NCJ Number
202486
Date Published
2002
Length
98 pages
Annotation
This report assesses the status of minority youth overrepresentation in Arizona, representing an update and evaluation of years of work by diverse public and private agencies that have addressed this issue.
Abstract
The report notes that overrepresentation occurs when a larger proportion of a particular group is present at various stages within the juvenile justice system than would be expected based on their proportion in the general population. This report assesses the progress in reducing minority overrepresentation in the juvenile justice system by comparing relevant data from 1990 to 2000, followed by recommendations for change. The focal points of the juvenile justice system for examining minority overrepresentation are referrals, detention, probation, commitment, and adult prosecution (juveniles prosecuted in adult court). A total of 12 interviews and 5 focus group sessions were conducted, resulting in input from 62 individuals. An overarching theme was the perceived lack of significant progress in reducing minority overrepresentation in the juvenile justice system. There was a constant reference to the continued use of an Anglo-based middle-class treatment model by numerous focus group participants, particularly for Latino clients. Respondents considered bias in assessment as a problem. Although respondents reported that the recruitment of minority agency and treatment staff had increased, and pay bonuses had been instituted for bilingual employees, the resource pool of available treatment staff was viewed as diminishing. Recommendations are as follows: Encourage and promote collaboration among the State agencies and organizations directly involved with the juvenile justice system; develop an annual "Report Card" with specific benchmarks for success each year; review detention assessment instruments and identify those variables that increase detention of minority youth in the adult criminal system; address the administrative, staff training, provider services, and staffing issues identified in the various focus groups; and identify and support the development and expansion of programs that work. Each recommendation contains a list of actions for implementing the recommendation. 45 tables, appended supplementary information, and a glossary of terms