ACLU research report, A
Tale of Two Countries: Racially Targeted Arrests in the Era of
Marijuana Reform, details marijuana arrests from 2010 to
2018 and examines racial disparities at the national, state,
and county levels. Steuben County #1 in NYS for the greatest
racial disparity in marijuana arrests.
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Racial Disparities in Justice
Racial Disparities in the Steuben County Criminal Justice System
Flyer prepared by Quincy Clowe, Corning. Click
here for PDF. Quincy's Letter to the Editor about
systemic racism in Steuben County appeared in the Elmira
Star-Gazette and the Corning Leader on Sunday,
September 27, 2020.
Arrests/Sentencing Comparison by Race
2018
• Black people in Steuben County represented 1% of the population,
9% of the arrests, 14% of the felony arrests, and 22% of the people
sentenced to prison.
• White people in Steuben County represented 94% of the
population, 86% of the arrests, 82% of the felony arrests, and
73% of the people sentenced to prison.
2017
• Black people in Steuben County represented 1% of the population,
9% of the arrests, 13% of the felony arrests, and 24% of the people
sentenced to prison.
• White people in Steuben County represented 94% of the
population, 88% of the arrests, 85% of the felony arrests, and
73% of the people sentenced to prison.
2016
• Black people in Steuben County represented 1% of the population,
9% of the arrests, 13% of the felony arrests, and 26% of the people
sentenced to prison.
• White people in Steuben County represented 94% of the
population, 87% of the arrests, 83% of the felony arrests, and
67% of the people sentenced to prison (New York State, Division
of Criminal Justice Services, 2020).
Marijuana Arrests 2018
• In New York State in 2018, Black people were 2.6 times
more likely to be arrested for marijuana than white people. In
Steuben County, Black people were 19.1 times more likely to be
arrested for marijuana than white people. Steuben county had the
most extreme level of racial disparity in marijuana arrests across
the entire state of New York (American Civil Liberties Union, 2020).
References
Marijuana Arrest Report, American Civil Liberties Union, retrieved
on September 8, 2020, https://graphics.aclu.org/marijuana-arrest-report/NY
Data from New York State, Division of Criminal Justice Services,
retrieved on September 8, 2020, https://www.criminaljustice.ny.gov/crimnet/ojsa/stats.htm
Steuben County ranked number one in NYS for the greatest racial disparity
in marijuana arrests.
From the ACLU report Marijuana Arrests by the Numbers.
Systemic Racism in Steuben County
The following Letter to the Editor by Quincy Clowe from Corning
appeared in the Elmira Star-Gazette and the Corning Leader on
Sunday, September 27, 2020.
The criminal justice system in Steuben County is working as intended
and designed. Police agencies are tunneling people through at their
discretion and control. Punishment is sought and demanded. Communities
of color are disproportionally affected, and Black people are exceptionally
harmed.
A 2020 ACLU report found Black people in New York state were
2.6 times more likely to be arrested for marijuana than white people.
In Steuben County, Black people were 19.1 times more likely to
be arrested for marijuana than white people. Steuben County ranked
number one in the state for the greatest racial disparity in marijuana
arrests. The New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services
reports Black people in Steuben County account for 9% of arrests,
14% of felony arrests, and 22% of those sentenced to prison, despite
comprising 1% of the population. There is no available data for
people who are ticketed, detained without arrest, or stopped and
let go.
With and without intention, police agencies perpetuate repression
of Black people. Systemic racism is inextricably linked to policing
in this community. Racial profiling, police harassment and abuse
are pervasive. The criminal justice system intrinsically functions
this way, and it is working well.
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