Juvenile Justice

National Activities to Reduce DMC

Since 1969 –

Many national studies have found that minority youth are often overrepresented in secure facilities and throughout the juvenile justice system. Links to many of those studies are attached to this site.

In 1987 –

The national Coalition for Juvenile Justice urged Congress to examine minority representation in secure facilities and in the juvenile justice system.

In 1988 –

The Congressional reauthorization of the federal Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act required all states receiving Formula Grants to address the disproportionate confinement of minority youth in secure facilities and to report their efforts annually to the federal Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention. A link to their web page is attached to this site.

Since 1990 –

The Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) has provided research, training and technical assistance to states and localities in their efforts to address disproportionate minority confinement and contact. They have developed a five-phase process for use in addressing DMC:

  • Phase I Identification – to determine whether DMC exists in a state or locality
  • Phase II Assessment – to identify specific causes of DMC in a state or locality
  • Phase III Intervention – to implement strategies that combat the causes of DMC
  • Phase IV Evaluation – to determine whether the interventions are reducing DMC
  • Phase V Monitoring – to track and adjust the intervention as needed

Many private organizations have also provided research, training and technical assistance to states and localities in their efforts to address DMC. Links to the web pages for those organizations are attached to this site.

In 2002 –

The Congressional reauthorization of the JJDP Act required all states receiving Formula Grants to expand their efforts by addressing disproportionate contacts of minority youth with the entire juvenile justice system.

 

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