National

  • Nationally, 1 in 3 Black boys and 1 in 6 Latino boys born in 2001 are at risk of imprisonment during their lifetime. (Children's Defense Fund)
  • There is a strong relationship between the education a child receives and his or her future life success. Negative educational outcomes, such as dropping out, being suspended, or being expelled increase the likelihood that youth will have contact with the juvenile or criminal justice system. Students who are suspended are more than twice as likely to be incarcerated than students who have never been suspended. African-American youth are disproportionately suspended and expelled: in 2003, in grades K through 12, 20% of black students were suspended and 5% were expelled, compared to 9% and 1%, respectively, for white students. (Race and Ethnicity Volume 2: Critical condition: African American Youth in the Justice System)
  • Youth of color comprise 38 percent of the youth population, yet comprise nearly 70 percent of those who are confined. That is because youth of color are arrested, charged and incarcerated more than white youth for similar conduct. (Burns Institute)
  • Self-reported data indicates that African-American youth are not disproportionately committing crimes or engaging in delinquent behavior to warrant the disparities currently seen in the justice system. In fact, with the exception of assaults and thefts of more than $50, white youth consistently report engaging in more criminal behavior than black youth. (Race and Ethnicity Volume 2: Critical condition: African American Youth in the Justice System)

Local

  • Most of the youth incarcerated at Oak Hill Youth Center are from wards 5, 7, and 8 (DYRS website). Statistics show that wards 5, 7, and 8 have:
    • the highest percentage of black and Hispanic families in the DC
    • the highest percentage families in poverty with the lowest average income per year
    • the highest percentage of residents without a high school diploma
    • the highest unemployment rates
    • and the highest percentage of violent crimes reported
    • (Statistics found on DC neighborhoodinfo.com)
  • On any given day 100% of the youth detained at Oak Hill/New Beginnings facility are of African and/or Latin descent. (statistics based on organizational experience)
  • School to Prison Pipeline in DC:
    • 85 percent of Latino 4th graders cannot read at grade level.
    • 91 percent of Black, non-Latino 4th graders cannot read at grade level.
    • 81 percent of Latino 4th graders cannot do math at grade level.
    • 92 percent of Black, non-Latino 4th graders cannot do math at grade level.
    • (Childrens Defense Fund Cradle to Prison Pipeline Report)
  • High School graduation rate for African American youth in DC is 45%
  • College admissions rate for African American youth from DC is 33%
  • College graduation rate for African American youth from DC is 9%
  • (These statistics are supported by the Youth Education Alliance)