Why are minorities over-represented in Oregons juvenile justice system?
Minority over-representation is a complex social problem with multiple causes. Recent studies help explain how decisions at each stage of the juvenile justice system contribute to the over-representation of minority youth. The annual Governor’s Summit brings together the people behind those decisions to work on solutions. Factors that contribute to minority over-representation include: • Statutory mandates • Patterns of crime • Lower socioeconomic status • Inadequate preventative social services • Law enforcement practices and policies • Communication barriers • Inadequate cross-cultural competency training • Lack of culturally appropriate resources, placements, and services • Bias of decision makers Statutory mandates. Changes in laws that either de-criminalize behaviors or criminalize additional offenses can affect the number of people arrested. Between April 1995 and March 1997, for example, 1,045 youths were charged with Measure 11 offenses that carry mandatory minimum sentences fo
