Native American Youth In The Juvenile Justice System

Over-Representation
in Both Federal and State Systems
American Indian youth are over-represented in state and federal juvenile
justice systems and Indian youth in the system are more likely to face harsher treatment
in the most restrictive environments. AI/AN youth are 50 percent more likely than White
youth to receive the most punitive measures, including pepper spray, restraint, and
isolation, and such measures may be disproportionately applied to Indian youth.
The violent crime rate among American Indians is twice that of the U.S national rate.
Tribal communities are also afflicted by high rates of domestic violence, child abuse and
neglect, alcohol abuse, and gang involvement. Given such factors, many tribal youth
are exposed to multiple risk factors, which can contribute to delinquency. Native youth
have very high rates of violent victimizations and exposure to violence. They are
overrepresented in arrests for alcohol, drug offenses, and running away. They are also
overrepresented in the most restrictive placements and interventions.
While the violent crime rate for U.S. youth has steadily declined over the past several
years, the rate of violent juvenile crime in tribal communities continues to grow. Risk
factors for delinquency for the nearly two million American Indians who live on or near
tribal lands are compounded by a lack of social services. Inadequate resources for their
juvenile justice systems are a challenge for tribal communities, resulting in insufficient
training of law enforcement and other justice personnel, and a shortage of programs
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