NCJ Number
213599
Date Published
2001
Length
51 pages
Annotation
This paper discusses the problem of disproportionate minority confinement and identifies practical solutions for making changes in the juvenile justice system.
Abstract
Strategies, policies, and programs are presented that have been successfully implemented by juvenile justice practitioners and community members to reduce the disproportionate numbers of minority youth in confinement. While not an exhaustive review of all existing programs, the paper provides strategies and ideas for a range of juvenile justice practitioners, from law enforcement and probation officers to prosecutors and judges. Strategies described include community oriented policing, cultural awareness education and training, Latina and African-American advocates for offenders, the development of clear criteria for eligible detention offense categories, and accelerated intake programs to reduce processing times for juvenile offenders. Prosecutors are advised to develop written, objective criteria for charging decisions, transfer decisions, and sentencing recommendations. Judges are urged to take an active role in the development of alternative placement options and less restrictive release options for juveniles. Also discussed in this paper are the extent and the possible causes of minority overrepresentation in the juvenile justice system and juvenile detention. One of the main conclusions of a myriad of research projects concerning this topic is that the differential incarceration rate of minority youth cannot be explained solely by their greater involvement in violent crime. Indeed, the position of most experts in this field is that the disproportionate rates of arrest and incarceration of minority groups is due to economic, family, and community factors, as well as the decisionmaking process of the juvenile justice system. It is only through combining strategies that address all of these issues that the country will realize a decrease in the rate of juvenile minority confinement. Footnotes