An Exploratory Analysis of the Detention Decision-Making Process in One County Juvenile Department

Abstract

This study explores the detention of youth in one large county in a northwestern state. The sample included Hispanic and White juveniles detained during Jul 2001 to June 2002. Using quantitative analyses, the following variables were examined to assess what facors influence the decision to detain youth: ethnicity, gender, current offense, number of prior adjudications, number of prior admissions to detention, and number of total referrals. In addition to quantitative analyses, interviews were also conducted with juvenile probation officers and one judge. Hispanic youth were more likely than White youth to be detained for committing a new offense, while Whites were more likely to be detained for non-criminal offenses. Theoretical arguments such as the conflict perspective are used to further understand the data.