Ethnicity, gender, remand, plea and sentencing

This Data Insight examines whether ethnic
disparities persist across successive stages of the
criminal justice system – remand, plea and
imprisonment – after controlling for other factors,
and how these disparities differ among men and
women. The analyses seek to contribute to a better
understanding of sources of cumulative
disadvantage in the justice system. These may
stem from disadvantages accrued at earlier
decision points in the court process, as well as from
the intersection of multiple identities such as
gender and ethnicity.
The analyses are based on linked criminal courts
datasets made available through the ADR UKfunded Ministry of Justice Data First programme,
and multilevel models of remand, plea and
imprisonment. The results show persistent ethnic
disparities in remand and plea after controlling for
other factors. Women defendants from all ethnic
minority groups are more likely to be remanded in
custody than white British women. Men from black,
mixed, white and other minority groups not
individually reported are more likely to be
remanded in custody compared to white British
men. However, Asian men are less likely to be
remanded in custody than white British men.