The National Council on
Family Relations (NCFR)
July 18, 2002
“At a time when many of our social and
health services are ill equipped to meet many of the needs of low income
families of color including those from the Latino communities in the United
States, unfortunately we find the criminal justice system is more than eager
to step in and fill the void,” said Dr. Carol A. Darling, President of the
National Council on Family Relations (NCFR). And to what extent are Latino and
Latina youth represented in the criminal justice system? And what should we as
concerned professionals do in response to this burgeoning problem?
In part the answer is contained with the
Michigan State University, Institute for Children, Youth, and Families’
report “Donde esta la justicia? - A Call to Action on Behalf of Latino and
Latina Youth in the U.S. Justice System.” The NCFR applauds and fully
endorses the work of researchers Francisco A. Villarruel, Nancy E. walker and
their colleagues
in this major action research effort in
response to the over-representation of Latino and Latina youth in the criminal
justice system.
According to Dr. Darling, “this report
represents a major milestone - in fact, a call to action - to addressing the
disproportionate representation and disparate treatment of Latino/a youth in
the U.S. justice system. As an association concerned with family well-being,
we are very concerned about negative impacts on families that result when
youth are incarcerated, deported and potentially separated from their
families. This report provides an excellent road map for professionals and
public officials at all levels of government to address the needs of Latino
and Latina youth in the criminal justice system.”
The National Council on Family Relations (NCFR)
was organized in 1938 to provide a forum for family researchers, educators,
and practitioners to share in the development and dissemination of knowledge
about families and family relationships, establish professional standards, and
work to promote family well-being.
