Bullet White juveniles were less likely to be detained than black juveniles and juveniles of other races
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White youth were least likely to be detained

Secure detention was nearly twice as likely in 1996 for cases involving black youth as for cases involving whites, even after controlling for offense. Detention was least likely for cases involving white youth charged with property crimes. Detention was most likely for cases involving black youth charged with drug offenses.

Figure 8Figure 10

For blacks, growth in detained cases outpaced growth in delinquency cases overall

For black youth, the relative increase in the number of delinquency cases involving detention was greater than the relative increase in delinquency cases overall. For white juveniles and juveniles of other races, growth in the overall delinquency caseload was greater than growth in the detention caseload.

Figure 9Figure 11

Black youth were overrepresented in detention caseloads in 1996

As a result of their greater probability of detention in 1996, black youth were overrepresented in the detention caseload, compared with their proportions in the overall delinquency caseload. While black youth made up 30% of all delinquency cases processed in 1996, they were involved in 45% of detained cases. This overrepresentation was greatest for drug offenses: blacks accounted for 33% of all drug cases processed, but 59% of drug cases detained.

Figuer 12Figure 13

In all offense categories, youth of other races made up less than 5% of all cases processed and of those involving detention.

Disproportionate minority confinement is a priority issue for OJJDP

The Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act of 1974, as amended (the Act), establishes four custody-related requirements. One of these core requirements is the "disproportionate confinement of minority youth" requirement (1992), which specifies that States determine the existence and extent of the problem in their State and demonstrate efforts to reduce it where it exists. States must agree to comply with requirements to receive Formula Grants under the Act's provisions. This includes submitting plans outlining their strategy for meeting these requirements. Noncompliance with the core requirements results in the loss of 25% of the State's annual Formula Grants program allocation. As of 1998, 55 of 57 eligible States and territories are participating in the Formula Grants program. The vast majority are in compliance with the core requirements. (For more information on the disproportionate minority confinement requirement and other core requirements, see page 88 of Juvenile Offenders and Victims: 1999 National Report.)



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1999 National Report Series, Juvenile Justice Bulletin:
Minorities in the Juvenile Justice System		 December 1999