Juvenile Referrals in Alaska Examined by Race
Released
by the Justice Center, University of Alaska Anchorage
June 8, 1998
Schafer, N. E. (1998). A Comparison by Race of Juvenile Referrals in Alaska: Phase II Report. Anchorage, AK: Justice Center, University of Alaska Anchorage.
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| > Disproportionate
Processing of Alaska Native Youth
(project) > Alaska Native youth in the justice system > Minorities in the Alaska juvenile justice system |
This examination supported the previous finding that minority youth were more likely than white youth to accumulate referrals. More than half of the white youth in the sample had been referred only once while more than half the Alaska Native Youth had been referred five or more times. For black youths, distribution was more even, with forty per cent referred only once and twenty-seven per cent referred five or more times.
The study found that Native youth accumulated alcohol-related referrals at a greater rate than either black or white youth and that these referrals were more likely to occur in rural than in urban settings.
The number of referrals was tied to the age at the first referral. Alaska Native youth with extensive referral histories were referred for the first time at younger ages than either black or white youth, and many of these initial referrals were made in small villages for very minor offenses by very young children -- offenses such as stealing candy. It seems that Alaska Natives tend to accumulate extensive referral histories in rural areas for behaviors which would be ignored or dealt with informally by urban police.
For all races, lengthy referral histories were linked to unstable family and living situations. Those with multiple referrals had often experienced particularly chaotic living arrangements.
Local priorities, particularly concerns with alcohol abuse, as well as the higher visibility of offenders in small communities may play a part in the accumulation of lengthy referral histories. However, while the Justice Center study suggests this hypothesis, currently available data have not permitted a thorough examination of geographical factors.
Nancy Schafer of the Justice Center headed both phases of this study. She was assisted by Richard Curtis and Cassie Atwell. Copies of the report may be obtained by phone from the Center (786-1815) or through the Justice Center Web page.