The Color of Confinement: Determinants of Detention among Latino Youth

• In Event: Racial and Ethnic Variation in Disproportionate Minority Contact

Abstract

The detention of youth in the United States has been well documented. Specifically, studies indicate that both legal and extralegal factors are significantly associated with pre-adjudication detention of youth, especially minorities. Comparably, studies related to the detention of Latino youth are scarce. The purpose of this study is to identify the legal and extralegal factors related to the detention of Latino youth in the United States. Utilizing a quantitative method design with the use of secondary data, we analyzed over 3000 cases which identified a number of youth characteristics. Through the use of chi-square and logistic regression models, findings reveal that race and gender are significantly related to whether or not youth are detained. Legal factors reveal that the most serious arrest charge is significantly associated with predicting whether or not a youth will experience detention. Limitations, policy implications, and areas of further research are discussed.

Author

• Patrick Webb, Savannah State University