The Incarceration of Minority Youth

Abstract

Minority youth are being incarcerated in public juvenile correctional facilities at rates three to four times that of whites. Their numbers are growing even though overall rates of serious youth crime are declining. FBI data and self-report data indicate that minority youth are somewhat more likely than white youngsters to be involved in serious crime but not to the extent that generally has been assumed. Recent research suggests that minority youth are more likely to be arrested and charged with serious crimes than comparably delinquent white youth. Although further research on these issues is imperative, it is also crucial that public officials begin testing out new strategies to reduce the tragic trend of ever more minority children growing up behind bars.