Exploring the Impacts of Racial Disparity Within the American Juvenile Justice System

• DOI: http://doi.org/10.1111/jfcj.12165
• Published date: 01 June 2020
• Author: Renne Rodriguez Dragomir,Eman Tadros
• Date: 01 June 2020

Exploring the Impacts of Racial Disparity Within

the American Juvenile Justice System

By Renne Rodriguez Dragomir and Eman Tadros

ABSTRACT

The racial disparity in the American juvenile justice system impacts the lives of

many youth of color. Youth of color constitute 34% of the U.S. population, however,

they make up 62% of the youth charged in the juvenile justice system. The cycle of

racial inequality and imprisonment are factors influenced by residential segregation

and policing practices. Juvenile justice involvement leads to poorer physical and

mental health in youth, stymied social outcomes, poorer familial relationships,

decreased graduation and employment rates, increased rates in violence, and long-

term negative future outcomes. The article advocates for mental health treatment

and family services to be incorporated within incarcerated settings. Clinical strate-

gies and future direction are discussed to begin to combat these various adverse

impacts.

Key words: American Justice System, incarceration, clinical implications, juvenile justice,

racial disparity.

JUVENILES OF COLOR INCARCERATED

The U.S. incarcerates more children than any other nation in the world (Raised in

the System, 2018). America’s historical roots aid in the understanding how this racial

Renne Rodriguez Dragomir, PhD, IMFT-S, LPCC-S, LICDC-CS is an IHBT Consultant and

Senior Research Associate for the Center for Innovative Practices at Case Western Reserve University. She

also works in private practice providing individual, couple, and family therapy. She received her PhD in

Counselor Supervision and Education: Marriage and Family Therapy Program from The University of

Akron. Her focus areas include home-based family therapy, fidelity and adherence for promising practices,

and systemic supervision and consultation.

Eman Tadros, Ph.D., IMFT is an Assistant Professor at Governors State University in the Division

of Psychology and Counseling. She received her Ph.D. from the University of Akron’s Counselor Education

and Supervision: Marriage and Family Therapy program. She is a licensed marriage and family therapist,

MBTI certified, and an AAMFT Approved Supervisor. Her research follows the trajectory of incarcerated

coparenting, incorporating family therapy into incarcerated settings, and the utilization of family systems

theories within these settings.

Juvenile and Family Court Journal 71, No. 2

©2020 National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges

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