Racial Disparities

Since 2004, CfJJ has taken a leadership role in the important task of identifying and addressing the racial and ethnic disparities that exist in the Massachusetts’ juvenile justice system. Our work includes:

• implementing the Just Facts Campaign
• publishing Fact Sheets and other educational materials for both stakeholders in the system as well as the general public
• presenting at forums and conferences around the Commonwealth
• sharing our expertise with researchers, advocates and policy makers
• becoming a founding member of the newly formed Massachusetts Juvenile Justice Task Force on Racial Disparities
• supporting the development and implementation of projects in Massachusetts that are designed to reduce racial disparities
• actively participating in the work of the Governor’s Juvenile Justice Advisory Committee and the Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative to address racial disparities

Often referred to as Disproportionate Minority Contact or DMC, racial disparities exist at every stage of the juvenile justice system from arrest to re-entry. For example, black youth are 8 times as likely to be held in secure confinement as white youth – yet there is no evidence that black youth commit more crimes, or more serious crimes, than white youth.

CfJJ Fact Sheets

DMC Fact Sheet
November, 2005

Racial Disparities in the Massachusetts Juvenile Justice System
November, 2005

Other Publications

National Council on Crime and Delinquency: And Justice for Some:
Differential Treatment for Youth of Color in the Justice System
January, 2007