Photo courtesy of Corbis
The Sentencing Project released a series of briefs revealing a disturbing resurgence in youth incarceration and widening racial disparities as of 2023. The data comes on the heels of the Trump Administration calling for increased criminalization of youth.
Reporting from the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) showed the first consecutive annual increase in the one-day count of youth incarceration since 2000. The findings, compiled in three newly released briefs, underscore the urgent need for systemic reform in youth justice practices nationwide. Key findings include the following:
- 46% of youth in placement are Black, even though Black youth comprise only 15% of all youth in the United States
- Black youth are 5.6 times as likely to be incarcerated than white youth– and the Black/white racial disparities in youth incarceration grew more than 10% in 23 states.
- Nebraska has the highest Black youth incarceration rate, the second-highest Black/white disparity, and the third-fastest growing disparity over the past decade.
- West Virginia ranks second in Black youth incarceration.
- Latino youth are at least twice as likely to be incarcerated than white youth in 11 states.
- The Latino/white disparity rate in youth incarceration grew more than 10% in 13 states over the last ten years.
- West Virginia has the highest Latino youth incarceration rate.
- Latino youth were at least three times as likely to be held in placement in Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Utah, and South Carolina compared to their white peers.
- Tribal youth are almost four times as likely to be incarcerated than white youth.
- The Tribal/white disparity rate in youth incarceration has grown more than 10% in eight states with significant Tribal populations.
- South Dakota leads the nation in Tribal youth incarceration, ranks third in its Tribal/white disparity, and has the third-fastest-growing disparity.
- Minnesota has the highest Tribal/white disparity and ranks third in Tribal youth incarceration.
- Tribal youth were at least ten times as likely to be held in placement as white youth in Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin.
“These numbers are not just data– they represent tens of thousands of young lives derailed by a system that continues to punish rather than support. Youth of color are already disproportionately impacted by policies and practices that funnel them into the youth justice system, which could be addressed through effective community-based alternatives, like diversion programs. Despite calls from the Trump Administration yesterday to lock up more children, research shows that over-incarcerating our youth won’t deter crime—it only deepens cycles of trauma and inequality, harming families and communities alike.” ~Josh Rovner, Senior Research Analyst at The Sentencing Project.
Prisons and jails are terrible places for our youth. Please contact my office if you, a friend or family member are charged with a crime. Hiring an effective and competent defense attorney is the first and best step toward justice.
