As our name implies, JDCY works with and for DC youth- particularly those who
are disproportionately affected by crime and the criminal justice system. Key
objectives of JDCY include mentoring incarcerated teens; reducing the numbers
of delinquent youth and recidivism rates; and working to create a more informed
and active citizenry on youth justice issues.
Support efforts that invest more resources in community-based alternatives to
incarceration and positive youth development opportunities!
NATIONAL
- 1 in 3 Black boys and 1 in 6 Latino boys born in 2001 are at risk of imprisonment during their lifetime.
- Students who are suspended from school are more than twice as likely to be incarcerated than students who have never been suspended.
- Youth of color comprise 38 percent of the youth population, yet comprise nearly 70 percent of those who are confined.
- 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.
- On any given day, 100% of the youth detained at Oak Hill/New Beginnings facility are of African and/or Latin descent.
- 85% of Latino and 91% of Black, non-Latino 4th graders cannot read at grade level.
- 81% of Latino and 92% of Black, non-Latino 4th graders cannot do math at grade level.
- High School graduation rate for African American youth is 45%.
- College admissions rate for African American youth is 33%.
- College graduation rate for African American youth is 9%.
