Disproportionate Minority Confinement in Massachusetts: Failures in Assessing and Addressing Overrepresentation of Minorities in the Massachusetts' Juvenile Justice System

These documents reveal that, for at least the last ten years, Massachusetts' youth of color have been overrepresented at every decision-making point in the Commonwealth's juvenile justice system. According to statistics generated on behalf of Massachusetts' Juvenile Justice Advisory Committee, in 1993, youth of color represented approximately 17% of the Commonwealth's juvenile population, 29% of youth arrested, 59% of youth arraigned, and 57% of juveniles committed to secure facilities.4 In 2002, youth of color represented 23% of the juvenile population, 25% of youth arrested and 63% of juveniles committed to secure facilities (arraignment statistics were not available). Although OJJDP audits repeatedly have found Massachusetts to be in compliance with the Delinquency Prevention Act's mandate, the Commonwealth appears to have taken no meaningful steps to address racial disparities.