The literature which addresses the treatment and disposition of juvenile offenders thoroughly establishes the prevalence of racial bias. Though research is abundant regarding racial bias in both the mental health field and in the juvenile justice system, little exists which examines whether the two combine to contribute to the disproportionate percentage of minority offenders in the justice system. This paper examines this possible contribution. It is hypothesized that both probation officers and mental health professionals employ racial discrimination in dispositional recommendations leading to recommendations for the incarceration of black offenders although white offenders with identical characteristics are recommended for placement in mental health treatment facilities. A log-linear model for single-response qualitative data was modified to a 2 x 2 chi-square analysis due to the low number of referrals to detention which would not allow an evaluation of interactions between the variables. Utilizing a chi-square analysis, statistical significance was not met. Possible reasons for these findings and implications for research are addressed. / Department of Counseling Psychology and Guidance Services
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:BSU/oai:cardinalscholar.bsu.edu:handle/185896 |
| Date | January 1997 |
| Creators | Donaldson, Robin E. |
| Contributors | Ball State University. Dept. of Counseling Psychology & Guidance Services., Bowman, Sharon L. |
| Source Sets | Ball State University |
| Detected Language | English |
| Format | vii, 35 leaves ; 28 cm. |
| Source | Virtual Press |
| Coverage | n-us--- |
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