Overrepresentation in the Juvenile Justice System
I. Underlying issues that manifest minority disparity in the juvenile justice system.
II. Disproportionate Minority Representation
III. Delbert Elliott’s Integrated Theory
IV. Substance Abuse as a High Risk Factor
V. School Dropout Rates as a High Risk Factor
Overrepresentation in the Juvenile Justice System
The overrepresentation of minorities in the juvenile justice system represents the push by law enforcement and legislators to crack down on juvenile crime. However, incarcerating juveniles is only a quick-fix to the real root of the problem of overrepresentation of minorities in the juvenile justice system. This problem is broad and primarily stems from social issues that manifest juvenile issues among minorities. Such issues as high drug use, high crime, poor education and limited occupational opportunities in impoverished urban cities where a high percentage of U.S. minorities live fuel juvenile crime. As Karen Shepard writes, “Poverty, segregation and environments that do not allow youths to develop their potentials are the most common causes of disproportionate minority confinement” (114). Current legislation and law enforcement practices incarcerate the offender rather than attacking these urban and social issues that promote offense.
Nevertheless, minorities are overrepresented in juvenile justice system statistics, particularly high numbers of African American and Hispanic youth. This analysis will provide statistics and explanations for the overrepresentation of juvenile minorities in the juvenile justice system, a situation that is mirrored in the adult justice system in the U.S. A conclusion will address some resolutions that might help resolve the increasing dilemma of minority disparity in the juvenile justice system.
Historically the American justice system has viewed juveniles who commit crimes as more deserving of a second cha...