July 25, 2002
WASHINGTON -- Connecticut gets low grades in a recent survey of Latino
youths in juvenile justice systems nationwide. The state is at the
high end of the disproportionate representation Latinos have in the
systems, but some argue Connecticut already has a number of programs
in place to shrink that number.
The study by Building Blocks for Youth, a group working to protect the
interests of minorities in the juvenile justice system, showed that
nationally Latino youths make up about 17 percent of delinquent
juveniles in detention centers and other forms of residential
placements, while accounting for about 14 percent of the population
ages 10 to 17.
In Connecticut, where about 11 percent of the population 10 to 17 is
Latino, about 27 percent of delinquent juveniles committed to the
Department of Children and Families are Latino, according to Gary
Kleeblatt, a spokesman for the department. African Americans, who
account for about 12 percent of the population ages 10 to 18 in the
state, actually account for more of the delinquent juveniles committed
to the department, about 36 percent.
Both statistics are open to dispute because many Latinos are often
classified as white or black.
Even so, the report says, the challenges faced by Latinos are unique,
and require different solutions. The report advocates community-based
programs to curb crime and provide alternatives to detention. Many in
Connecticut said those suggestionswould help all children in the
system, not just Latinos.
"[The system] absolutely needs more resources," said Jeanne
Milstein, the Connecticut State Child Advocate, who backs programs to
address small problems before they lead to crime and mental health
services. "The juvenile justice system should not be in the
business of providing mental health."
"We should be coming up with community supports for these
kids," said Robert M. Francis, a co-chair of the Connecticut
Juvenile Justice Alliance, who says that more mentoring programs,
temporary shelters and transitional group homes are needed for
children who may not have a healthy home environment.
But Kleeblatt argues that there already are programs that address the
needs of youth before they resort to crime. He said that one such
program, Connecticut Community KidCare, has a budget of $23 million
for the next two years, and works to "help put the family at the
center of any kind of care for the child."
He added that KidCare would help with mental health issues as well and
that funding is adequate. "We've received the support of the
governor and the legislature."
The report also said that many Latinos struggle with a language
barrier and cultural differences that may require an interpreter or
other trained individuals.
Lack of interpreters isn't a problem in Connecticut, according to
spokesmen for the Department of Children and Families and the judicial
branch. The judicial branch employs 54 interpreters, according to
Rhonda Stearley-Hebert, a spokeswoman for the judicial branch.
About 10 percent of the staff that deals with juvenile delinquents
speaks Spanish; about 14 percent is Latino; and nearly half are
minority, according to Kleeblatt. "It's our responsibility to
serve, as best we can, the youth who are sent to us," he said.
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