The Disproportionate Overrepresentation of Minority Youth in ...

416
Depending on the county, decision makers voiced some concern for the lack of
community-based treatment facilities and residential centers for minorities and females.
These factors were cited as possible explanations for some of the observed race/ethnic
effects and gender effects. The lack of alternative community options and placements
could also be linked to the over use of detention in some communities, especially for
minorities. Thus, an emphasis needs to be placed on the creation, development, and use
of both community-based facilities and residential centers. Whether these should be
race/ethnic and gender specific is somewhat troublesome and should be subject to further
examination. At a minimum, however, finances for such efforts need to come from state
government and private agencies.
Recommendation: Creation, Development, and Use of
Community—Based Facilities and
Residential Care
Although a number of the recommendations indicate a need for alternative
programming which include both community-based and residential facilities, juvenile
court offices may consider an approach that places less of an emphasis on intervention
and holding youth accountable for their behavior. Release and warn could be used more
often for youth who are first, and maybe even second time offenders, and who are
involved in minor delinquent acts. All four of the offices contend that they are having to
deal with more youth and more problematic youth. A policy that emphasized minimal
intervention could possibly reduce case loads and create more time for intervention with
more problematic youth.