America's Invisible Children: Latino Youth and the Failure of Justice

• NCJ Number: 231596
• Author(s): Neelum Arya; Francisco Villarruel; Cassandra Villaneuva; Ian Augarten
• Date Published: May 2009
• Length: 95 pages
• Sale Source: National Council of La Raza; Campaign for Youth Justice
• Publication Format: Document
• Publication Type: Issue Overview
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: Policy Brief: Race and Ethnicity Series 3

Annotation

This policy brief examines the problems experienced by Latino youth who come into contact with the U.S. criminal justice system.

Abstract

Research for this policy brief found that: on any given day, almost 18,000 Latino youth are incarcerated in America, with the majority incarcerated for non-violent offenses; one out of every four (24 percent) incarcerated Latino youth is held in an adult prison or jail; Latino youth are overrepresented in the U.S. justice system and receive harsher treatment than White youth; States with the highest levels of disparity of Latino youth in adult prison (rates over 5 times that for White youth) were California, Minnesota, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin; 9 out of 10 Latino youth ages 10 to 17 live in States that permit the pre-trial detention in adult jails for youth prosecuted in the adult system; most (54 percent) Latino youth prosecuted in the adult system were detained pretrial; and of the Latino youth detained pretrial, 72 percent were held in adult jails. This brief provides an overview of disparities and structural racism experienced by Latino youth in the U.S. criminal justice system, and includes a review of Latino demographic characteristics, a discussion of the immigration and crime connection and stereotypes about Latino youth. In addition, the brief looks at disparities that exist in all major decision points in the justice system, examines national initiatives that have been successful at reducing racial and ethnic disparities for Latino youth, and profiles several community-based models for working with Latino youth and families. Recommendations for Federal and State policymakers to reduce the racial and ethnic disparities of the justice system are also included in the brief and fall into two major categories: stopping the most harmful and dangerous laws, policies, and practices that affect Latino youth; and focusing on building culturally competent services and programs to serve the needs of Latino youth and families. Figures, tables, and notes