Sep 28, 2007
You know that statistic about there being more Black men in prison than in college?
It appears that it’s not true:
A clear example is a 2001 Justice Policy Institute report stating the number of Black men in prison (791,600) was higher than the number of Black men in college (603,000). However, the study was reported by media outlets without a key stat. The number of college-age (18-24) African-American men attending college was higher than the number of incarcerated men from the same age group. The Justice Policy study included incarcerated men ages (18-55), which provided a larger sample group. In using the larger sample group, the data showed more Black men in prison than in college.According to the Status Report on Minorities in Higher Education and the Department of Justice: Bureau of Justice statistics — In 2000, there were more than 469,000 African-American college-age (18-24) men enrolled in college, while 114,400 college-age men were in prison.
I found this information by following a series of links from this Washington Post article: A Filmmaker’s Attempt To Peel Off the Labels: “What Black Men Think” Tackles Stereotypes
Here’s the Amazon link for the guy’s movie: What Black Men Think
The more accurate ratio, by the way, looks to be 4:1 for Black men ages 18-24 in college versus Black men ages 18-24 in prison.
9 Comments, Comment or Ping
Scott
Thanks for the research link, Rudy. I’d be curious how that 4:1 ratio compares for college age men in each ethnic group - whites, latinos, native american, asian, etc.
Sep 29th, 2007
Bill Ekhardt
Much appreciated information, Rudy. Thanks for passing it on.
Sep 30th, 2007
Kathy
Great find. I wish that word would get out more…it could help quash some racism and inspire young men.
Oct 1st, 2007
bookworm
I wonder how many of the students are enrolled in a 4 year college?
Has the # of AA college stdents increased or decreased over past x years (compare with incarceration rates for same years)?
Oct 2nd, 2007
A Black Sister
Then why are there more black brothers in prison than white men?
Oct 26th, 2007
A Black Sister
^The funny thing about this inquiry is that when I asked this question, this is a reply I get. Well I know for a fact if statistics had a heart and would tell the truth Black men are being exterminated
and are being enslaved in these prisons.
When white men get locked up in jail for greater charges, they are given a slap on the wrist and let back out, but our men are set up in the system and sent off too prison, explain this, but remember you are not dealing with no dummy!
Oct 26th, 2007
Demico Boothe
I am the author of the new book “WHY ARE SO MANY BLACK MEN IN PRISON?” It IS TRUE that there are more Black men in prison than college.
You are using government statistics that do not count heads but utilize “methods” of counting as well as flat out false numbers. Excuse me if I do not trust all of the info that the government puts out, especially with regards to Black folks. I grew up under COINTELPRO. Do this: Name me ONE college in this country that is comprised of majority Black males. Don’t just quote slanted government statistics. I can name you hundreds of prisons and jails with 95% Black male occupancy. And the statistics you give here are not even the real statistical numbers. The government actually just put out a report that says the opposite.
The bottom line is, can you name me just ONE college out of the hundreds of colleges in America with a majority Black male population? If not, don’t argue on this point because you sound ridiculous. That is one of the sort of right-wing tactics (slickly decreasing the “hot” statistical sample utilizing semantics and hidden margins) to confuse the direness of the situation by talking about “college age Black men” rather than Black men. Did you know that their supposed sample includes 2 year trade schools THAT REALLY AREN’T COLLEGES OR UNIVERSITIES, which explains why supposedly over 60% of those “in college Black males” reside off-campus and not on-campus according to their own stats! THERE ARE MORE BLACK MEN IN PRISON THAN COLLEGE. That is a fact. I can name you hundreds of prisons that have majority Black male populaces. I know it sounds ugly, but it’s the hard truth. Dr. Alvin P. is really just trying to counter certain negative well-known facts with a positive spin with hopes, I believe, of minimizing some of the negative stereotypes that come with them. I applaud his effort, but on this issue he is doing it at the cost of the truth.
Feb 8th, 2008
L.BOOGIE
yeah, i believe it. more black men in prison than college & its all thanks to RAP music!
Feb 29th, 2008
Mark Anthony
Demico,
Address this, then: If there are x number of black men in prison that represents a percentage of all living black men over 18, then while your stat might be accurate as stated, is it useful? Wouldn’t a more useful comparison be to see how many men over 18 have ever been to college? And wouldn’t we want to compare that number to how many black men over 18 have ever been to prison? Would that be more statistically useful? And in reverse, isn’t it more useful to compare how many men within the normative college age are in prison versus in college? Don’t you see the reasonableness of that approach?
~ Mark
Mar 17th, 2008
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