FAQ’s
What is Disproportionate Minority Contact?
When members of a racial or ethnic group are confined at a rate that is disproportionate to that group’s numbers in the general population.
Did you know?…African American youth make up 74 percent of Baltimore City’s youth population but they represent more than 97 percent of all incarcerated youth.
What is Disparity?
Different treatment of individuals who are similarly situated or who have common characteristics.
Did you know?…Three out of four African American youth who are arrested go to
detention, while one out of four receive treatment. Meanwhile, three out of four white
youth arrested receive treatment, while one out of four are detained.
What are the appropriate uses for detention?
- For youth who pose a significant risk to public safety
- For youth who pose a flight risk
What are the common misuses of detention?
- Youth who are low-risk but have high needs
- Youth who have inadequate supervision at home
Did you know?…In Baltimore City in the last 6 months,(July-December 2007) 598 youth spent at least 1 night in detention due to a parents refusal or inability to pick them up.
What do we need to do?
- Reduce the number of youth of color in detention
- Reduce the percentage of youth of color in detention
- Reduce the inappropriate detentions of youth of color
- Reduce the disproportionate number of youth of color being charged as adults