Oklahoma's juvenile justice : disproportionate minority placement among Oklahoma's juveniles

Abstract

America has a long history of placing a disproportionate number of minorities in the criminal justice system. Disproportionate incarceration/placement rates occur in both the adult and juvenile justice systems. This study investigates minority juvenile placement rates compared to non-minority post-adjudication rates to determine disproportionality. The Office of Juvenile Affairs in Oklahoma provided archival data to determine disproportionate placement rates by race in Oklahoma. Black juveniles were disproportionately represented in secure care facilities. Hispanic and ”Other” were also found to have higher rates of post-adjudication in secure care facilities than White juvenile. Asian and Native American juveniles had lower rates of post-adjudication in secure care facilities than White juveniles.