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11.2: Arrest and Incarceration Disparities by Race and Ethnicity

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    Racial disparities in arrest rates represent one of the most extensively documented patterns in criminal justice research. According to recent FBI UCR data, Black individuals are arrested at rates substantially disproportionate to their representation in the general population, accounting for approximately 27% of all arrests while comprising roughly 13% of the U.S. population (FBI, 2023). Research by Nellis (2021) examining arrest rate disparities found that Black individuals were arrested at 3.6 times the rate of White individuals for drug offenses, despite similar rates of drug use across racial groups.

    Hispanic individuals also experience disproportionate arrest rates, though the magnitude varies by geographic region and specific offense type. Approximately 18% of arrests involve Hispanic individuals, roughly proportionate to their population share, but significant regional variations exist, particularly in border states and urban areas (Hartney & Vuong, 2019). Indigenous Americans experience the highest rates of arrest and incarceration relative to population size of any racial group. Native Americans are incarcerated at a rate 38% higher than the national average, with particularly stark disparities in states with significant Native populations (Perry, 2020).

    Part I Violent Offenses

    For Part I violent offenses, racial disparities are pronounced. Black individuals account for approximately 37% of arrests for violent crimes, including 52% of murder and nonnegligent manslaughter arrests, 54% of robbery arrests, and 33% of aggravated assault arrests (FBI, 2023). However, research by Steffensmeier et al. (2020) demonstrates that these disparities cannot be explained solely by differential offending rates. When controlling for neighborhood disadvantage, prior record, and other legally relevant factors, significant racial gaps in arrest probability persist, suggesting bias in policing practices.

    Analysis of rape and sexual assault arrests reveals complex patterns. While White individuals account for many arrests for these offenses (67%), Black individuals are arrested at rates approximately 2.5 times their population share. Research suggests these disparities may reflect differential policing intensity, victim-reporting patterns, and prosecutorial decision-making (Spohn & Holleran, 2018).

    Part I Property Offenses

    Property crime arrests also demonstrate significant racial disparities. For burglary, Black individuals account for approximately 29% of arrests, while White individuals account for 68%. For larceny-theft, the distribution is 28% Black and 69% White. Motor vehicle theft arrests show similar patterns, with 31% Black and 63% White arrestees (FBI, 2023). Geographic analysis reveals that these disparities are most pronounced in urban areas with high levels of residential segregation. Research by Peterson and Krivo (2019) found that neighborhood racial composition significantly predicted arrest rates even when controlling for actual crime rates, suggesting targeted policing of minority neighborhoods.

    Part II Offenses

    Part II offenses demonstrate even more striking racial disparities in many categories. Drug abuse violations show particularly severe disparities, with Black individuals accounting for 27% of arrests despite representing 13% of the population and using drugs at similar rates to White individuals (Ghandnoosh, 2022). A comprehensive study by the ACLU (2020) analyzing drug arrest data across all 50 states found that Black individuals were 3.64 times more likely to be arrested for marijuana possession than White individuals, despite similar usage rates.

    Weapons violations also show significant disparities, with Black individuals accounting for 42% of arrests despite comprising 13% of the population. Quality-of-life offenses such as vagrancy, loitering, and disorderly conduct show substantial racial disparities. In many urban jurisdictions, Black individuals are arrested at rates 5-10 times higher than White individuals for these offenses, which often involve significant officer discretion (Baumgartner et al., 2018).

    This page titled 11.2: Arrest and Incarceration Disparities by Race and Ethnicity was last modified on Sat, 26 Sep 2026 19:45:01 GMT and is shared under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Antoniette Aizon.