MDEAT/University of Miami study analyzes racial disproportionality in youth arrests: A Wake-Up Call for Miami-Dade County

In response to mounting concerns surrounding racial disparities in youth arrests, Miami-Dade Economic Advocacy Trust (MDEAT) commissioned Trends in Miami-Dade County Youth Arrests: 2010-2022, a comprehensive report that unveils unsettling truths about juvenile justice in Miami-Dade County. Nationally, the problem of racial disproportionality in youth arrests is pervasive, with Black youth being 2.4 times more likely to be arrested than their White counterparts. Florida is no exception, with Black youth being three times more likely to be arrested than White youth in all 67 counties, including Miami-Dade. The report, a collaboration with the University of Miami School of Education and Human Development’s Community and Educational Well-Being Research Center (CEWRC), paints a stark picture of racial disproportionality in youth arrests and offers a roadmap for change.

“We cannot have a future without our children. The findings of this report offer a sobering glimpse into the persistent issue of racial disproportionality in youth arrests,” said Bill Diggs, MDEAT’s executive director. “While Miami-Dade County has made progress in reducing overall youth arrests, it is essential to address the root causes of racial disparities and develop comprehensive strategies for lasting change.”

Racial disproportionality, as defined by the federal Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP), is the over- or under-representation of one race compared to the racial composition of a community. The report reveals that Black youth in Miami-Dade County are disproportionately affected, making up 58% of all youth arrests since 2010 despite constituting only 17-18% of the youth population. Moreover, Black male youths accounted for 52% of arrests in 2022, despite comprising just 9% of the 10-17-year-old population.

MDEAT tapped the CEWRC, which seeks to promote the emotional, educational, and physical well-being of all children and families. The research team was led by Todd C. Warner, Ph.D., and Mary Avalos, Ph.D., along with Siyu Ye, Diana Mercado, Jennifer Cordova, and Brianna Marshall. The research team analyzed data on more than 47,000 youth arrests in Miami-Dade from 2010 – 2022. 

“The good news is that we are arresting far fewer youth in Miami-Dade County compared to just 13 years ago. Youth arrests are down by more than 70%, which is indicative of progress being made,” said Warner. “However, there is still a lot of work that needs to be done to reduce the amount of overrepresentation we see in arrests of Black youth. These patterns of racial overrepresentation are persistent and concerning.”

“A single misstep or arrest, for any reason, could subject individuals to discrimination in employment, housing, and education,” Marcus Bright, Ph.D., MDEAT's youth services administrator. “MDEAT has adopted an ambitious set of policy recommendations to help reverse this trend and create systemic solutions to expand opportunity and prosperity.”

Key Findings from the Report

1. Overall, youth arrests in Miami-Dade County have decreased by 76% since 2010.
2. The total number of youths arrested has decreased by 81% since 2010.
3. Despite the decrease in arrests, racial disparities persist, with Black youth being disproportionately arrested.
4. Arrests of Black male youths accounted for 52% of all arrests in 2022 despite their low representation in the population.
5. Black youth are more likely to be arrested and re-arrested than their White counterparts.

MDEAT Youth Arrest Patterns Policy Recommendations 2023

The report emphasizes the need for a multi-faceted approach to tackle racial disproportionality in youth arrests. Some of MDEAT’s recommended solutions include:

1. Require a licensed mental health coordinator at each public school
2. Establish permanent criminal justice disparities task forces
3. Pass the police questioning of juveniles act
4. Utilize mediation where appropriate for juvenile offenses
5. Implement consistent, high-quality implicit bias training for law enforcement officers

The complete MDEAT policy recommendations are available at www.MiamiDade.gov/EconomicAdvocacyTrust

As MDEAT continues its work to explore what happens to youth beyond the arrest point, the hope is to create a fairer and more equitable juvenile justice system for all. It's crucial to recognize that the vast majority of youth, regardless of their background, do not come into contact with law enforcement, dispelling stereotypes about youth of color.