Identifying Disproportionality Report

In 2017 The Lammy Report was published following a national review, led by David Lammy MP, into the treatment of and outcomes for Black, Asian and other minoritised individuals in the Criminal Justice System (CJS).

In 2019, following the publication of that report, the Police and Crime Commissioner and Chief Constable in Avon and Somerset at the time, Sue Mountstevens OBE and Andy Marsh QPM, commissioned a local independent review, chaired by Desmond Brown, a person who had been at the forefront of racial inequality activism and campaigning in our area.

Desmond Brown led the local deep dive into the statistics, policies and processes of CJS agencies in relation to racial disproportionality.

The local review iused a data focused investigation to identify disproportionality in order to take the approach of explain or reform of CJS processes impacting race disparity across the Avon and Somerset Criminal Justice Board partners.

The aim is to effect changes in processes in five key areas including stop and search, youth offending, out of court disposals, prisons and HR recruitment, retention and progression as well as a focus on the separate work of the judiciary.

The Chair hopes the report will act as a catalyst for change by creating a baseline in identifying the biggest areas of disparity across the CJS partner agencies in Avon and Somerset and lead to the creation of an innovative shared data review mechanism within those agencies, to ensure a legacy of continued partnership scrutiny and reform.