NCJ Number
139556
Date Published
1992
Length
199 pages
Annotation
This report describes a 15-month research project which examined the role which minority status plays in the processing of youth through the juvenile justice system.
Abstract
The first phase included a review and summary of existing research literature examining minority status and juvenile processing. The second phase identified programs and policies that may have dealt with differential processing of minority youth. This type of program information was obtained through questionnaires sent to State juvenile justice advisory groups, probation departments in major metropolitan areas, prosecutorial offices, and national organizations thought to be knowledgeable about program initiatives. No programs specifically targeted at minorities were identified as focusing upon ensuring equity in juvenile processing. Finally, several pre-existing data bases were examined in order to deal with methodological problems associated with previous work in this area. The findings suggested both direct and indirect race effects or a mixed pattern, selection bias which can occur at any stage of juvenile processing, and the accumulation of small racial differences in a more pronounced effect as minority youth are processed further into the system. 5 figures and 8 appendixes