NCJ Number
196501
Date Published
2002
Length
72 pages
Annotation
This document provides information on taking action in the community against discrimination of Latino/a youth.
Abstract
The justice system treats Latino and Latina youth more harshly than white youth, even when youth are charged for the same types of offenses. The Latino community can take action by addressing the disparity and over-representation of youth; collecting accurate and separate data; transferring youth out of Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) Detention Facilities and creating appropriate INS detention policies; ignoring immigration status of youth in detention decisions; offering bilingual services; and nurturing effective cultural competency policies among staff working with Latino/a youth. This Action Packet provides ideas on how to take action, what the community can do, and what advocates and grassroots organizers can do. Action steps include community outreach, media interviews, organizing protests, contacting public officials, and finding a way to fund programs in the community. Sample materials are provided for a community outreach letter, newsletter article, website and e-mail announcement, and outreach flyers. There is a sample press release and opinion editorial. Sample letters to public officials and funding sources, and an invitation letter to visit programs are included. Invitations for community leaders to visit juvenile facilities are provided. Fact sheets are available giving case examples of Latino/a youth in the justice system; and providing information on juvenile injustice, and reducing inequality in juvenile justice. Resource lists for youth justice campaigns, national Latino serving organizations, State and local juvenile justice reform collaborations and coalitions, and parents with children in the system are provided.