Study: Texas County Targets Children of Color With Harsher Punishments

A study from the Rice University Texas Policy Lab has found that the Harris County, Tx., juvenile justice system disproportionately punishes a small group of Black and brown kids with multiple referrals more harshly than others, with young Black boys specifically more likely to receive harsher punishments, even though their offenses didn’t increase in severity, reports Houston Public Media. The harsher punishments come from a misconception about the criminal justice system’s effectiveness in preventing repeat offenses, but further contact with the system may instead lead to an increase in offenses.

Of the 42,000 kids who came into contact with the Harris County juvenile justice system between 2010 and 2019, most had only one interaction. Researchers say the study’s findings are an opportunity to identify which kids are more likely to have repeat interactions with the juvenile justice system, and recognize when and how to intervene. Harris County commissioners have passed a number of community programs and resources that aim to provide youth incarceration alternatives, including mental health services and a marijuana offense diversion program. Referrals to the juvenile justice system have significantly decreased in Harris County in the past few years.