The Impact of Community-Based Programs and Restorative Justice on Reducing Black Youth Involvement in the Juvenile Justice System

Author Information

Carla Victoria Alves

Abstract/Description

What are the contributing factors that lead Black youth into the juvenile justice system? This inquiry aims to delve into the experiences of Black males categorized as juvenile delinquents. With arrest and conviction rates significantly higher among Black youth compared to their White counterparts, it is crucial to assess whether their experiences are comparable and to identify the underlying reasons for these racial disparities. The researcher is tasked with uncovering evidence-based practices to address and rectify these racial inequities within the juvenile justice system in the United States. This paper concentrates on adolescents aged 13 to 19, specifically Black youth, also called African Americans. The scope of the analysis encompasses the juvenile justice system from the point of arrest to placement within juvenile facilities, which include detention centers for temporary holding, group homes providing supervised residential care, boot camps emphasizing behavioral correction, residential treatment centers offering therapeutic support, long-term secure facilities for extended stays, and prisons. For this research, a juvenile is "a young person who has committed or is accused of committing a criminal offense" (Merriam- Webster, 2024).

Note on the Author

Carla Victoria Alves (she/her) is a neurodivergent senior majoring in Social Work and Childhood Studies at Bridgewater State University. She is a Departmental Honors student and was awarded an Adrian Tinsley Program (ATP) research grant to conduct her community-engaged research in Summer 2024. Mentored by her faculty advisor, Dr. Francisco Alatorre, Carla's research explores the impact of community-based programs and restorative justice initiatives in reducing Black youth involvement in the juvenile justice system and addressing racial disparities. With a passion for working with children and teens, Carla has extensive experience through her internships, research, and education, while planning to attend graduate school to earn her Master of Social Work (MSW) and pursue a career dedicated to social justice and advocacy.

Recommended Citation

Alves, Carla Victoria (2024). The Impact of Community-Based Programs and Restorative Justice on Reducing Black Youth Involvement in the Juvenile Justice System. Undergraduate Review, 18, 114-125.
Available at: https://vc.bridgew.edu/undergrad_rev/vol18/iss1/14

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