NEWCOMER AND RACIAL MINORITY PERCEPTIONS OF THE

CANADIAN CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM:RESULTS FROM A 2007 TORONTO SURVEY

Scot Wortley

and

Akwasi Owusu-Bempah

RESEARCH QUESTIONS

• 1) Do immigrants and racial minorities evaluate the performance of the police and criminal courts differently than native-born Canadians?

• 2) Do immigrants and racial minorities perceive more bias in the justice system?

• 3) Do immigrant perceptions of the justice system vary by time spent in Canada?

• 4) Do other personal characteristics and experiences explain racial differences in perceptions of the justice system.

THE DATA

• 2007 survey of 1,522 Toronto adults (18 years of age or older).

• Stratified sample designed to produce a representative sample of black, Chinese and white residents (over 500 respondents from each group).

• Response rate=73%

Mean Scores on Police and Court Evaluation Scales, by Length of Time in Canada

4.11 3.993.5 3.53

3.83.53

7.91

7.17 6.95 6.91

7.898.22

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

1-5 yrs 6-10 yrs 11-15 yrs 16-20 yrs 20+ yrs Born inCanada

CourtsPolice

Mean Scores on Police and Court Evaluation Scales, by Race

3.873.32 3.41

7.057.34

8.92

0

12

34

5

67

89

10

Chinese Black White

CourtsPolice

Mean Scores on Police and Court Bias Scales,by Length of Time in Canada

5.01 5.78 6.38 6.72 6.72 6.27

22.56

28.47

33.5535.4

30.131.43

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

1-5 yrs 6-10 yrs 11-15 yrs 16-20 yrs 20+ yrs Born inCanada

CourtsPolice

Mean Scores on Police and Court Bias Scales,by Race

5.12 5.757.63

25.48 26.19

39.03

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

Chinese White Black

CourtsPolice

Mean Score on Police Bias Scale,by Race and Time in Canada

24

3841

43 44

2325

27 2830

05

101520253035404550

1-5 yrs 6-10 yrs 11-15 yrs 16-20 yrs Born inCanada

BlackChinese

Multivariate Analyses:Significant Predictors

• Race and Immigration Status• Age• Education• Social Class• Record of arrest• Marijuana use• Police stops• Vicarious Police Contact

Discussion Questions

• Why do some Canadians evaluate the police and courts more highly than others?

• Why do some Canadians perceive bias in the justice system?

• What are the consequences of negative perceptions?

• How can we improve perceptions?