The New York State Youth Justice Institute stands in solidarity with communities of color worldwide suffering police violence and disparate treatment in justice systems.
In the past two decades, the United States has experienced a significant and consistent decline in youth crime and youth involvement with the juvenile justice system. However, a concurrent drop in racial and ethnic disparities (R.E.D) in youth justice systems has not materialized. National analyses of youth justice data clarify that while Black youth comprise only 15% of the country's youth population, they made up 35 percent of youth arrests in 2016. Disparities for the youth of color persist at all system points. For example, Black and Hispanic youth are 4.1 and 3.1 times, respectively, to be placed in secure placement facilities than their white peers. And, as arrests and court referrals decreased for all youth between 2010 and 2016, the rates decreased less for American Indian and Alaska Native youth.
Within its mission to disseminate information and support localities across New York to adopt evidence-informed youth justice practices, the YJI created this microsite containing a curated array of national and YJI-developed resources and research relevant to the elimination of R.E.D. in youth justice systems. The site will be continuously updated; to nominate resources for inclusion, please email [email protected].
The Bureau of Justice Statistics has found racial disparities in imprisonment rates. Black individuals are 5.1 times more likely to be imprisoned than white individuals, while Hispanic individuals are 1.5 times more likely to be imprisoned than white individuals. Source: Carson, A. (2020). Prisoners in 2019. Bureau of Justice.
The Black unemployment rate has continued to be over twice the white unemployment rate since data collection began in 1972 according to Federal Reserve Economic Data. Source: Ajilore, O. (2020). On the Persistence of the Black-White Unemployment Gap. Bureau of Justice Statistics.
Black students were 2.6 times more likely than white students to be arrested in a school setting, with increased police presence resulting in a disproportionate increase in the arrest of black students as compared with other racial and ethnic groups. Source: Homer, E., & Fisher, B. (2020). Police in schools and student arrest rates across the United States: Examining differences by race, ethnicity, and gender. Journal of School Violence, 19: 1, p. 192-204.
In honor of Black History Month, we want to highlight the work, contributions, and successes of Black trailblazers in American history. It is because of these amazing individuals that we have moved--and continue to move--closer toward a more equitable world, not only for ourselves but also for our youth.
We encourage you to look into the trailblazers highlighted below and to share these profiles with your colleagues and friends!
The YJI has created a general News Stories Dashboard curating stories from local, national, and international media outlets on diverse youth justice topics and issues. To review stories on Racial and Ethnic Disparities (R.E.D), do the following:
Black youth in Alabama are routinely pushed from schools to incarceration
APRIL 11th, 2024
THE GRIO
ALABAMA
"A report by the Southern Poverty Law Center found that Black students are suspended far more than white students in Alabama.”
Talking about racism with kids can be challenging. These Pitt researchers want to help.
APRIL 16th, 2024
90.5 WESA
PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA
“Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh have launched a new six-week training program to guide white parents through conversations with their children about race and racism.”
APRIL 24th, 2024
MOCO 360
MONTGOMERY COUNTY, MARYLAND
“Latino youth in Montgomery County are struggling with substance abuse and where to find help, according to a report released Thursday by the University of Maryland School of Public Health in collaboration with Gaithersburg-based Identity Inc.”
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