Dawn Butler MP, Shadow Minister for Diverse communities, commenting on David Lammy MP’s independent review into race and the criminal justice system said:

“ I congratulate David Lammy and all those who have contributed to this important report. It suggests that there is a serious problem in the criminal justice system. There are many areas which need to be investigated.  For instance poor people do not receive good representation in our legal system and the introduction of tribunal fees and the decimation of legal aid contributes greatly to an already unjust system.

"We need a comprehensive approach to the criminal justice system from policing to judges to better community solutions. How, for example, do we create opportunities for African-Caribbean Asian and ethnic minorities to encourage them back to work after they have been released from prison? This would greatly reduce reoffending.
Being both black and poor guarantees that you will be treated more harshly than any other group. What has surprised me in this interim report is the harsh sentencing given to women. I look forward to the continuation of this work and the conclusions of the final report.”

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