Reauthorizing the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act: The Impact on Latino Youth

Abstract

This paper analyzes the impact on Latino youth of the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act, the primary law guiding federal juvenile justice policy. Latino youth would substantially benefit from reforms to the law in a number of key issue areas, including disproportionate minority contact, youth in adult jails, community-based delinquency prevention and alternative to detention services, and evidence-based practices. This paper provides recommendations for a reauthorization of the law that takes a rational approach to juvenile justice and strengthens the well-being of Latino youth.