ABSTRACT
This chapter will examine the manner in which accusations of racism and sexism made against agencies operating within the criminal justice process have been addressed.
Specifi cally, this chapter:
• considers the background to, and the content of, the 1981 Scarman Report and its subsequent impact on the police service;
• discusses accusations of racial injustice levelled against other agencies in the criminal justice process;
• evaluates the background to, and content of, Sir William Macpherson’s 1999 report;
• analyses the implementation of the recommendations put forward by Sir William Macpherson;
• identifi es the impact made by the Macpherson Report on the operations of a number of agencies within the criminal justice process;
• considers impediments to the progress of the reforms proposed in the Macpherson Report, devoting particular attention to the police service;
• evaluates the extent to which the concept of equality of opportunity applies to women employed by agencies within the criminal justice system;
• analyses the manner in which the criminal justice system treats women as victims of crime;
• examines key issues related to social class and the criminal justice system.
