Summery of Animal Dreams by Barbara Kingsolver Essay

The novel begins narrated from the view of a man named Homero, who is also known as ‘Doc Homer’. In the brief chapter he remembers watching his two daughters, sleeping when they were younger. With their mother dead, Homero has had to raise them on his own since they were a young age. The story develops a dual narrative voice, with the second chapter narrated by Codi, the elder daughter who in the present, is in her thirties. Hallie, the younger sister, withdraws from the home she shares with Codi and Carlo in Tucson Arizona, determined to assist the brand-new communist government with crop production in Nicaragua. Codi also departs from Tucson to return to her rustic hometown of Grace, where Doc Homer has developed Alzheimers in his old†¦show more content†¦The older woman of town a.k.a ‘The Stitch and Bitch Club’, take action by going to Tucson selling homemade pià ±atas using feathers of the local peacocks. Codi joins the group and soon involves her classes, as she becomes extremely enthusiastic on the subject. On Christmas, while Codi is visiting Loyd’s family at the Pueblo of Santa Rosalia, Doc Homer gets a call stating that a group that includes Hallie have been abducted by the Contras. Codi develops deep depression and for the next few months eagerly awaits a phone call to tell her that her sister is safe. Unfortunately Codi eventually receives a call that Hallie’s body was found on the side of a road with her hands tied up and a bullet in her head, along with many other victims. She tries to inform Doc of these events but in his weak mental state is lost in his own mind and does not understand the news as he often sees Hallie and Codi as the little girls they once were. Meanwhile, the The Stitch and Bitch Club files a petition and the mine company finally announces that it is shutting down and will also clean up the river. Codi decides to leave Grace as she is extremely confused. After her plane is forced to turn around she gains courage and returns to Grace, where she ho lds a funeral for Hallie. Codi also informs Loyd about the child she miscarried in high school. At the end of the book we see that a year later Doc Homer has passed away, and Codi, still

One Simple Trick for Iliad Essay Topics Unveiled

One Simple Trick for Iliad Essay Topics Unveiled Thus an argument gets necessary. You first have to establish the reason behind your essay, before you're able to write persuasive content about it. If you get a superior thesis, however, generally you'll have the ability to articulate it in 1 sentence. As a way to strongly support the viewpoint you hold about the subject, this argument ought to be absolutely the most convincing bit of evidence. Next, you have to think about the method on how you wish to relay it to your readers. When it is argumentative or informative essays, you must develop a topic that could grab the interest of the reader right away and this isn't such an easy job. There are different ways of writing an essay but the fundamental structure stays the same. Our example essay may also help you to understand how to use various style of writing. The Argument About Iliad Essay Topics This essay is likely to end up being 300 to 600 words, so in case you pick solid examples and make certain you are very clear in your explanations of things, it won't difficult to reach. Furthermore, make an attempt to examine several angles of the problem, any illogical things and negatives you'll have the ability to observe can be turned into your favor. Set your objective first, and after that produce a means to write it in an intriguing manner for your readers to relish. In this way, the reader may also feel the way to be in that specific birthday party. The best speakers know that one of the simplest methods to relax is to learn to breathe properly. No matter the length of time you've had public speaking jobs, take some time and invest to construct your hot list. You should make sure you're very interested in the topic before it's possible to persuade others about it. Some have limited time to read and compose a paper while some simply have the issue of managing well their time and meeting their specified deadlines. There's something intrinsically vital in being there for one another, even if it doesn't benefit us as individuals. You might have to underline the source of the prevailing prejudice in young folks particularly. Different significance of a particular word depends upon the group of individuals who uses it. There are cases which people have variations in regards to interpreting or giving meanings to words. Life, Death, and Iliad Essay Topics In school, essay writing has be en made to be part of our learning activity. Getting access to our example essays is extremely simple and inexpensive. Adhering to these guidelines will allow you to structure your essay effectively and ensure it is personal and original. Sociology essays manage the study of human social behavior in a society, therefore, it is quite interesting for the students who want to know more about human psyche but boring for people who don't like studying their species. There's a lot of great college application essay topics that you're able to select for your paper. Occasionally, selecting a great argumentative essay topics will be quite tough. Choosing fantastic essay topics for middle school needs to be a careful procedure, where a balance must be struck between topics that might be too simplistic, more fit for the key school, and choosing argumentative essay topics that could be too elaborate or controversial. Following are a few of the advised sociology essay topic for those students that are unable to decide on a great topic for their assignment. You're guaranteed the communication essay is going to be that which you've asked for. Incorporating humor in your essay may be a massive benefit. Greatest essay papers ought to be original and plagiarism free. Students are unable to produce a superior parcel of prejudice essays, not because they can't write essays but probably on account of the simple fact that they're unable to create excelle nt titles for essays on prejudice. Moving forward with my essays, there are lots of things that I need to concentrate on. Also, utilize all the scratch paper you require. Your personal ideas and opinions in the paper has to be supported with arguments. You may have to select a suitable topic for your essay paper and you're running short of ideas.

Modeling Definition And The Concepts Of BPM -Myassignmenthelp.COm

Question: Discuss About The Modeling Definition And The Concepts Of BPM? Answer: Introduction An organization is required to undergo Knowledge Audit to know its knowledge capabilities and helps in identifying the gaps between the current knowledge and the strategic objectives of the organization. This report revolves around Eni, which has secured sixth position as an integrated energy firm in the world. The mainly concentrated areas are business model of the organization, its competitive environment, its strategies, its corporate governance system and risk management model. Eni is one of the largest integrated company which focus on energy production, up to down streams. The current system of this enterprise is based on sustainable value creation. It mainly focuses on the business model, strategy and risk management of the organization. Eni operates in a complex environment, to achieve sustainability in its business. But, this sustainability management system is not suitable for this process and it affects the business decisions related to financial, manufacturing, intellectual, social and human areas. Objectives The objective of this report is to help the organization identify its knowledge capabilities, to know whether the key business objectives are met or not to accomplish success. Thus, the business context and current business processes will be researched. The importance of external and internal environment analysis will be determined. Effective tools and techniques will be utilized to accomplish the same. The effective ethical and professional issues with its solution will be provided. The Strategic Plan, SWOT analysis and Knowledge Audit Plan will be discussed. Finally, the relevant ethical and professional issues will be addressed with appropriate solutions. Business Context Sustainability is the main business approach which is used in Eni to achieve economic growth, to enhance the reputation and to create opportunities for the local people. The key drivers of this business model mainly focus on the cooperation, integration, innovation, excellence, inclusion and responsibility. Business Case This business model is mainly based on the analysis of external competitive environment. It also identifies the challenges of the industries and describes the process which are implemented to face the challenges. This distinctive business approach includes the following strategies to enhance its business process: To be local Developing the in-house competences Mitigation of risk and its management Current Business Processes and Problems At present, the organization Eni has a complex environment that is following for achieving business sustainability. The issue is that, the followed sustainability management system is unsuitable for this process. Because, it has negative impact on business decisions in financial, manufacturing, intellectual, social and human departments. Project Management Overview The organization named as Eni is a largest integrated company. It focuses on production of energy, up to down streams. Sustainable value creation is the major concern of the current system, thus it concentrates on the organizations business model, strategy and risk management. This sustainable business uses integrated thinking to consider the relationship between its different functions and operations (Lucidchart.com, 2018). Objectives and Strategies The main strategic guidelines of the organization includes, profitable growth, focusing on the core areas, operation ship, enhancing the downstream operations, leveraging in the flexibility of the asset, focusing on the customers and making partnership with the NOCs. This helps to accomplish the key business objectives for a successful business. Current Business Processes Sustainable value creation is based on the business model which integrates risk management system with the stake holders. This model has different distinctive features including drivers, governance, assets and strategic guidelines (McKinsey Company, 2018). In Scope and Out of Scope Activities The project must be documented and processed well, to view the annual report, sustainability and annual remuneration reports. Decrease the changes based on the allotted budget. Stakeholders The stakeholders of the organization includes, customers, business partners, employees, regulators, local communities, policy makers and suppliers. Roles and Responsibilities The roles and responsibilities of the resources are mentioned as follows: Stakeholders Role: The role of the stakeholders in the organization is to initiate investment, in management, for voting in decision making process and to monitor social and environmental impact of their decisions (Stoval, 2017). Responsibility: The responsibilities are (Philrichardson.co.uk, 2018): To understand the business rationale and to make sure the projects strategy fits well. To have knowledge of the requirements. To show commitment for the required resources. To stay updated about the progress of the project. Provide necessary training. To identify and resolve the problems and risks in the project. Employees Role: To work for meeting the set goals of the organization. Responsibility: To put all their possible efforts and work show their responsibilities in their work (Hill, 2013). Business Analyst Role: The business analysts have various roles as listed below (Villanovau.com, 2018): To assist the case of the business. To develop a plan and to monitor it effectively. To extract the requirements. To organize the extracted requirements. To simplify and manage the requirements with effective communication. Responsibility: The responsibilities of the business analyst are (Josh, 2017): To do presentations related to project, so that the project details are conveyed to all involved in the project. To clearly analyze the business requirements. To gather both functional and non-functional requirements of the project. To help in implementing the project plan and also help in building the team. To resolve problems with effective decisions. To perform acceptance testing. To maintain the operations of the systems Functional Requirements The functional requirements are to make sure all the business processes are working effectively, after the implementation of change. Non-Functional Requirements The non-functional requirements includes to accomplish effective results from the implemented change. Business Process Modelling BPM (Business Process Modelling) is a method to map all the processes of the business, which helps in improving the process. Develop Process Flows and Supporting Diagrams The ides of displaying complex information visually such as flow chart pie chart and visual formats go back much earlier. Most recently, the visual displays are used to simplify the complex philosophical issues by using mind mapping techniques. Business modeling techniques provides a sophisticated and flexible analysis modeling platform that can be used in planning. A clear understanding of the nature and distinctiveness of these business modeling tools may offer educators as yet unrealized and potentially complementary function can aid employee to learn well (Smartdraw.com, 2018). The purpose of mind mapping is to easily understand the concepts of the business modeling. It represents the relationship between the complex diagrams. In Enis case, the mind mapping is used to provide the overall organizations visual representation. Enis case has the following metrics to improve the organization assessment and management: Enis Approach to sustainable value creation. Diffusion of integrated thinking. Enis journey towards integrated reporting. Participation in the IIRC pilot program. Enis 2012 Integrated annual reports All the above factors provide the overall representation of Enis organization. Eni organization was interested to improve the organization assessment and its management (HEFLO EN, 2018). So, organization used new business approach model i.e., integrated thinking. The existing business modelling approach does not achieve organization assets. So, it requires using integrated thinking approach to improve the organizations assets such as human resource, social, environmental, manufactured, intellectual and financial assets. These assets must be improved in the prosed systems. It also improves the internal management system and external communication process for an organization. Organizational Frame The organizational frame includes: Project Management Information Management Sustainability Management Integrated Thinking Strategic Planning Cost Controlling Change management Business Technologies Business Process Modelling Technology is the utilized. Design Principles Business analysts are the facilitators and communicators of the organization. They elicit the requirements of the business and shifts the information to the related team. The ethical and professional issues faced by these business analysts are discussed below: Paralysis in the Analysis Process In this process, the business analyst analyses all the processes of the business model with in a short period of time. Hence, the BA doesnt know where the process starts and where it ends. This over analysis leads to the clarification of the question again and again. Requires confirmation again and again, develops more resources than the requirement. Uncooperative Stakeholders When the stake holders are not cooperative with the business analyst, the business information will not be shared to the Business analyst. Hence, it requires to ask them personally. Undocumented Processes Sometimes, the stake holders will not provide the concrete documentation about the requirements at the early stage. But they will require modifications in the business process. At this situation the business analyst is responsible to get the clear requirement from the stakeholders (HEFLO EN, 2018). Knowledge and Skills The business analyst needs to work with the business and production part of the industry. These two fields are different and it has many areas. Hence, the BA needs to have good knowledge and experience to cope up with the transition. Resolving the Conflicts of Customers When the new approach is implemented in the business model, the business analyst needs to explain the modified approach and resolves the conflicts between them. Accountability for Decisions The instances of current business model needs to be changed to make it more efficient. The customers or stake holders will not approve it voluntarily. At this situations the business analyst should take the decision at the dead end. Environmental Analysis This section projects the required resources and skills for the Organization. The skills are listed below: Project Management Skills Information Management Skills Sustainability Management Skills Integrated Thinking Skills Strategic Planning Skills Cost Controlling Skills The resources are listed below: Stakeholders Employees Business Analyst Business Process Modelling Technology for managing the BPM (Rouse, 2018) (Creately Blog, 2014) Implementation Strategy The implementation strategy is to meet the objective for the organizations sustainability such as: Integration Cooperation Innovation Excellence Inclusiveness and Responsibility Therefore, the above mentioned objectives denote to have clarity and strictness in the governance rules and ethical standards for integrating the corporate risk management system and to have continuous interaction with the companys stakeholders. Organizational Changes required for Collecting New Data Enis journey towards integrated report to provide the year-on-year improvement in company performance depends on the new reporting key performance indicator (KPI). Integrated report requires collecting new data to improve the organizations assets and management. Collected data is used for improving skills, resources and strategic plan, which helps to complete the audit in the future analysis. Thus, KPI helps to accomplish the set goals (Klipfolio.com, 2018). Change and Risk Management Business process modelling is used to represent the organization activities such as analyzed, automated and improved current process. Business process modelling is typically performed by the business analysts. It increases the speed of the operations process and its quality. It also reduces the process cycle time and costs such as, capital costs, material costs, labor costs and scrap costs. In Enis case, the main process modeling includes the existing and proposed approach such as sustainability and integrated thinking. Sustainability business process is used to provide long term value creation (Shethna, 2017). It manages the organization risks such as political, financial and operational risks. But, the company operates the complexity environment, so it does not achieve the sustainability process. So, organization needs to use the integrated thinking to reduce the environment complexity. Both business approaches are based on the key performance indicator, to measure the value to dep ict the growth of the company. The main process modelling diagram is shown below. The Sustainability approach does not satisfy the organizations assets and management. But, integrated thinking approach is used to achieve the economic and financial results. It creates new opportunities to improve the organizations assets and management. Integrated thinking has the two main process such as planning and integrated risk management. The planning process is used to improve and identify the new activities and contribute to sustainable value creations. It also reaches the organization strategic targets. The integrated risk management process is used to define the organization risk management and assessment in an integrated way. It must be considered as the organizations overall risk events that are used to evaluate the risk metrics. It is also use the report and monitoring system to evaluate the overall risks and highlighted the most relevant risks. These two process are used to achieve the organization target and reinforce the long term sustainable value creations. The p roposed approach is integrated thinking, which is used to improve the internal management system and external communication process for an organization. It is as shown below. Risk Analysis and Management The internal environment contains factors that can be controlled and are impacted on the approach and accomplishment of the operation, whereas the external environment contains factors that the organization has no control on, and which can impact on the success of the organization. SWOT analysis is an effective method to determine the internal and external environment of the organization. It determines the core competencies, it decreases the identified threats and weaknesses of the organization, and takes advantage of the determined opportunities and strengths. In the organizations, SWOT analysis also supports in identifying the gaps related to resources. The following is the SWOT analysis of Eni Company: Internal Strengths This section determines the strength of the organization. It is the sixth largest integrated energy company in the world, based on market value. Thus, the company holds strong position in oil and gas value chain, right from hydrocarbon exploration phase to product marketing. It has nearly 78,000 employees. It has net sales of 127 billion, from its operations. It is a part of securing energy supplies, with an integrated business model. It functions for supplying, trading and marketing the natural gas and LN. It works for generating and selling electricity. It aspires to develop its International Oil Company (IOC) both in terms of managing and technological aspects. It is the leading company to distribute petroleum products. It also functions as a leading contractor for engineering, project management, procurement and for construction. Its approach with the shareholders helps to preserve its investments and allows to attain increase in production. This organization has presented excelling results when it comes to exploration and production. Environment prevention steps and activities. It follows mitigating risks. It believes in integrated thinking. It concentrates on constant improvement. Internal Weaknesses This section determines the weaknesses of the organization, which could become even better. Strong competencies and new strategies have become the reason for higher degree of accidents in the processes. For instance, in the improvising the processes, technologies and performance-based contract approach (Aiim.org, 2018). Sustainability increases environmental complexities. External Opportunities This section determines the opportunities for the organization, whose advantage can be gained. Increased profit from the production of oil and gas. The core areas will have stronger competitive status. Can ensure establishing strategic partnership. The production could increase. Increase the flexibility of assets in activity like refinery. Upgrading of network can be profitable for the downstream operations. External Threats This section determines the threats for the organization, which mentions the significant risks to be monitored. The operational risk are considered as the main potential threat for the upstream activities, in environmental, financial and reputational terms. Environmental complexity. Uncertainty in the business market. Knowledge Need Analysis Knowledge Inventory Analysis Knowledge Flow Analysis Knowledge Mapping Determine clear objective for KPI of the company. Make a point to share the KPI with the stakeholders. Based on week or month wise review the KPI of the company. Keep in mind that the KPI should be actionable. The changing business needs must be changed with KPI. Inspect the attainability of KPI. Then, accordingly update the objectives of KPI as required. Select appropriate KPIs, for best KPI best practices in the business. Conclusion It is commended that, any organization must first clearly determine its objectives. Then, knowledge capabilities must be assessed. Further, it must select appropriate KPIs to have best KPI business practices, to lead the organization towards success. It must follow effective strategic plan. Make sure that the strategy must be sound enough to fit between the internal resources like the Strengthen and Weaknesses; and external situations like the Opportunities and Threats. Integrated thinking among the people present in the organization will help in representing their views in broader perspective like the positive results in economic, financial, environmental and society. The problem is identified and resolved. It is observed that the existing business process is based on Sustainability, whereas the proposed business process concentrates on Integrated thinking to decrease the issues related to decision making in the processes like finance, manufacturing, human resource, organizational environmental, intellectual and social processes. Thus, the set objectives are met. The business context and current business processes are researched. The importance of external and internal environment analysis is determined, where the following points are defined - An effective method for determining the internal and external environment of the organization can be considered as SWOT analysis. SWOT analysis is expected to determine the core competencies, then it helps to decrease the threats and weaknesses of the organization, and takes advantage of the determined opportunities and strengths. However, it also helps to identify the gaps related to resources in the organ ization. The effective tools and techniques utilized to accomplish the objectives are CMap software for Mind Mapping and ADONIS software for process modelling. The Strategic Plan, SWOT analysis and Knowledge Audit Plan are discussed and presented. The roles and responsibilities are listed. Hence, the issues was in sustainability where the environment had various complexities. Henceforth, to reduce these complexities integrated thinking approach is proposed. Therefore, relevant ethical and professional issues are addressed with appropriate solutions. References Aiim.org. (2018).What is Business Process Management?. [online] Available at: https://www.aiim.org/What-is-BPM# [Accessed 31 Jan. 2018]. Creately Blog. (2014).Business Process Modeling Tutorial (BPM Guide Explaining Features) - Creately Blog. [online] Available at: https://creately.com/blog/diagrams/business-process-modeling-tutorial/ [Accessed 31 Jan. 2018]. Greenchameleon.com. (2018).How-to Guides. [online] Available at: https://www.greenchameleon.com/gc/guides/ [Accessed 31 Jan. 2018]. HEFLO EN. (2018). Business Process Modeling Definition and the concepts of BPM. [online] Available at: https://www.heflo.com/blog/process-modeling/process-modeling-definition/ [Accessed 31 Jan. 2018]. HEFLO EN. (2018).Strategic business process management in 6 steps. [online] Available at: https://www.heflo.com/blog/bpm/strategic-business-management-process/ [Accessed 31 Jan. 2018]. Hill, B. (2013).What Are the Stakeholders' Roles in a Company?. [online] Smallbusiness.chron.com. Available at: https://smallbusiness.chron.com/stakeholders-roles-company-25029.html [Accessed 31 Jan. 2018]. Josh, S. (2017).Top 10 Responsibilities of a Business Analyst. [online] Zarantech. Available at: https://www.zarantech.com/blog/top-10-responsibilities-business-analyst/ [Accessed 31 Jan. 2018]. Klipfolio.com. (2018).KPI Examples. [online] Available at: https://www.klipfolio.com/resources/kpi-examples#types-of-kpis [Accessed 30 Jan. 2018]. Km.nasa.gov. (2015).Knowledge Audit. [online] Available at: https://km.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2015/11/Knowledge-Audit.pdf [Accessed 31 Jan. 2018]. Lucidchart.com. (2018).Log In. [online] Available at: https://www.lucidchart.com/documents/edit/009cc60c-e4b6-429f-8cc1-101df61298e8# [Accessed 31 Jan. 2018]. McKinsey Company. (2018).Three keys to building a data-driven strategy. [online] Available at: https://www.mckinsey.com/business-functions/digital-mckinsey/our-insights/three-keys-to-building-a-data-driven-strategy [Accessed 31 Jan. 2018]. Nepal, M. (2017). Business Process Management - Definition, Steps Benefits. [online] KiSSFLOW. Available at: https://kissflow.com/bpm/business-process-management-overview/ [Accessed 31 Jan. 2018]. Philrichardson.co.uk. (2018).Stakeholder - Roles and Responsibilities. [online] Available at: https://philrichardson.co.uk/pa450/teamwork/st_role.htm [Accessed 31 Jan. 2018]. PNMsoft. (2016).Business Process Management Platform. [online] Available at: https://www.pnmsoft.com/resources/bpm-tutorial/bpm/ [Accessed 31 Jan. 2018]. Rouse, M. (2018).Business process management (BPM). [online] SearchCIO. Available at: https://searchcio.techtarget.com/definition/business-process-management [Accessed 31 Jan. 2018]. Shethna, J. (2017).10 Effective Steps for Strategic Planning Process. [online] eduCBA. Available at: https://www.educba.com/strategic-planning-process/ [Accessed 31 Jan. 2018]. Smartdraw.com. (2018).Business Process Mapping and Modeling - Tips, Examples, Tutorials, More. [online] Available at: https://www.smartdraw.com/business-process-mapping/ [Accessed 31 Jan. 2018]. Stoval, Q. (2017).Role of Stakeholders in Business. [online] Bizfluent.com. Available at: https://bizfluent.com/info-8154298-role-stakeholders-business.html [Accessed 31 Jan. 2018]. Villanovau.com. (2018).Business Analyst Job Description. [online] Available at: https://www.villanovau.com/resources/business-analysis/business-analyst-job-description/#.WnFh_1SWZdg [Accessed 31 Jan. 2018].

Race Crime Essay Example

Race Crime Essay There have been many studies conducted by both academics and government organisations to gain further insight into the reasons why, when compared to their representation as members of the population as a whole, people from black minority ethnic backgrounds, widely referred to as BME groups, are massively overrepresented in the criminal justice system in England and Wales (Webster, 2007;111). However, Feilzer and Hood have warned that all research has failed to conclusively prove whether different outcomes for minority ethnic people have been due to discrimination or as a result of other factors (Webster, 2007;112). This essay aims to critically account for the disproportionate presence of BME groups in the criminal justice system, in particular the police, the prison service and the courts, exploring possible reasons for the overrepresentation such as social exclusion and socio-economic disadvantage. The essay will also draw comparisons with other countries such as the United States of America and Australia. Criticism of the police and their relationship with BME groups is nothing new, and tensions within British society were exacerbated with the influx of West Indian immigrants in the 1950s. A study conducted in the 1960s compared urban and rural policing and described the negative stereotype that police officers held of members of the black community (Spalek, 2002;77). More recently, the murder of Stephen Lawrence and the subsequent Lawrence Inquiry produced a startling insight into the degree of, what Lord Macpherson termed, institutional racism within the criminal justice system (Macpherson, 1999). Recent statistics from the Ministry of Justice (MJ) illustrate the overrepresentation of BME groups in the criminal justice system. We will write a custom essay sample on Race Crime specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Race Crime specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Race Crime specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer The Ministry of Justice report, Statistics on Race and the Criminal Justice System 2008/2009 (MJ, 2010) highlights some of the substantial differences that exist between the experiences of people from BME groups compared with those from a white background (MJ, 2010). The report illustrates that BME groups are disproportionately represented at every stage of the criminal justice system but specifically in stop and search, arrests and the prison population. However, this is not simply an issue in England and Wales, but reflects problems faced by criminal justice systems in other countries around the world (Bhui, 2009;50). It has been well established by many authors and studies that the use of stop and search powers by the police has been the most controversial issue (Bowling and Phillips, 2003;534) when dealing with the topic of policing minority ethnic communities. Stop and search powers are governed by section 1 of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act (PACE) 1984, which requires the police to have reasonable suspicion. It is this concept that gives rise to concerns about discrimination and racial profiling (Davies et al, 2005;170). People from BME backgrounds are also more likely to be stopped under the stop and search powers of section 60 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994, and are less likely to be given a reason for being stopped (Davies et al, 2005;171). Black and Asian people are 26. 6 and 6. 3 times more likely to be stopped and searched respectively than white people, under Section 60 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 (Townsend, 2010). This is a higher stop and search ratio than that recorded before the publication in 1999 of the Inquiry report into the murder of the black teenager, Stephen Lawrence. Section 60 powers enabled the police to use such stop and search in exceptional circumstances but has subsequently allowed the abuse of such powers through increased stereotyping, further alienating the most affected communities (Townsend, 2010). The report concluded that the overuse of stop and search had created significant mistrust in minority ethnic communities (Travis, 2010), and contributes to the idea that the system is institutionally racist. The Ministry of Justice report found that there has been a 70 per cent rise in BME being stopped and searched over the past 5 years. In England and Wales as a whole it was recorded that 18 people of a white background and 135 of a BME background per 1000 of the population were subject to the use of Stop and Search by the police under section 1 of PACE 1984 (MJ, 2010). The statistics show that under PACE, Black people were 7. 2 times more likely, and Asian people were 2. 1 times more likely to be stopped and searched than white people (MJ, 2010). It could therefore be argued that stop and searches are disproportionately carried out on people from BME backgrounds, under both PACE and the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act. However, there was a large variation in the number of stop and searches throughout England and Wales. In London the number per 1000 of the population was 47 white and 210 black. This variation is a result of several factors. Firstly, 54 percent of the black population of England and Wales live in London, and are therefore more likely to be stopped and searched than any other area. Secondly, 42 percent of all stop and searches are carried out by the Metropolitan Police Service, which only serve 14 percent of the whole population of England and Wales (MJ, 2010). In contrast, there are other areas within England and Wales such as Cumbria and Durham where the rate of stop and searches per 1000 of the population for those from black backgrounds compared to white backgrounds was 0. 7. This means that more white people are stopped and searched per 1000 of the population than black people (MJ, 2010). Findings from the report Offending, Crime and Justice Survey 2003-06 suggested that an individuals ethnic group was not significantly associated with increased or reduced likelihood of offending (MJ, 2010). It is however, believed that BME communities are considered to be suspect populations (Webster, 2010;95) with the tendency for black and Asian communities to receive greatly inferior treatment by the police, leading to their involvement with the criminal justice system. Similar to the stop and search statistics, people from BME groups experienced more arrests per 1000 of the population than people of white backgrounds, and black people were 3. 3 times more likely to get arrested than white people (MJ, 2010). However, Phillips and Browns study in 1998 found that of the cases that went to the Crown Prosecution Service, the proportions that were terminated were 27 per cent for Asians, 20 per cent for black people and 12 per cent for white people (Bhui, 2009;35). This strongly suggests that black and Asian people were more likely to be arrested and charged without sufficient evidence to prosecute. Despite the conviction rates being substantially higher for white people compared to those from BME groups (MJ, 2010) in 2008, the percentage of white adults sentenced to immediate custody for indictable offences was under 29 percent, while BME groups ranged from 42 to 52 percent (MJ, 2010). This higher percentage is not necessarily due to discrimination, but rather a number of other factors, such as the seriousness of the offence committed, mitigating or aggravating factors and whether or not the defendant pleads guilty. Research has shown that people from BME backgrounds are more likely to plead not guilty, and hence be tried in a Crown court (MJ, 2010). In fact 48 per cent of black offenders plead not guilty compared to 30 per cent of white offenders. If offenders are found guilty after pleading not guilty, they are often given heavier and longer sentences (Marsh et al, 2010;178) and this may be a reason why there are more black offenders in prison. Although people from BME backgrounds account for less than 11 per cent of the British population, they account for a much higher proportion of the prison population. On the 30th June 2009, 20 percent of prisoners identified themselves as being from BME groups (MJ, 2010). The total prison population excluding foreign nationals has experienced increased numbers from all ethnic backgrounds since 2005, but most notably from Asian and Mixed groups. Those from a white ethnic background had the smallest increase (MJ, 2010). The result of such overrepresentation of people from BME backgrounds, in particular black people, is that there are some prisons in the south east of England that are now virtually all black (Ramesh, 2010). The disproportionate presence of people from BME groups could mean one of two things. People from BME groups may be discriminated against at the point of entry into the criminal justice system and this subsequently continues to the point of imprisonment. Alternatively, the groups are actually more involved in crime than others for reasons particular to that group (Hale et al, 2009;419). It is of common belief that the true answer lies somewhere between the two theories, yet self report studies have indicated that white people commit just as much or even more crime than those from BME groups (Kalunta-Crumpton, 2010). Evidence from several studies has shown that there are three overarching causes for the overrepresentation of BME groups in the Criminal Justice System, all of which compound each other. Firstly, social exclusion is a longstanding primary cause (House of Commons; Home Affairs Committee (HC), 2007). Secondly, factors specific to the black community such as family patterns and cultures amongst black people, both fuel and compound socio-economic deprivation. Thirdly, the structure and the way the criminal justice system operates mean more young BME people come into contact, and stay in contact, with the system (HC, 2010). There is considerable racial inequality in the criminal justice system with a massive underrepresentation of people from BME backgrounds in judiciary and court positions (Marsh et al, 2010;179). A recent report by the Ministry of Justice found that, as of April 2009 in the courts based judiciary, a mere 4. 5 per cent of judges were from BME backgrounds, and represented just 3 of the 163 High Court judges (MJ, 2010). This is a point that was highlighted in the Lawrence Inquiry, and in particular the failure of the police service to recruit minority ethnic officers. Recommendation 65 of the Lawrence Report stated that the police service ought to develop more initiatives to increase the number of minority ethnic recruits (Bhui, 2009;54). Despite such attempts to recruit more people from BME groups, the police force is still a predominantly white institution with only 4. 4 percent of officers in post coming from a BME background (Hansard, 2010), and this is reflected in the feelings of people from BME groups. A study conducted by Shute et al showed that one fifth of black defendants felt that their treatment had been influenced by racial bias (Marsh et al, 2010). Of the black and Asian defendants who thought that they had been given longer custodial sentences, over half put it down to their ethnicity rather than what they had done or said in court (Marsh et al, 2010), indicating the feeling amongst people from BME groups that institutional racism still exists within the criminal justice system. Such thoughts of institutional racism within the criminal justice system were again identified with the tragic incident in March 2000 when Zahid Mubarek, a 19 year old Asian prisoner at Feltham young offender institution, was murdered by a cell mate with a history of racist and violent behaviour (Nacro, 2003). It is regarded that social exclusion is the key reason for the overrepresentation of ethnic minorities within the criminal justice system. BME groups are socially and economically disadvantaged compared with white people and are more likely to come to police attention (Bhui, 2009;34). This socio-economic disadvantage stretches back to the post-war period when the first settlers from the Caribbean were forced into ghettoes because of racial prejudice and restricted access to accommodation, resulting in them being stacked in deprived areas where schools were substandard, employment opportunities were minimal and long-term prospects to hold the family together were limited (HC, 2010). It is believed that the disproportional presence of ethnic minorities has arisen due to the idea that policing bares down more heavily on those that frequent public spaces more often (Maguire et al, 2007;437). This happens to be black and Asian people as they are still subjected to high rates of unemployment, homelessness and nocturnal shift work. It is noted that 80 per cent of black African and black Caribbean communities live in particularly deprived, high crime urban areas such as Neighbourhood Renewal Fund areas (Bhui, 2009;32). It is the combination of all of these factors that place such individuals at greater risk of being stopped and searched (Maguire et al, 2007;437). The House of Commons Home Affairs Committee found that in 2007, all the minority ethnic groups within the black category are consistently below the national average across all Key Stages, at GCSE and equivalent and Post-16. At GCSE and equivalent, 45 per cent of black Caribbean pupils, and 51 per cent of black African pupils achieved 5 or more A*-C grades compared to 57 per cent nationally (HC, 2007). The committee concluded that the failure of the education system to educate our black boys provides a breeding ground for disaffection that undoubtedly leads many to seek alternative means to obtain a good standard of living or gain respect from their peers (HC, 2007). Conversely, the recent report How Fair is Britain produced by the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC), shows that ethnic differences are narrowing at GCSE level, except for the top two highest performing groups; Chinese and Indian (EHRC, 2010). Educational underachievement is fed by rates of exclusion, which is higher for black young people than any other ethnic group. The 2006 Department for Education Skills (DfES) report shows that 9. 6 per cent of black Caribbean young people had had a fixed period exclusion compared with a national average for all pupils of 5 per cent (DfES, 2006). Excluded young people, regardless of ethnicity, are twice as likely to commit offences as children in mainstream school according to the Youth Justice Boards (YJB) survey completed by MORI. In a recent survey 23 per cent of young people in mainstream school said they had committed an offence in the last 12 months, while 60per cent of excluded young people say they had committed an offence over the same period (YJB, 2009). This is a clear indication that young black people are more likely to be excluded from school, and subsequently more likely to offend. Asian children on the other hand had the lowest exclusion rates, followed by children with one white and one Asian parent (EHRC, 2010). The success of Asian children in education ties in with their low offending rates. Such traits have traditionally been explained as the result of strong informal controls said to inhere in Asian culture and family life (Webster, 2010;97). In 2007, at a time of growing gun and knife crime, former Prime Minister Tony Blair, insisted that we needed to stop pretending it was a problem for the general population (Blair, 2007), but rather an issue for the black community to resolve (Hale et al, 2009). This idea has been reaffirmed in statistics such as the figures from Operation Trident, a Metropolitan Police Service operation intended to deal with shootings among black people living in London in 2006. The operations findings detailed in the Home Affairs Committee report showed that, of all the firearms homicides and shootings in 2006 in London, 75 per cent of victims and 79 per cent of suspects were black (HC, 2010). These statistics reflect the idea that the majority of offending by people from minority ethnic backgrounds is intra-racial. It was also found that the boroughs with the highest firearms offences such as Hackney and Lambeth had the highest density of black population in London, as well as being some of the most deprived (HC, 2010). Furthermore, recent research in the UK suggests that homicide rates are associated with levels of poverty and deprivation (HC, 2010). It is this level of involvement and overrepresentation that is the greatest cause for concern for some sections of black and minority ethnic communities. The Director of Equalities and Policing at the Greater London Authority, Lee Jasper said of the situation we have, quite literally, a crisis in the black community among our young black people (HC, 2010). Self report studies ask some general questions about the respondents social and economic situation and then they are asked to describe any offences that they have committed. This technique relies solely upon the honesty of interviewees to reveal their offending behaviour. Self report surveys have produced controversial findings and in particular have suggested that race differences usually observed in official records are either absent or much reduced (Bowling and Phillips, 2002;99). The 2003 Offending, Crime and Justice Study found that in actual fact, white respondents were more likely than black or Asian respondents to say that they had offended (Bhui, 2009;32). The findings of such studies have indicated that the dark figure of crime is more likely to be committed by white people than those from BME backgrounds (Kalunta-Crumpton, 2010). In Australia, they face a slightly different issue, in that the indigenous population of Aboriginals and Torres Strait Islander people are massively overrepresented in the justice system, and it is a result of historical discrimination, over-regulation and unfair treatment (Australian Law Reform Commission, 2006). Indigenous people make up 2. 5 per cent of the population in Australia, yet in 2008 they accounted for 29. 3 per cent and 24. 1 per cent of the female and male prisoners respectively (Bartels, 2010); a rate 17 times higher than that for non-indigenous people (Australian Institute of Criminology, 2010). These figures varied throughout the different territories of Australia. For example, in Victoria, Indigenous people accounted for 6 per cent of the prison population, much lower but still overrepresented compared to their presence in the general population. In the Northern Territories however, the situation is much worse, with Indigenous people representing 83 per cent of the prison population. This is a startling illustration of the massive overrepresentation of Indigenous population in the criminal justice system. One explanation considered by some authors such as Bartels, is that the Indigenous population is significantly younger than the non-indigenous population. A census in 2006 found that the median age for both Indigenous and Non-Indigenous populations was 21 and 37 respectively (Australian Government, 2008), and thus a reason for the high number of Indigenous people coming into contact with the criminal justice system. In the United States of America, they face a similar if not more extreme situation than in Britain and most Western European countries. The Washington DC based research group, The Sentencing Project reported that today there are more African American men in prison and jail than in college (Walker et al, 2007;xiii). Despite black people only representing 12 per cent of the United States population, nearly half of all prisoners in the USA are African-American (Webster, 2007), and it is predicted that nearly one third of African-American males born today will go to prison (Ramesh, 2010). The US Justice Department have released statistics that suggest approximately 40 to 45 per cent of the US prison population is black (Ramesh, 2010), and that black people represent 31 per cent of arrests and 37 per cent of all violent arrests. Walker et al concluded in The Color of Justice, that the US criminal justice system is contextually discriminatory, in that discrimination does occur within certain parts of the system but not all parts, all of the time (Walker et al, 2007;419). The recent statistics from the Ministry of Justice paint a very clear picture as to the substantial differences that exist between the experiences of BME groups compared with white people, and in particular the experiences of black people. The central problem with the disproportionate presence of ethnic minorities in the criminal justice system is their under-representation in criminal justice professions coupled with their overrepresentation as suspects, defendants and prisoners (Newburn, 2007). Longstanding tension between the police and ethnic minorities still plays a significant part in the discrimination of ethnic minorities and is demonstrated in such documentaries as The Secret Policeman (Daly, 2003), highlighting that racism within the police force still occurs. Although many positive steps have been taken to eliminate institutional racism within the police force since the Lawrence Inquiry, there is still more that needs to be done. The police are not the only institution criticised of being discriminatory, with the Prison service also displaying such traits. It could be argued that the criminal justice system as a whole is still considered institutionally racist. Minority ethnic communities around the world are suffering from the same issues faced by those in England and Wales. The Australian prison population figures illustrate the startling discrimination the indigenous population of Australia face. The United States of America have a justice system described as contextually discriminatory (Walker et al, 2007;419), with an increasing population of black prisoners, many of which have committed violent or drug related offences. Despite numerous studies by academics and government departments, it has been considered that all research has failed to conclusively prove whether the disproportionate presence of people from minority ethnic backgrounds in the criminal justice system is through discrimination or other factors (Webster, 2007). It would appear however, that BME groups are most definitely overrepresented at every stage of the criminal justice system. From the findings of self report studies it can be inferred that the overrepresentation of ethnic minorities is not a result of disproportionate offending, but rather a combination of different factors. Similarly, the issue is not one solely of institutional racism within the criminal justice system. Unfortunately people from minority ethnic backgrounds live in the most deprived urban areas, with the highest crime rates, and therefore are undoubtedly over-policed. Young people from BME backgrounds are consistently underachieving in education and are almost twice as likely to have a fixed period of exclusion compared to the national average, and subsequently twice as likely to offend. Upon being charged for an offence, people from BME backgrounds are more likely to plead not guilty, and hence tried in the Crown court, where if found guilty, will receive a heavier sentence. It is the compounded effect of these factors that are the major cause of the disproportionate presence of ethnic minorities within the criminal justice system, and without addressing these issues first and foremost, their presence will simply increase.