Black People Are Disproportionately Jailed in Multnomah County

A host of factors contribute to the skewed rates at Multnomah County Jail.

By Beth Slovic

Stories worth knowing. Reporting worth supporting. Willamette Week's biggest fundraiser of the year is underway. Help fund independent reporting that is free for everyone.

Give today. Keep the stories coming.

Support WW.

Multnomah County recently put a magnifying glass to its jails.

What officials found, using a grant from the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, wasn't entirely shocking: African-Americans are six times more likely to be in jail than their white peers.

A host of factors contribute to the disproportionality.

Blacks are 4.1 times more likely than whites to have a probation violation result in a jail stay, according to a county report.

Blacks are 7.5 times more likely than whites to have a parole violation result in a jail stay.

Read the full report here.

Willamette Week

Explore more on:

Multnomah County Jailracial disparity

Beth Slovic

Beth Slovic

Beth Slovic joined Willamette Week as a staff writer in 2006, returning in 2014 after a three-year hiatus. She covers politics, immigration and more.

Willamette Week reports the stories worth knowing, from City Hall to the people and places shaping Portland.

Help keep the stories coming by supporting WW on Give!Guide.

Support WW.