ABSTRACT
This chapter describes the extent of Native American involvement in crime. Arrest rates are usually used to determine the amount of lawbreaking activity engaged in by any particular ethnic group. Native Americans have the highest rates for all offenses, alcohol-related offenses, and non-alcohol-related offenses. Most articles compare arrest rates for African Americans (Blacks), Whites, and Native Americans. The Native American rate is about twice that of Whites but is higher than either of the other groups' rates for alcohol-related and substance-abuse offenses. Crime rates are simple calculations that relate the amount of crime o the population that can generate crime. The crime rate is expressed as the number of crimes per 100,000 population. S. Harring, using Bureau of Indian Affairs data, estimates that the Uniform Crime Reports could be missing up to 50 percent of Native American arrests. Native Americans do have relatively high arrest rates for all crimes and for violent and property crimes when compared to White Americans.
