The Color of Justice

Summary

This report explores how psychology and America’s mental health system — including shortcomings in prevention, early intervention and treatment programs — contribute to the over-representation of youth of color in the juvenile justice landscape.

Table of Contents

• Foreword
• Voices From the Community
• Introduction
• Context, Race and Culture
• Conclusion
• References

Key Takeaway

Rehabilitating justice-involved youth of color may require a shift in philosophy and practice

This report calls on the mental health field to scrutinize critical issues in research, practice and policy as they relate to the over-representation of youth of color in the juvenile justice system. Some identified areas of interest include: the intersection of trauma and institutional solitary confinement; the role of implicit bias in diagnoses and treatment; and the lack of culturally tailored and clinically valid assessment, diagnosis and intervention practices.