A new report from researchers at the University of Nebraska-Omaha shows that Black Nebraskans are far more likely to be arrested and placed behind bars than residents of other races.
. The report also shows that the Black people are significantly underrepresented among defendants receiving diversion or intervention services rather than jail time.
A review of data from 2014-19 shows Black accounted for 19% of all arrests in Nebraska during those 5 years even though they make up only 5% of the state’s population.
The study found that at state and federal correctional facilities, Black inmates made up 25% of the population – 5 times their percentage of the state population as a whole.