Week 7 Flashcards
DMC
Disproportionate Minority Contact
What is Disproportionate Minority Contact
Consists of the overrepresentation of racial and ethnic minority youth in secure settings
A condition that exists when a racial or ethnic group’s representation in confinement exceeds its proportion of the general population
most youth confined in the US juvenile settings are…
African American males
When an offender is considered by decision makers to be ‘black’, such subjectivity may actually contribute to DMC
- More likely to attribute delinquent behavior among black youth to internal factors like delinquency
- For white - ‘poverty’
cause of DMC
Indirect race effects
human rights perspective
Considers both private and public issues
Embrace the universality of rights and their reciprocal obligations
Join humanity in the process of social transformation
Rights are seen to be socially constructed and reconstructed through human interactions
IFSW
International Federation of Social Workers
Defines violations of human rights as any arbitrary and selective actions that interfere with the full exercise
Within the larger problem of ‘DMC’, social workers recognize that ….
individual youth are incarcerated – usually repeatedly – and they develop criminal careers which exacerbate marginalization, while families are disconnected and dispirited
Social workers can expose the links between oppressive human experiences and the material conditions and dominant ideologies in society that perpetuate them
The juvenile justice system has enacted policy interventions essentially from the top down, within a problem-solving paradigm which seeks fixed solutions to the problem as it is defined by decision-make
employing human rights framework…
social workers can join professional knowledge with the knowledge of youth, families, and communities to redistribute economic and social resources to reapportion the confinement of you
JJDPA
Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act
what did the JJDPA establish
many mandates for states to meet as a condition of eligibility for for federal block grant funding:
- Deinstitutionalize status offenders and other less serious delinquents
- Separate child and adult prisons
- Remove juveniles from adult prisons
US Congress declared addressing the issues of disproportionate minority confinement a core requirement of the JJDPA
Assess causes
Intervene
Evaluate reforms
what does DMC research and intervention effort stress
the importance of both perspectives, viewing minority crime reduction and system fairness as equally vital to the elimination of DMC
how do educational systems play a role in DMC
Disparities in Access
School-to-Prison Pipeline
Disparities in Access
Minority youth often face inequitable access to quality education, which can lead to lower academic achievement and higher dropout rates. This contributes to a cycle that increases involvement with the juvenile justice system.
School-to-Prison Pipeline
Harsh disciplinary policies, such as zero-tolerance rules, disproportionately affect minority students, pushing them out of schools and into the justice system.
how do social systems play a role in DMC
community resources
cultural competency
community resources
Disadvantaged neighborhoods may lack access to essential services like mental health support, after-school programs, and employment opportunities. These deficits can lead to increased juvenile delinquency.
cultural competency
Understanding cultural backgrounds is crucial for social workers and educators. Programs that incorporate culturally relevant practices can help address and mitigate issues faced by minority youth.
how do family dynamics play a role in DMC
family support structures
parental involvement
family support structures
Families from marginalized communities may experience higher levels of stress due to economic instability, leading to challenges in providing consistent support for their children. This can impact youth behavior and engagement in school.
parental involvement
Engaging families in educational and social programs can improve outcomes for minority youth. Programs that facilitate communication and cooperation between schools and families are essential.
how does the JJ system play a role in DMC
racial disparities
rehabilitation vs punishment
racial disparities
Minority youth are disproportionately represented in the juvenile justice system. Factors such as biased policing and systemic inequities contribute to these disparities.
rehabilitation vs punishment
There is a growing emphasis on rehabilitative approaches rather than punitive measures, recognizing that many youth can be redirected through support systems rather than incarceration.
ways to reduce DMC
policy reforms
preventative programs
data and research
