Disproportionate Referrals of Alaska Native and African American Youth
Released
by the Justice Center, University of Alaska Anchorage
June 25, 1997
Schafer, N. E.; Curtis, Richard W.; and Atwell, Cassie. (1997). Disproportionate Representation of Minorities in the Alaska Juvenile Justice System: Phase I Report. Anchorage, AK: Justice Center, University of Alaska Anchorage.
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Processing of Alaska Native Youth
(project) > Alaska Native youth in the justice system > Minorities in the Alaska juvenile justice system |
According to the Alaska Department of Education, white youth formed 71.5 to 72.7 per cent of the juvenile population during the years studied, 1992-1995. Alaska Native youth were 22.4 to 23.4 per cent and African American juveniles were 4.7 to 5.3 per cent. Of the 28,618 referrals in the data set, 59.6 per cent were attributed to white youth, 31.6 per cent to Alaska Native youth and 8.7 per cent to African American. The disproportion is also evident in the average number of referrals accumulated by the three groups examined. White youth had an average 1.8 referrals and minority youth, 2.4.
The data base covered the most serious charge made at the time of each referral. For most offenses minority youth were referred in disproportionate numbers. Over the four-year period, Alaska Natives were referred for 880 incidents of assault in the fourth degree -- the most serious offense against persons to be examined. This was 35.5 per cent of all the assault referrals. African Americans were referred for 12.3 per cent or 304 assaults, while white juveniles were referred for 1,297 incidents -- 52.3 per cent of the total. The disparity in numbers also appeared for most of the other offenses examined. Only for misdemeanor theft (70.7%) and misconduct involving a controlled substance (75.4%) were white youth referred in numbers proportionate to their representation in the population as a whole.
The offense of possession/ consumption of alcohol showed the strongest disproportionate referral of Native youth. Native juveniles are referred in greater numbers than the other two groups combined. They were associated with 2,297 referrals from a total 4,217 for this offense -- 54.5 per cent. Alcohol use has long been associated with the presence of Alaska Native adults in the criminal justice system. This study shows that it is a factor in youth processing also.
The study used four years of statewide data from the Division of Family and Youth Services on incidents of juvenile referral. Demographic data, referral charges and prior background information were included. A further study will examine individual histories of a random sample of youth selected from the data base.
Professor Nancy Schafer headed the study. She was assisted by Cassie Atwell and Richard Curtis and other members of the Justice Center. The study was funded by a gift from CIRI.