Abstract
This chapter examines the influence of race/ethnicity on criminal offending, victimization, fear of crime and perceptions of safety and police-citizen relations in Trinidad and Tobago. We rely on a variety of data to illustrate the intersection of race/ethnicity, crime and criminal justice, including official crime statistics, citizen surveys, self-report studies and national opinion polls. We highlight significant racial/ethnic differences in criminal offending (particularly for homicide), violent and non-violent victimization patterns, and fear of crime and perceived safety. Given the important role that the police play as the public face of the criminal justice system, we examine how perceptions of the police vary across racial/ethnic groups. Throughout the chapter and in the conclusion, we discuss potential explanations for the racial/ethnic differences reflected in the data.
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© 2012 Devon Johnson and Tammy Rinehart Kochel
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Johnson, D., Kochel, T.R. (2012). Race, Ethnicity, Crime and Criminal Justice in Trinidad and Tobago. In: Kalunta-Crumpton, A. (eds) Race, Ethnicity, Crime and Criminal Justice in the Americas. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1057/9780230355866_10
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/9780230355866_10
Publisher Name: Palgrave Macmillan, London
Print ISBN: 978-1-349-32162-9
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