DMC Factsheet: Georgia

GEORGIA

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: Georgia

Georgia has an estimated ethnic minority youth population of 35%.
During the past decade, minority youth have consistently accounted for approximately 58% of all juvenile arrests in the state.
In 1999, minority youth comprised 65% of all Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) commitments, 53% of all 90-day boot camp commitments, and 75% of transfers to adult court for serious offenses.
African-American youth accounted for 65% of youths committed to DJJ.

Source: FY 2000-2002 Multi-Year Plan. Children and Youth Coordinating 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 Georgia's state plan to address disproportionate minority confinement, contact Georgia's state juvenile justice specialist:

Joe Vignati, Deputy Director
Juvenile Justice Specialist
Children & Youth Coordinating Council
4th Floor
3408 Covington Highway
Decatur, GA 30032
404-508-6585
JoeVignati@cycc.state.ga.us

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