That's a great question, and I appreciate the opportunity to speak to this further.
Yes, perceptions of injustice are now being explored to be considered as a criminogenic factor. There's a perception of a level of unfairness, particularly for Black youth. When you look at every social indicator, the Black population is at the lowest levels of employment, income, housing and health, as we are seeing now with COVID-19.
There really is a sense of alienation and hopelessness within the Black community. As a result of these perceptions of injustice, when it comes to policing—and we're now discussing more about systemic racism within policing—there's a sense that society is unfair.
As a result, some youth may develop pro-crime attitudes. This increases and puts them at a vulnerability, because if they do not trust the police, who are meant to serve and protect them, there's a chance they will develop self-help strategies. They may engage in criminogenic behaviours when it it comes to carrying weapons for protection, or developing their own sense of vigilante justice, because they do not believe that police will be on their side or protect them when in need.
This is an area that I am looking to explore further. I believe it is something that we need to explore, because even with a criminal record, it creates an additional barrier to achieve many of the social factors that lead to mobility. As a result, there is an extreme sense of alienation within the Black community, particularly with some Black youth.