the fact that black people are much more troubled as compared to white people. In addition to this, it was evaluated that within the workplace as well discrimination is very high based on gender. Further, the study outlined that many efforts are being taken to reduce the impact of discrimination. The major efforts taken are to adapt to the latest changes, provide training and many other different strategies. All these strategies were successful as after the implementation of these strategies the discrimination was reduced.

References

Books and Journals

• Byrne, B. and et.al., 2020. Ethnicity, Race and Inequality in the UK: State of the Nation (p. 316). Policy press.
• Day, A.S. and Gill, A.K., 2020. Applying intersectionality to partnerships between women's organizations and the criminal justice system in relation to domestic violence. The British Journal of Criminology. 60(4). pp.830-850.
• Devakumar, D. and et.al., 2022. Racism, xenophobia, discrimination, and the determination of health. The Lancet. 400(10368). pp.2097-2108.
• Hackett, R. A. and et.al., 2020. Racial discrimination and health: a prospective study of ethnic minorities in the United Kingdom. BMC public health. 20(1). pp.1-13.
• Lee, R., 2019. Myanmar's Citizenship Law as State Crime: A Case for the International Criminal Court. State Crime J.. 8. p.241.
• Lumsden, K. and Harmer, E. eds., 2019. Online othering: Exploring digital violence and discrimination on the web. Springer.
• Motz, A., Dennis, M. and Aiyegbusi, A., 2020. Invisible trauma: Women, difference and the criminal justice system. Routledge.
• Noiret, S., Lumetzberger, J. and Kampel, M., 2021, December. Bias and Fairness in Computer Vision Applications of the Criminal Justice System. In 2021 IEEE Symposium Series on Computational Intelligence (SSCI) (pp. 1-8). IEEE.
• Quillian, L. and Midtbøen, A.H., 2021. Comparative perspectives on racial discrimination in hiring: The rise of field experiments. Annual Review of Sociology, 47, pp.391-415.
• Rucker, J.M. and Richeson, J.A., 2021. Toward an understanding of structural racism: Implications for criminal justice. Science. 374(6565). pp.286-290.
• Sushina, T. and Sobenin, A., 2020, May. Artificial intelligence in the criminal justice system: leading trends and possibilities. In 6th International Conference on Social, economic, and academic leadership (ICSEAL-6-2019) (pp. 432-437). Atlantis Press.
• Ugwudike, P., 2020. Digital prediction technologies in the justice system: The implications of a ‘race-neutral'agenda. Theoretical Criminology. 24(3). pp.482-501.
• Wachter, S., Mittelstadt, B. and Russell, C., 2020. Bias preservation in machine learning: the legality of fairness metrics under EU non-discrimination law. W. Va. L. Rev.. 123. p.735.
• Walker, S., 2020. Systemic racism: Big, Black, mad and dangerous in the criminal justice system. In The international handbook of black community mental health (pp. 41-60). Emerald Publishing Limited.

Online

• Exposed: ‘racial bias' in England and Wales criminal justice system. 2023. [Online]. Available through: <https://www.theguardian.com/law/2017/sep/08/racial-bias-uk-criminal-justice-david-lammy>
• Judiciary in England and Wales ‘institutionally racist', says report. 2023. [Online]. Available through: <https://www.theguardian.com/law/2022/oct/18/judiciary-in-england-and-wales-institutionally-racist-says-report>
• Race inequalities in the criminal justice system. 2023. [Online]. Available through: <44a4bxedxPwGQtSnEzGzdejnCdtrDJqkJ6uqWwGbXmdx5zrjGdHivmr9pyd7x8rVQMgumwGPCfuwseieCg8tuN5jNNeMJPU>