Recommendations for Key Decisionmakers

To address the pervasive racial disparities in the justice system documented by "And Justice for Some," leaders at every level of our society should take immediate action.

THE PRESIDENT, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, AND THE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES SHOULD:

• Meet with civil rights leaders and Building Blocks for Youth partners to discuss what they have done to address this issue and their plans for the future.
• Commit at least an additional $100 million for the Department of Justice to address this issue throughout the country.
• Pledge not to support or sign any legislation that weakens the Disproportionate Minority Confinement (DMC) protections in the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act.

• Strengthen the Disproportionate Minority Confinement protections in the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act by enacting legislation (similar to legislation already passed by the House of Representatives) to address disproportionate involvement of minority youth at all points in the justice system, from first contact with police to incarceration.
• Appropriate at least an additional $100 million for the Department of Justice to address this issue throughout the country.
• Require that states spend 25% of Formula Grant funds they receive under the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act to address this issue.
• Hold hearings in Congressional districts on this issue, particularly for members of key Congressional committees.

• Immediately stop incarcerating young people with adult inmates in jails and prisons.
• Investigate the disparate racial impact of their state laws providing for prosecution of juveniles in adult criminal court.
• Declare a moratorium on building new juvenile detention and corrections facilities and adding new secure beds until they have addressed the differential impact of the justice system on young people of color.
• Report to the public what they have done to address this issue and what they plan to do in the future.
• Appoint state or local commissions to study the problem in their jurisdictions and recommend strategies to address racial disparities in the justice system.
• Commit at least 25% of the funds they receive under the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act to address this issue.

• Monitor the activities of the federal and state governments to address this issue, and report to their members and the public.

• Work with community groups to analyze where and how decisions are made in the justice system that lead to differential treatment of minority youth and recommend necessary reforms.

• Support research on this issue and the development of effective models for reform.

• Keep a spotlight on this issue.