NCJ Number
245023
Journal
Crime and Delinquency Volume: 59 Issue: 1 Dated: February 2013 Pages: 115-139
Date Published
February 2013
Length
25 pages
Annotation
This study examined the extent to which U.S. juvenile justice systems have been successful in reducing disproportionate minority confinementspecifically, disproportionate African-American incarceration.
Abstract
Beginning in fiscal year 1994, the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention included, as a requirement for a State to receive Federal Formula Grants, the determination of whether disproportionate minority confinement existed in its juvenile justice system, the identification of its causes, and the development and implementation of corrective strategies. The current study examined the extent to which U.S. juvenile justice systems have been successful in reducing disproportionate minority confinementspecifically, disproportionate African-American incarcerationsince the implementation of the office's initiative. The findings suggest that, on average, there has been a reduction of nearly one fifth in the disproportionate Black:White ratio of juvenile placements, controlling for the groups' rate of arrests during the past decade. Abstract published by arrangement with Sage Journals.