Minority youth disproportionately outnumber White youth at every stage in the nation’s juvenile justice system. A recent study from The Prison Policy Initiative (2019) reports that Black and Latino youth are 40% more likely to receive an adult prison sentence as White youth. Explanations for these disparities include structural inequality, intergenerational trauma, racial and ethnic disparities in policing practices, and discrimination in judicial sentences. While some states have enacted legislation identifying and addressing over-representation of minorities in the juvenile justice system, over-representation continues to be a pervasive issue. Some youth are able to overcome this cycle, others remain locked in the system long-term.
For this discussion post, review both the Kalief Browder and Kent Mendoza stories.
The Prison Policy Initiative (2019)- https://www.prisonpolicy.org/reports/youth2019.html
Kalief Browder- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kv6gSl4JcFA
Kent Mendoza- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZDgq_6QdQdI
Following viewing the videos, reflect on the following. Both youths had similar experiences with the criminal justice system but vastly different outcomes. Discuss the following: Identify at least THREE problems with putting youth in adult facilities. What are some alternatives to sentencing youth to adult facilities? (Describe at lease TWO). Support your response with the information from the videos, as well as information from the class readings and lectures.
(Note: This section will require critical thinking and analysis. This post should not include only surface level analysis. Further, the purpose of this assignment is to address problems and solutions to the incarceration of youth.
