Standard non-custodial approaches have often been designed for mainstream White, male, and mentally stable offenders, with little attention to minority groups. This chapter considers the extent to which minority offender groups are over-represented in the prison population, the evidence for differential criminogenic needs across these offender groups, and the limited research evidence on both the relevance and effectiveness of non-custodial approaches for these offender groups. The chapter is based upon a systematic review of the main English-language journal article databases, the Home Office Research, Development and Statistics Web site, and Home Office publications under section 95 of the Criminal Justice Act 1991. The evidence indicates that difference and diversity have a significant role in the differential experience of minority groups in the criminal justice system. Notes, references