This document uses a case-study approach to examine the current state of data collection and reporting related to Tribal youth in Minnesota’s juvenile justice system.
This data scan examines the current state of data collection and reporting on Tribal youth involvement in Minnesota’s juvenile justice system. It addresses the gap in availability of comprehensive, accurate, and consistent data on Native youth in the justice system, noting impacts on effective policymaking, program design, and the ability to track outcomes and needs of Tribal youth. The authors focus on a single state, Minnesota, in order to develop a manageable and replicable search strategy that allows for a deeper examination of data pathways and the refinement of a methodology that can be adapted for broader national studies. The data scan was guided by key questions, including the number of incarcerated Native youth, types of offenses, age ranges, length of detention, and tracking of Tribal affiliation by juvenile detention centers (JDCs). The research focused on secure as well as non-secure detention facilities, regional and county JDCs, and state-operated Minnesota Correctional Facility—Red Wing. Key findings include the following: the average age of detained Native youth was 15.74 years, with 17 being the most common age at intake; the length of detention varied greatly, with most youth having short stays but a small subset having an average stay of 46.46 days; most JDCs do not systematically track or document Tribal affiliations; and JDCs generally lack formal, standardized policies for notifying Tribes about detained Native youth. The document concludes with some recommendations for how to improve data collection, interagency collaboration, and the development of polices that better serve Tribal youths’ needs.