|
|
YOUTH, RACE, AND JUSTICE: A LOOK AT THE DISPARITIES
by Elizabeth Spinney
|
American Indian and Alaska Native youth are overrepresented in the U.S. juvenile justice system at numerous stages, including court referrals, secure detention, petition, adjudication, secure placement, and transfer to adult court. They are also underrepresented among youth who are diverted from juvenile court and placed on probation—a more lenient disposition.1
While national data gives us a general picture of disproportionate minority contact, disparities vary greatly by jurisdiction. For example, a racial disparities study in Montana found although there were similar levels of involvement in court referral and petition filing among white and Native American youth, disproportionality was evident after the adjudication stage. American Indian juveniles were more likely than white juveniles to be formally adjudicated, and they were more likely to be sent to secure confinement after adjudication (71.9 percent compared with 59.1 percent and 30.5 percent compared with 27.5 percent, respectively).2 Additionally, an Oklahoma study found higher recidivism rates among Native American youth compared with white youth.3
MORE »
|
|
ANNOUNCEMENTS & UPCOMING EVENTS
|
Training Opportunities
Advanced Techniques for Forensic Interviewing
Law enforcement, social services, prosecutors, and probation officers can sign up to learn advanced interviewing techniques for child exploitation cases. This training discusses the role of cultural issues in interrogation, important legal considerations, and the dynamics of the interview process.
MORE »
|
|
HOW POLICIES SUPPORT IMPLEMENTATION, AID SUSTAINABILITY
by Jack Calhoun
|
Every state has a primary responsibility to ensure the safety of its residents. Living a life free from violence is a right, not a privilege, and policies that look to support city and community violence prevention efforts can serve as a framework for local plans, programs, and initiatives.
Across OJJDP's youth violence prevention initiatives, there are three cities in particular that have built upon state and local policies to maximize their youth violence prevention work: Chicago, Ill.; Oakland, Calif.; and Santa Rosa, Calif. Kathleen Hill, senior policy advisor in Chicago's Office of the Mayor, talked about the city's implementation of Ban the Box and record expungement laws—both of which have been strengthened by policy work. Ernesto Olivares, director of the California Cities Violence Prevention Network (CCVPN), described changes in state law that establish principles for regional partnerships and leveraging of state funding streams to address delinquency prevention. Through Peter Kim, division manager for Oakland's Human Services Department and director of Oakland Unite, we heard about the most local policy change—a tax measure that supports prevention and interventions for the city's volatile neighborhoods and youth most prone to victimizing or victimization.
MORE »
|
|
NEWS & VIEWS
|
Reports
Face-to-Face Bullying Proves More Harmful Than Cyberbullying
After interviewing 791 youths ages 10–20, University of New Hampshire researchers found 54 percent of harassment incidents occurred in person, 15 percent involved technology, and 31 percent involved both kinds of bullying. Youths said technology-based harassment was less distressing than in-person bullying by schoolmates and other peers.
MORE »
News
Seattle Works on Police–Community Relations
Nineteen young people were hired by the Seattle Police Department (SPD) this summer through the Seattle Youth Employment Program, which gives low-income city residents a chance to fill temporary positions. In 2015, SPD doubled the jobs available, as part of Mayor Ed Murray's Summer Youth at Work initiative. The newest additions are from minority backgrounds, and they have been tasked with improving police–youth interaction.
MORE »
Other Resources
Chicago Baller Wants City to Wear Its 'Drop'
Chicago Bulls center Joakim Noah, creator of the Noah's Arc Foundation, is the star of a new antiviolence PSA. The message is that violence is a global problem—not just a city issue—and everyone should claim responsibility for turning crime around. Noah is asking the city to "Rock Your Drop"—a teardrop necklace with a scored surface representing the pain of lives lost to violence. The metal "drop" symbolizes strength and commitment to positive change.
MORE »
|
|
