New report on "Race and Incarceration in Delaware"

A new study entitled "Race and Incarceration in Delaware: A Preliminary Consideration" (available here) provides a sobering view of the scope of imprisonment and its racial dynamics in the First State.  This article provides a summary of the report, and here are some passages from the report's preface:

The United States has world’s highest incarceration rate. Delaware, the second smallest state, enjoys the dubious distinction of having one of the highest incarceration rates of any of the 50 states in America. More important, the scales of justice in Delaware weigh far more heavily on African Americans than similarly situated Whites....

In Delaware, Blacks represent:

• 20% of the general population;
• 42% of those arrested for criminal offenses;
• 64% of the prison population; and
• 86.8% of those incarcerated for drug offenses.

This is not, as many assume, attributable to a higher incidence of criminal behavior among Blacks. The national data shows that Non-whites are statistically more likely to be imprisoned because they are more likely to be arrested than Whites.  Much of this appears to be attributable to the "war on drugs." Studies have consistently shown that Whites use drugs at rates comparable to Blacks, which makes them the vast majority of illicit drug users.  White drug dealers far outnumber Black dealers.  Yet, of those incarcerated for drug charges in Delaware, Blacks represent 86.8 percent of those sentenced to prison terms for drug offenses.