Disproportionate minority contact Disproportionate minority contact (DMC) Despite the promise of equal protection under the law, national research has shown that youth of color are overrepresented in the juvenile justice system. This overrepresentation often is a product of decisions made at early points of contact with the juvenile justice system. Where racial differences are found to exist, they tend to accumulate as youth are processed deeper into the system.1
Unfortunately, our juvenile justice system lacks uniform ways of collecting data on race and ethnicity. Although disparities exist across system points, different agencies have different ways of counting Hispanic youth in particular. Additional information on the race and ethnicity of youth arrested, on probation, and in adult prison are available elsewhere in this section.
Youth interaction with the justice system by race (2012) Youth populationi
Youth in detentionii 1%
8%
Youth in YRTCsiii 4%
1%
20%
3%
2% 1%
1%
5%
6%
Other
14%
15% 14%
Youth tried in adult courtiv
29%
Hispanic
15% 2%
Asian
11% 23%
American Indian/ Native American 69%
58% 51%
Black/ African American
47% White
i. The “Youth population” in this figure comprises youth in Nebraska ages 10 through 17 in 2012, according to the 2012 American Community Survey Tables B01001-B01001B-I. “Other” includes two or more races and other. ii. Analysis based on data from individual facilities including Lancaster County Detention Center, North East Nebraska Juvenile Services, Scotts Bluff County Detention Center, Douglas County Youth Center, and the Patrick J. Thomas Juvenile Justice Center. iii. SFY 2011/12 Annual Reports for Kearney and Geneva Youth Rehabilitation and Treatment Centers. Other represents 19.4% Hispanic youths and 4.4% of another race. iv. JUSTICE, Administrative Office of the Courts. 1. “And Justice for Some: Differential Treatment of Youth of Color in the Juvenile Justice System,” National Council on Crime and Delinquency, (January 2007). KIDS COUNT IN NEBRASKA REPORT | 51