The National Council of La Raza (NCLR) created a fact sheet concerning the racial disparity involving young Latino inmates. Click here to go to website. The fact sheet can be viewed by clicking on the link below this article.
NCLR reports, “ According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the estimated population of Hispanic† youth ages 10–17 in 2008 was 6.4 million, making up nearly 19% of all youth within that age group. In contrast to the Black and White youth populations, the Hispanic youth population has continually grown since 2000, currently making up one in seven of approximately 47 million Latinos in the country. While young Latinos are an increasingly significant segment of the U.S. youth population, current juvenile justice statistics indicate that many Latino youth face serious challenges that threaten their future as successful adults and citizens, including disproportionate incarceration rates. In comparison to Whites, Latinos and Blacks make up a larger share of incarcerated youth than the overall population of youth.”
Highlights from the fact sheet include:
Of all incarcerated youth, one-quarter (25%) are Hispanic, while 45% are Black and 30% are White.
More than two in five (41%) of all incarcerated Hispanic youth are held in short-term juvenile detention facilities, compared to 38% of Black and 44% of White youth.
More than one in three (34%) of all incarcerated Hispanic youth is held in long-term secure facilities for youth, compared to 26% of Black and 32% of White youth.
Nearly one in four (24%) Hispanic youth is held in an adult facility, compared to 36% of Black and 25% of White youth.