There is a disproportionate number of African-Americans in jail compared to nearly every other ethnic minority group, according to research from the North Carolina Department of Correction (NCDC). In North Carolina, there are almost twice as many African-American incarcerated as whites, NCDC research shows, yet three percent more whites are on parole in this state.

"Criminal Justice For African-American: The Great Challenge," will examine the crimes rate among African-Americans and their treatment within the criminal justice system. The program was taped on Sept. 6, 1991 in the Moot Courtroom of the Albert L. Turner Law Building at North Carolina Central University, Durham, NC.

Five nationally recognized experts in criminal justice will assess current crime control strategies, including incarceration, U.S. Supreme Court decisions and sentencing. They will also discuss specific policy options to address crime in the African-American community and crime in general.

Among the issues to be examined are: Is the criminal justice system fair? Are factors such as increased examples of racism in the criminal justice system and the lack of education propelling the African-American community further into crime and degradation?

The mediator for the Black Issues Forum is Valeria Lee, Chair of the University North Carolina Center for Public Television Board of Trustees and Program Development Officer for the Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation.

Dr. Paul Vandergrift, Director of the UNC Center for Public Television's Division of Educative Services, is the series' Executive Producer.

PANELIST:

Dr. Coramae Mann, Program Co-Chairperson of the annual meeting of the Academy of Criminal Justice, Indiana University, Indiana.

Dr. Harvey McMurray, Assistant Professor and Graduate Coordinator of the Criminal Justice Department, North Carolina Central University, Durham, NC.

Dr. Gary Mendez, Executive Director of the National Trust for the American Men.

Dr. Zug G. Standing Bear, Associate Professor of Criminal Justice, Sociology, Anthropology, and Coordinator of the Criminal State College, Georgia.

Captain Glenda Beard, Durham Police Department, Durham, North Carolina and a member of the NC Governor's Crime Commission.