ABSTRACT
The results of this study may be summarized as follows: Blacks are overrepresented in the awarding of Articles 15 (Hypothesis 1), although that phenomenon seems to be site and offense specifi c (Hypothesis 2). In two of the sites overrepresentation of blacks was found, in the third, it was not. Such site totals tell only part of the story. More interesting are the different offense patterns. Blacks were overrepresented in crimes against persons, property, alcohol, and confrontations with authority. They were underrepresented in drug-related offenses (Hypothesis 3). This is different from the civilian situation where the “war against drugs” has resulted in very high percentages of blacks being incarcerated for such offenses. The difference is, however, easily explained.
