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:
End ‘juvenile points’ sentencing that disproportionately harms Indigenous people
FEBRUARY 9th, 2024
THE SEATTLE TIMES
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON
"In Washington’s prisons, hundreds of Indigenous people are facing overly long sentences due to incorrect choices they made as children. A bill pending in Olympia, House Bill 2065, would help bring hope to incarcerated people, forgiveness to those they hurt and equity to tribal communities in our state.”
New SPLC report highlights disparities in Alabama’s juvenile justice system
FEBRUARY 13th, 2024
ALABAMA REFLECTOR
ALABAMA
“Black students suspended more than white students and incarcerated more, according to the report.”
FEBRUARY 22nd, 2024
OJJDP
US NATIONAL
“The new Center for Reducing Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Juvenile Justice (the Center) is the latest example of OJJDP’s ongoing commitment to confronting and dismantling inequities and discrimination in the juvenile justice system.”
135 Western Ave, Draper Hall, Room 107A
Albany, NY 12222
United States