Issues: Race
Children of color are more likely to be arrested and are treated more harshly in the juvenile justice system than their white peers. This is true even when factors like poverty are considered and even though kids of all races engage in similar behavior.
Resources
The Color of Justice
Guide to the informational forums we designed to accompany the CPTV documentary. Watch the video, host a forum or take action.
PowerPoint on DMC
Presentation outlining CTJJA’s legislative priorities on disproportionate minority conduct. POWERPOINT, 744 KB
State actions on racial disparity in juvenile justice
Data on the state’s efforts to address disproportionate minority contact (DMC) with the juvenile justice system. PDF
A Second Reassessment of Disproportionate Minority Contact in Connecticut’s Juvenile Justice System
A 2009 summary of various studies conducted across the nation on disproportionality and disparate treatment of racial and ethnic minority youth in the juvenile justice system. PDF, 623 KB
America’s Invisible Children:
Latino Youth and the Failure of Justice
In response to the recent attention on youth of color in the justice system, the Justice Policy Institute has released a fact sheet that dispels the myth that youth of color commit more crimes than white youth. PDF, 1.3 MB
Justice Policy Institute Fact Sheet on Crime and Race
In response to the recent attention on youth of color in the justice system, the Justice Policy Institute has released a fact sheet that dispels the myth that youth of color commit more crimes than white youth. MS WORD, 51.5 KB
CFYJ Policy Brief: Critical Condition:
African-American Youth in the Justice System (9/08)
A policy brief from the Campaign for Youth Justice released on September 25, 2008 reviews the current state of inequalities facing African- American youth in the juvenile and criminal justice systems, and provides examples of promising solutions and policy recommendations to reduce the disparities. PDF, 1.9 MB
Disproportionality Breakthrough Series
Casey Family Programs Breakthrough Series Collaborative on Reducing Disproportionality and Disparate Outcomes for Children and Families of Color in the Child Welfare System PDF, 201 KB
Justice Cut Short: An Assessment of Access to Counsel and Quality of Representation in Delinquency Proceedings in Ohio
This study – the sixth in a series of juvenile defense state assessments by the American Bar Association Juvenile Justice Center – states that the Ohio juvenile justice system suffers from a lack of resources and other systemic barriers. The study also points out that African-American youth appear to be among those who are pushed into the system in largely disproportionate numbers. To obtain the Virginia, Louisiana, Georgia, Texas or Kentucky reports, visit the ABA Juvenile Justice Center site. PDF, 1.28 MB
Action
Consider hosting a Color of Justice forum. We’ve got toolkits to guide you through having an empowering conversation in your community about kids, race and justice. The toolkit also includes concrete action steps that anyone can take.