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Don’t Let Some Reforms Blind You to Enduring Fight Against Racial Disproportionality [jjie.org]

 

The approach to the treatment of youthful offenders has changed dramatically in the last 20 years. Systemic models that once focused on using vocational training as a means of rehabilitation have recently evolved into mental health-focused treatment programs and reentry efforts. Diversion programming and restorative justice have replaced reform schools, as a juvenile justice reformation is in full swing nationwide. Conversations among practitioners, academicians and policymakers seem to be producing meaningful progress related to youth justice issues.

But despite the systemic changes implemented to reform the justice process for young people, and the success of explicitly pursuing treatment over punishment, racial disparities remain prevalent in virtually every decision-making point within the juvenile justice system. The color of the shrinking pool of justice-involved young people highlights the systemic challenges facing youth of color.

The trickle-down economics model, which asserts that tax breaks for the wealthy would (theoretically) benefit the working class, has been criticized by economists and both conservative and liberal politicians. Instead of the money eventually making it to the working class via new job opportunities, economists argue the money is ultimately hoarded by the wealthy. Similarly, the framework for addressing racial disparities by reforming the justice system has not had the intended consequences. In some cases, racial disparities have become more pronounced in the midst of reform efforts.

[For more on this story by onathan W. Glenn, go to https://jjie.org/2018/06/04/do...-disproportionality/]

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