This policy brief sifts through statistics and stereotypes to offer an engaging look at how America’s justice system is failing Latino youth. Readers will learn what various organizations are doing — nationally and locally — to address damaging racial and ethnic disparities and support our country’s largest minority group. The text closes with clear actions that policymakers must take to fix our broken justice system and keep all involved youth safe, out of adult prison and bound for a brighter tomorrow.
Relative to their white counterparts, young Latinos are 43% more likely to be waived to the adult system and 40% more likely to be admitted to an adult prison. Disparities like this exist at every stage of the U.S. justice system — and never in a Latino youth’s favor.
