IDAHO
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: Idaho
- Idaho has an estimated minority youth population of 12%.
- The Department of Juvenile Corrections and the Juvenile Justice Commission have determined Idaho has a disproportionate number of minorities being arrested, placed in detention, and ultimately committed to DJC custody.
- While all minority juveniles represent 12% on the state's general juvenile population, they account for 15% arrests, 21% of the youths confined in secure detention facilities and 35% of the youths confined in secure correctional facilities.
- Hispanic youths make up 9% of the state's juvenile population, yet they account for 16% of arrests, 16% of the youths confined in secure detention facilities and 18% of the youths confined in secure correctional facilities.
Source: Three-Year Plan. 2000-2002. Department of Juvenile Corrections.
|
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 Idaho's state plan to address disproportionate minority confinement, contact Idaho state juvenile justice specialist:
Sharon Harrigfeld
Juvenile Justice Specialist
Department of Juvenile Corrections
P.O. Box 83720
400 North 10th
Boise, ID 83720-0285
Phone: (208) 334-5100 x111
Fax: (208) 334-5120
Email: sharringf@DJC.State.ID.US
Home /
Juvenile Justice Issues /
State-by-State Info /
Research
Newsroom /
About Us /
BBY Partners /
Contact us
Building Blocks for Youth
For a fair and effective youth justice system
...a comprehensive effort to protect minority youth in the justice system
and to promote rational and effective juvenile justice policies...
