Studies Show Dramatic Racial Disparities in Front End of Juvenile Justice System
Source: Annie E. Casey Foundation
Resource Type: Website or Webpage Article
Focus Population: Family Members, Peers/Clients/Consumers, People with Criminal or Juvenile Justice System Involvement, Youth, Transition Age Youth (TAY)
Topics: Criminal or Juvenile Justice System, Crisis Continuum of Care, Trauma-Informed Care
This blog post from the Annie E. Casey Foundation discusses the findings of two peer-reviewed studies that document an alarmingly unequal juvenile justice system, particularly for Black youth. The studies point to systemic responses that result in harsher treatment for youth of color at the front end of juvenile justice. This resource points to diversion—the practice of holding youth accountable without invoking legal sanctions—as one potential path to addressing these stark racial disparities.