Research Bulletin

              Examining incarceration trends among minority youth in Illinois
By Jessica Ashley, ICJIA research analyst
Vol. 5, No. 5
January 2007
Research Bulletin
The racial makeup of those who come in contact with the criminal justice system has long been of interest to researchers and policymakers. Over­representation of minorities, primarily African Ameri­cans, has become apparent in the nation’s prisons and received much attention. Disproportionate represen­tation of minorities has also extended to the juvenile justice system and correctional facilities for youth.
At different stages of the juvenile justice system, from initial contact with law enforcement to incarcera­tion in a secure facility, decisions are made that may impact overrepresentation of minority youth. One Illinois study found that in counties throughout the state minorities were overrepresented at each decision point in the juvenile justice system. Factors that may ultimately influence confinement include differential police policies and practices, location of offenses, vary­ing behaviors of minority youth, differential reactions of victims to offenses committed by individuals of dif­ferent racial or ethnic groups, or racial bias within the justice system.1
This Research Bulletin examines race of juveniles com­mitted by the courts to Illinois youth centers. Although the data may not contribute to conclusions as to the causes of overrepresentation or underrepresentation of minorities and ethnic groups, they can aid in the devel­opment of appropriate responses to reduce dispropor­tionate minority confinement.
Admissions to IDOC Juvenile Division
The Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC) col­lects data from each juvenile at the point of admission into its juvenile division. Each youth is examined in regard to medical, psychological, and social condi­tions, including substance abuse issues, and school and vocational histories. The IDOC intake assessment aids staff in determining the placement of juveniles into one of seven Illinois youth centers.
IDOC juvenile admission data was examined in this Research Bulletin and will provide information on juveniles committed by the courts to IDOC’s Juvenile Division in state fiscal year 2004 (FY04), which runs from July 1, 2003, to June 30, 2004.
Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority
Rod R. Blagojevich, Governor
Sheldon Sorosky, Chairman
Lori G. Levin, Executive Director
Research Bulletins are published periodically by the Il­linois Criminal Justice Information Authority. They focus on research conducted by or for the Authority on a topic of interest to Illinois criminal justice professionals and policy­makers.
This project was supported by Grant #03-DB-BX-0037 awarded to the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority from the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Preven­tion through the Illinois Department of Human Services and the Illinois Juvenile Justice Commission. Points of view in this document do not necessarily represent the official posi­tion or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.
For more information about this or other publications from the Authority, please contact the Authority’s Criminal Justice Information Clearinghouse at 312-793-8550, or visit our website at www.icjia.state.il.us.
Printed by authority of the State of Illinois, January 2007.