Contemporary Issues in Juvenile Justice
Abstract
This paper discusses the contributing factors and effects of youth[VD(1] with disabilities in the juvenile justice system. The disabilities discussed will be those of social, emotional, learning, and behavioral; presenting disconnections between these children, youth, educational system, and juvenile justice system. [VD(2] The juvenile justice system encompasses youth with behavior attributed to their disability that has been criminalized and thereby labeled as a delinquent. A juvenile delinquent is defined as "a minor who…commits anti-social or criminal acts, like vandalism or violence" (Dictionary.com, 2016). Such behavior could be disorderly conduct or temper tantrums that is criminalized as assault or general disruption and that typically occurs in a classroom or school setting resulting in temporary arrest or detention by police officers. Statistics, research mechanisms, and data vary state-to-state, but "some federal data show that kids with disabilities are overrepresented in the state's detention facilities" (Mader & Butrymowicz, 2014).
Recommended Citation
McGriff, K. (2021). The Overrepresentation of Youth with Disabilities in the Juvenile Justice System. Contemporary Issues in Juvenile Justice, 11(1). Retrieved from https://digitalcommons.pvamu.edu/cojjp-contemporaryissues/vol11/iss1/5
Included in
Child Psychology Commons, Criminology and Criminal Justice Commons, Social Control, Law, Crime, and Deviance Commons, Social Work Commons
