How Universal Is Disproportionate Minority Contact? An Examination of Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Juvenile Justice Processing Across Four States

2020 ◽  
Vol 37 (5) ◽  
pp. 817-841 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steven N. Zane ◽  
Daniel P. Mears ◽  
Brandon C. Welsh
Keyword(s):  
Juvenile Justice ◽  
Ethnic Disparities ◽  
Racial And Ethnic Disparities ◽  
Disproportionate Minority Contact

School Strictness and Disproportionate Minority Contact

2016 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 241-259 ◽  
Author(s):  
Miner P. “Trey” Marchbanks ◽  
Anthony A. Peguero ◽  
Kay S. Varela ◽  
Jamilia J. Blake ◽  
John Major Eason
Keyword(s):  
Juvenile Justice ◽  
School Discipline ◽  
Ethnic Disparities ◽  
Suburban Schools ◽  
Racial And Ethnic Disparities ◽  
Disproportionate Minority Contact ◽  
Discipline Practices ◽  
Urban Rural ◽  
School Discipline Practices ◽  
The Relationship

There are racial and ethnic disparities associated with school discipline practices and juvenile justice contact. In addition, research suggests that stricter school discipline practices and disproportionate minority contact for minority youth are relatively more prevalent in urban areas. What remains unknown, however, is the relationship between race and ethnicity, school discipline practices, and juvenile justice referrals across urban, rural, and suburban schools. Therefore, this study draws from the Texas Education Agency’s Public Education Information Management System to investigate the relationship between school discipline practices and juvenile justice contact with a focus on racial and ethnic disparities in urban, rural, and suburban schools. Findings indicate that both stringent and lenient school discipline practices have effects on juvenile justice referrals as well as racial and ethnic disparities across distinct school locations; however, there are important and distinctive nuances that are presented and examined.

Have Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Juvenile Justice Declined Over Time? An Empirical Assessment of the DMC Mandate

2020 ◽  
pp. 154120402096216
Author(s):  
Steven N. Zane
Keyword(s):  
Juvenile Justice ◽  
Ethnic Disparities ◽  
Criminal Court ◽  
Racial And Ethnic Disparities ◽  
Implementation Failure ◽  
Theory Failure ◽  
Hispanic White ◽  
Final Disposition ◽  
Over Time ◽  
Research And Policy

The present study examines whether racial and ethnic disparities in juvenile justice declined significantly in a state that has made substantial reform efforts in compliance with the Disproportionate Minority Contact (DMC) mandate. Using a sample of all referrals in Connecticut with final disposition in 2000 (N = 18,458) or 2010 (N = 12,265), the study employed multilevel modeling with cross-level interactions to assess whether disparities changed over time for five outcomes: detention, petition, adjudication, commitment, and waiver to criminal court. Findings indicated that Black-White disparities in detention decreased over time, while Black-White disparities increased for petition, adjudication, and waiver. Findings also indicated that Hispanic-White disparities increased for adjudication (while not changing for other outcomes). The limited success of the DMC mandate may be explained by implementation failure or theory failure. Adjudicating between these alternative explanations is needed to guide future reform efforts. Several implications for research and policy are discussed, including whether reform efforts should focus on overall harm reduction rather than proportional representation.

THE ROLE OF SCIENCE IN REDUCING RACIAL AND ETHNIC DISPARITIES IN THE JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM

2018 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 195-204 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nancy Rodriguez
Keyword(s):  
Criminal Justice ◽  
Juvenile Justice ◽  
Justice System ◽  
Equal Opportunity ◽  
Juvenile Justice System ◽  
Ethnic Disparities ◽  
Racial And Ethnic Disparities ◽  
Criminal Justice Reform ◽  
Juvenile Justice Policy ◽  
Policies And Practices

AbstractIn recent years, we have witnessed various efforts by the federal government to advance our justice system and improve public safety. Collaborations across justice and service agencies and research on what works in criminal justice policy have been central in criminal justice reform activities. Within the juvenile justice arena, reducing rates of victimization and delinquency, as well as implementing strategies to reduce racial and ethnic disparities remain priorities. In this essay, I discuss how research on neuroscience and brain development, and racial and ethnic disparities in justice system outcomes has informed juvenile justice policy and procedural protections for youth. I also review how school policies and practices can perpetuate racial and ethnic disparities in justice outcomes. Throughout the essay, I discuss the federal government’s role in supporting research to advance policies and practices designed to reduce these harms. I highlight the implications of these activities and ways in which data and research can continue to play a key role in realizing equal opportunity and justice for all youth, especially as they are the most vulnerable members of society.

The State as the “Ultimate Parent”: The Implications of Family for Racial and Ethnic Disparities in the Juvenile Justice System

2020 ◽  
pp. 215336872092476
Author(s):  
Margaret Goldman ◽  
Nancy Rodriguez
Keyword(s):  
Juvenile Justice ◽  
Juvenile Justice System ◽  
Ethnic Disparities ◽  
Probation Officers ◽  
Family Characteristics ◽  
Assessment Instrument ◽  
Financial Strain ◽  
Racial And Ethnic Disparities ◽  
Race Ethnicity

Racial and ethnic disparities permeate juvenile justice processing. Research attempting to explain these disparities has superficially considered the role of family measures in the differential treatment of youth of color. In particular, research has given little attention to the role of family supervision, despite its relevance to the mission of the juvenile court. Using attribution theory as a framework and data from three Arizona jurisdictions, we examine the effect of race/ethnicity on probation officers’ attributions of family supervision; the effect of family characteristics, such as financial strain, parental incarceration, and family risk as measured by a risk assessment instrument, in shaping attributions of family supervision; and the effect of race/ethnicity, family characteristics, and attributions of family supervision on recommendations to formally or informally process youth. We find that attributions of family supervision are informed by race/ethnicity and family characteristics and that attributions of family supervision overwhelmingly drive probation officers’ processing recommendations. Suggestions for improving policy and practice are discussed.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document