Adolescents who enter the juvenile justice system often have trouble in school and are more likely to experience mental health and substance use issues. Most programs that help decrease arrests and violent crimes in this age group focus on prevention and early intervention (Healthy People 2030). Juvenile referral is an action by which a student is reported to any law enforcement agency or official, including a school police unit, for an incident that occurs on school grounds, during school-related events, or while taking school transportation, regardless of whether official action is taken (U.S. Department of Education).

Considerations for Equitable Approaches:  Data on school crime and discipline reflect differences in student experiences in U.S. public schools. When considering their overall enrollment by race/ethnicity, American Indian or Alaska Native students, Black students, White students, and students of two or more races were overrepresented among K-12 students referred to law enforcement in public schools. Students with disabilities were also overrepresented in law enforcement referrals (U.S. Department of Education). In response to racial and ethnic disparities in the different stages of the juvenile justice process, many states have begun to implement reforms by forming working groups with community partners, using regular data collection to guide future efforts, ensuring that race and ethnicity are distinguished from each other in youth surveys, developing more community-based diversion pathways, and enhancing culturally and linguistically competent programs for youth (Interagency Working Group on Youth Programs).

Inclusive Language Recommendations: Recommendations for more inclusive language include utilizing person-first language such “juveniles who are justice system-involved” (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) or “persons detained by or under the custody of” rather than “criminals” or “detainee,” which can dehumanize those who are being referred to (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention).