An investigation into minority ethnic prisoners' knowledge and perceptions of the Probation and Prison Service in the east of England

This article presents the key findings of an investigation into minority ethnic prisoners' knowledge and perceptions of the Probation and Prison Services in the east of England. The first part of the article puts this study into disciplinary context by examining relevant and topical research and debate about minority ethnic service users' experiences and treatment within the criminal justice system. Most notably perceptions and opinions of minority ethnic service users are limited. However accounts of discrimination and racism within elements of the criminal justice system provide a useful springboard to understand and collect much awaited data in this area. The final part of the article summarises the key findings of this investigation and goes on to make useful recommendations to the service providers in terms of developing and establishing effective race relations in the shape of policy development, consequent action and for further investigative studies of this nature.