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

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.

Temida ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 79-106
Author(s):  
Konstantinos Panagos

The present paper focuses on the role of probation officers for juvenile offenders in victim-offender mediation and on the main challenges for the protection of victims? interests. The general nature of probation officers? duties has been characterized as ?offender-focused?. However, according to the Directive 2012/29/EU, restorative justice includes processes through which the victim and the offender can participate actively in resolving the problems that occur from the offence, with the help of an impartial third party. The Greek juvenile justice system will be examined as a case study. The analysis reveals that the Greek legislator has adopted a ?quasi-restorative? practice that promotes juvenile offenders? rehabilitation and socialization. This fact raises concerns regarding the ?legitimation? of mediation process from a victimological perspective. Special emphasis is given to the significance of the informed consent that should be provided by the victims in order to participate in the process based on the procedural justice theory.


2018 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 195-204 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nancy Rodriguez

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.


2018 ◽  
Vol 36 (08) ◽  
pp. 835-848 ◽  
Author(s):  
Virginia Tangel ◽  
Robert S. White ◽  
Anna S. Nachamie ◽  
Jeremy S. Pick

Objective Racial and ethnic disparities in obstetric care and delivery outcomes have shown that black women experience high rates of pregnancy-related mortality and morbidity, along with high rates of cesarean delivery, compared with other racial and ethnic groups. We aimed to quantify these disparities and test the effects of race/ethnicity in stratified statistical models by insurance payer and socioeconomic status, adjusting for comorbidities specific to an obstetric population. Study Design We analyzed maternal outcomes in a sample of 6,872,588 delivery records from California, Florida, Kentucky, Maryland, and New York from 2007 to 2014 from the State Inpatient Databases, Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project. We compared present-on-admission characteristics of parturients by race/ethnicity, and estimated logistic regression and generalized linear models to assess outcomes of in-hospital mortality, cesarean delivery, and length of stay. Results Compared with white women, black women were more likely to die in-hospital (odds ratio [OR]: 1.90, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.47–2.45) and have a longer average length of stay (incidence rate ratio: 1.10, 95% CI: 1.09–1.10). Black women also were more likely to have a cesarean delivery (OR: 1.12, 95% CI 1.12–1.13) than white women. These results largely held in stratified analyses. Conclusion In most insurance payers and socioeconomic strata, race/ethnicity alone is a factor that predicts parturient outcomes.


2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 1
Author(s):  
Katrina A. Hovey ◽  
Staci M. Zolkoski ◽  
Lyndal M. Bullock

Children and youth with mental health issues and learning difficulties are common in the juvenile justice system andfinding ways to effectively rehabilitate, treat, and educate them is complicated, yet imperative. In this article, weexamine the prevalence rates of mental health disorders in youth involved in the juvenile justice system, discuss themyriad challenges involved youth face, present differences related to gender and race/ethnicity as well as provideinformation associated with how best to assist these youths. Additionally, significant influences such as cultural,behavioral, and educational issues related to detained youth will be presented. Developing a better understanding ofthe challenges faced by detainees as well as recognizing barriers to treatment and rehabilitation are key. Further,identifying effective support systems for rehabilitation and transition are addressed.


PEDIATRICS ◽  
1994 ◽  
Vol 93 (6) ◽  
pp. 1078-1084
Author(s):  
Susan Leviton ◽  
Marc A. Schindler ◽  
Renee S. Orleans

Objective. To examine the role of the legal system in adolescent drug trafficking. Methods. Descriptive and analytic review of the literature and relevant legislation. Findings. Utilization of young adolescents by drug "kingpins" in drug trafficking is a new practice that is highly advantageous to the employer for several legal and economic reasons. From the perspective of the drug kingpins, juveniles are particularly useful in drug trafficking because they work for lower wages. Further, even if the youth are arrested, the juvenile justice system enables their rapid return for continued service in the drug trade. From the perspective of the youth, drug trafficking offers one of the few economic opportunities available to them. Further, the numbers suggest a tremendous racial disparity in the juvenile justice system. Conclusions. The mutual advantages to both employer and employee of using youths in drug trafficking increases the likelihood that this new practice will continue to flourish and with increasingly young children. Effective prevention and treatment interventions will need to be multifaceted, addressing the economic, educational, and social issues that have permitted the rapid emergence of adolescent drug trafficking. Finally, further investigation of the apparent racial disparities is necessary.


Circulation ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 125 (suppl_10) ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexander V Sergeev ◽  
Christina M Nyirati

Background: Gestational hypertension (GHTN) remains a compelling clinical and public health problem. It can increase risks of intrauterine growth restriction, low-birth weight, and stillbirth. Little is known about whether racial and ethnic minorities and lower socio-economic status (SES) population groups are more vulnerable to GHTN. Hypothesis: We hypothesized that racial and ethnic disparities in GHTN exist beyond the scope of SES-related health disparities. Methods: A case-control study of GHTN was conducted using the data of 114,298 births in the year 2010 in Ohio. The comprehensive births data were obtained from Ohio Department of Health. Cases were identified as those with GHTN. Controls were identified as those without GHTN. Mothers utilizing Medicaid or the Federal Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children were considered of low SES. Odds ratios of GHTN in relation to mother’s race, ethnicity, and SES were obtained using multivariable logistic regression (SAS software), adjusting for known confounders - gestational age, mother’s age, pre-pregnancy and pregnancy smoking status, pre-pregnancy or gestational diabetes, and plurality. Results: GHTN was statistically significantly associated with maternal race and ethnicity, even after adjustment for SES. Compared to non-Hispanic whites, non-Hispanic blacks were more likely to develop GHTN (adjusted OR = 1.867, 95% CI 1.663–2.096, p<0.001), while Asian women were less likely to develop GHTN (adjusted OR = 0.538, 95% CI 0.426–0.679, p<0.001). Hispanic white women were less likely to develop GHTN than non-Hispanic white women, although the difference between them did not reach a conventional p<0.05 level of statistical significance (adjusted OR = 0.651, 95% CI 0.395–1.076, p=0.09). Adjusted for maternal race, ethnicity, age, and known clinical confounders, women of lower SES were more likely to develop GHTN (adjusted OR = 1.475, 95% CI 1.32–1.647, p<0.001). Conclusions: Non-Hispanic black women are at the highest risk of developing GHTN, while Asian women are at the lowest. The Hispanic paradox phenomenon extends to the issue of GHTN. Racial and ethnic disparities cannot be attributed to low SES only; other mechanisms need to be investigated further.


Author(s):  
Rose L. Molina ◽  
Neel Shah

This article provides a summary of a landmark study describing racial and ethnic disparities in maternal morbidity and obstetric care practices. The article describes the basics of the study, including funding, study location, who was studied, how many patients, study design, study intervention, follow-up, endpoints, results, and criticism and limitations. The article briefly reviews other relevant studies and information, and discusses implications. The article concludes with a relevant clinical case highlighting unconscious bias and how it affects the care providers deliver to their patients. Racial disparities are rampant in medicine, this article highlights the role of race in maternal outcomes.


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