Race

Detention
In 1995, youth were detained at some point between referral and disposition in 15% of delinquency cases involving white juveniles (table 42). Among cases involving black juveniles and those of other races, the figures were 27% and 20%, respectively. The largest difference in detention use wa found among cases involving drug law violations. Detention was used in 15% of drug cases involving white juveniles, 42% of cases involving blacks, and 17% of cases involving youth of other races.

For all racial groups, the likelihood of detention declined slightly between 1986 and 1995 with much of the change occurring between 1991 and 1995. This pattern in the use of detention was sharpest for drug cases. Between 1991 and 1995, the use of detention decreased for drug cases involving white juveniles (from 25% to 15%), black juveniles (from 49% to 42%), and youth of other races (from 34% to 17%).