Exploring the Impacts of Racial Disparity Within the American Juvenile Justice System

Abstract

The racial disparity in the American juvenile justice system impacts the lives of many youth of color. Youth of color constitute 34% of the U.S. population, however, they make up 62% of the youth charged in the juvenile justice system. The cycle of racial inequality and imprisonment are factors influenced by residential segregation and policing practices. Juvenile justice involvement leads to poorer physical and mental health in youth, stymied social outcomes, poorer familial relationships, decreased graduation and employment rates, increased rates in violence, and long‐term negative future outcomes. The article advocates for mental health treatment and family services to be incorporated within incarcerated settings. Clinical strategies and future direction are discussed to begin to combat these various adverse impacts.

Advocating for an Incarcerated Informed Lens in Therapy

“…Racial disparity in the justice system is exceedingly problematic. Further, the stigma and disproportionate impact of having a loved one incarcerated may carry long-term effects to the individual, family system (Dragomir & Tadros, 2020).…”

“…To overcome racial inequality, history must be confronted. Therefore, the conscious, intentional usage of a structural racism lens must be applied (Dragomir & Tadros, 2020). In response to current events, it is particularly vital to acknowledge the conditions embedded from systemic racism.…”

“…The juvenile justice involvement pushes youth of color deeper into the criminal justice system and can lead to long-term consequences of legal involvement being negatively associated with youths’ outlook of the future. Additionally, policy decisions continuously target people of color in disinvested neighborhoods, and then are over policed (Dragomir & Tadros, 2020). Mental health professions treating this population need to understand how systemic and racial inequalities benefit the criminal justice system (Tadros & Owens, 2020).…”

“…Mental health professions treating this population need to understand how systemic and racial inequalities benefit the criminal justice system (Tadros & Owens, 2020). Exposure to family services and mental health treatment are essential to coping with the consequences of systemic oppression (Dragomir & Tadros, 2020). It is critical to point out the link between these policies and covert white supremacy.…”

Treating Mental Illness and Relational Concerns in Incarcerated Settings

“…Integrating families into treatment of incarcerated individuals may assist in enriching relationships as well as increasing the likelihood of successful reentry into the home and community (Tadros & Finney, 2018, Tadros et al, 2021). The literature displays that systemic models applied to the incarcerated population seem to be those adolescent-focused models and in juvenile settings (Dragomir & Tadros, 2020). Despite evidence from the literature that both individual-focused and systemic models have various benefits for the incarcerated person, there is still a deficiency in the literature about how the family is impacted by the experience of incarceration.…”