DMC Factsheet: Delaware

DELAWARE

Disproportionate Minority Confinement

What is Disproportionate Minority Confinement (DMC)? Under the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act (JJDPA), disproportionate minority confinement (DMC) exists when the proportion of youths detained or confined in secure detention facilities, secure correctional facilities, jails and lockups who are members of minority groups exceed their groups' proportions in the general population.

How widespread is DMC? In virtually every state, at every stage of the juvenile justice system, youth of color are overrepresented and receive disparate treatment, particularly in secure confinement.

State Profile: Delaware

Delaware has an estimated minority youth population of 24%.
In 1997, minority youth accounted for 75% of commitments to public facilities and 77% of detention placements.
In 1998, African-American and Hispanic youth comprised 50% of arrests.
From 1998-1999, African-American male and female youths (22% of the total youth population) comprised approximately 66%% of the admissions to the New Castle Detention Center and 54% of the admissions to detention at the Stevenson House.

Source: FY 2000 Formula Block Grant Three-Year Plan. 2000-2003. Criminal Justice Council.

What must states do to comply with the DMC mandate? Current law directs states to identify the extent to which disproportionate minority confinement exists, to assess the reason that it exists and to develop intervention strategies to address the causes for disproportionate minority confinement. The law does not require, and has never resulted in, the release of any youths from custody based on race, nor has it required numerical quotas for arrests. No state's funding under the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act has ever been reduced as a result of noncompliance with this provision.

Contact Information: To provide comments or obtain additional information on Delaware's state plan to address disproportionate minority confinement, contact Delaware's state juvenile justice specialist:

Matthew C. Rubincam
Juvenile Justice Specialist
Criminal Justice Council
State Office Building, 10th Floor
820 N. French Street
Wilmington, DE 19801
Phone: (302) 577-8727
Fax: (302) 577-3440

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