DMC

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DMC
Disproportionate Minority Confinement
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DMC in DetentionGoing deep into the system
Source Puzzanchera, C.,Finnegan, T., and Kand,
W.(2005), Easy Access to Juvenile Populations,
Online.
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DATA-DRIVEN

• Avoid becoming attached to early DMC assumptions
  or prematurely drawing conclusions
• Let the numbers tell its own story

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Reducing Racial Disparities
Track racial disparities at all decision
points Arrest Detention (Admissions, ADP,
ALOS) Sentencing Probation Violations
Warrants JRA Remand to Adult Court Explore
possible causes for disparities Certain crimes
for a particular racial group? Particular zip
code? Certain time of day? Hire more minority
staff DMC training for Juvenile Justice System
Professionals Partner with community for a team
approach


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Police decision point
Booking officer decision point
Judicial officer decision point
Decision Points
Prosecutor decision point

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Pierce County Juvenile Court Detention Admissions
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(No Transcript)
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Beyond Mere Talk
The work to achieve tangible DMC reduction
results will not succeed unless its champions
are

• Intentional
• Unapologetic

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Being Intentional

• Apply the race lens to identify disparity
  implications, no matter how clear or ambiguous
• Volunteer to do the grunt work without being
  asked you must understand the nuts bolts
  better than anyone else
• Unapologetically steer focus and targeting for
  new/expanded programs towards the DMC population

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Engagement Process
The subtleties of effective engagement is knowing
how to involve
The Right PEOPLE
. at the Right TABLE
. at the Right TIME!!
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The Right PEOPLE

• Know and engage the POWER PLAYERS
• Know and engage the WORKERS
• Know and engage those who consistently have
  the EAR OF THE COMMUNITY

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Pierce County Juvenile CourtDMC Goals 2007-2009

• Goal 1 Institutionalize and sustain DMC Task
  Force structure, staffing and technical
  assistance
• Goal 2 Reduce disproportionate minority
  detention admits and bed days for
  African-American youth by 10 over two (2)
  years.

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Pierce County Juvenile CourtDMC Goals 2007-2009
(cont)
Goal 3 Reduce felony recidivism for
African-American males on probation 20
over two (2) years. Goal 4 Facilitate
multi-disciplinary collaboration between
Probation, Mental Health, schools, parents and
service providers to improve academic,
vocational and protective decision- making
outcomes for at-risk minority youth.
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Pierce County Juvenile CourtDMC Goals 2007-2009
(cont)
Goal 5 Increase utilization of diversion,
early intervention and prevention programs to
avoid incarceration of minority youth.
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Resources

• www.ojjdp.ncjrs.org/dmc/
• http//www.burnsinstitute.org/
• http//www.buildingblocksforyouth.org
• http//www.jdaihelpdesk.org

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Three Boys on a Suitcase
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An African American male born this year has a
1 in 3 chance of being incarcerated sometime
during his lifetime.
Source U.S. Department of Justice Bureau of
Justice Statistics 2004
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1 in 3