A Comprehensive Evaluation of In-Custody Deaths to Inform Criminal Justice Policy and Practice

• In Event: Informing Policy and Practice: The Influence of Race in Police Work

Abstract

Pervasive racial disparities are present in all areas of the criminal justice system, including in-custody deaths. People of color are historically subjected to higher rates of vehicle stops and arrests compared to their White counterparts, creating an environment where further entanglements with the legal system can occur. Alameda County, CA, has a population of over 1.6 million people, with 47% White, 22% Hispanic or Latino, and 11% Black or African American. From 2005-2014, African American and Hispanic in-custody deaths outnumbered White deaths for 9 of 10 years, at times increasing to 4.5 times higher death rates for underrepresented minorities. An examination of in-custody deaths from 2018-2022 in Alameda County, CA, will provide a comprehensive analysis of the known circumstances behind the deaths, including potential intervention points, mental health and drug misuse history, and deployed less-than-lethal options.

Authors

• Michelle Rippy, California State University, East Bay / National Institute of Justice

• Summer Jackson, California State University, East Bay