Race in prisons: Reflecting on the last 25 years and looking to the future

• In Event: PWG - Caste, race, and prison subcultures

Abstract

This work has been developed from conversations with the Zahid Mubarek Trust, who have campaigned to end racial disparities in the criminal justice system since the racist murder of Zahid on the morning of his release from Feltham Young Offenders Institute. This paper will discuss a systematic literature review into the evidence base on race within prisons. It will consider the quality of the evidence base pertaining to research conducted over the last 25 years into the topic, as well as identify priorities for future research and potential reasons for why academic interest into the area has gradually declined, despite the ongoing impact of racial inequalities within the criminal justice system. The aim of this work is to consolidate knowledge, rejuvenate interest and promote engagement on this topic from academics.

Authors

• Anastasia Jablonska, Royal Holloway, University of London

• Josephine Chishty-Collins, Royal Holloway, University of London