Police and prisons slammed on racism

Black young people experience “all-pervasive” racism in the criminal justice system, a new report claims.

Police and prison officers often show a “blatant disregard” for racist incidents and fail to take action, said The Children’s Society report. Boys and girls aged 10 to 18 interviewed by the charity said professionals subjected them to racist name calling and “judged them by appearances”.

The report also identifies an “emerging triple burden”, following the terrorist attacks of 11 September 2001 and 7 July 2005, of being young, black and Muslim.

Very few young people were aware of race relations policies in custody and it was rare for them to use complaints procedures. The lack of black staff was also a problem.

The report called for a review ofcomplaints procedures and monitoring of racist incidents, and for greater representation of black staff within the criminal justice system.

● Just Justice from www.childrenssociety.org.uk