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Study Finds Increased Firearm Injury and Mortality Rates in Youth After Detention

JUVJUST - Juvenile detention center

On April 21, the JAMA Network posted research on firearm injury and mortality rates among juvenile justice-involved youth after detention. The new study, conducted by Northwestern University, uses data from the OJJDP- and NIJ-funded Northwestern Juvenile Project, the first large-scale study of formerly arrested and detained youth.

The study found that one-quarter of Black and Hispanic males are injured or killed by firearms within 16 years after detention. Youth who have been previously involved with the juvenile justice system had up to 23 times the rate of firearm mortality than the general population.

"As this study makes clear, vulnerability to gun violence is one of many adverse outcomes associated with juvenile detention,” says OJJDP Administrator Liz Ryan. “These findings demonstrate the comprehensive support that formerly detained youth need and highlight the need for additional research." 

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Date Published: April 28, 2023