Disparities in Juvenile Justice Sanctioning

• In Event: Disparities in Juvenile Justice Decision-Making

Abstract

Research consistently identifies racial and ethnic disparities in the sanctioning experiences of youth in the juvenile justice system. Drawing on theoretical arguments about disparities in rehabilitation- and punishment-focused youth sanctions, this study seeks to extend prior work by assessing whether racial and ethnic disparities emerge across a range of specific juvenile justice dispositions. We examine potential disparities across multiple sanction outcomes, some of which would be considered rehabilitative, others more punitive. Analysis of Florida court referral data indicates support for the hypothesis that racial and ethnic minorities receive more punitive sanctions and less rehabilitative intervention even when informally processed.

Authors

• Joshua Cochran, University of South Florida

• Daniel P. Mears, Florida State University