Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency Announces Funding to Address Disparities in the Juvenile Justice System

HARRISBURG, Pa., July 8, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD) announced the availability of competitive funding aimed at addressing Disproportionate Minority Contact (DMC). DMC refers specifically to the disproportionate number of minority youth who come into contact with the juvenile justice system. Reducing DMC is a core requirement of the federal Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act of 2002.

A total of $300,000 in Federal Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Funds will be used to support at least six projects throughout the Commonwealth. Funds can be used for hiring DMC Coordinators within local jurisdictions; funding intervention or prevention programs; supporting youth/law enforcement forums; improving data collection systems; completing evaluations related to data analysis; or evaluating the DMC Middle School Curriculum.

Several counties throughout Pennsylvania are already actively seeking reductions in DMC. "High arrests of minorities are the main reason Chester County is a primary target of DMC reduction activities," Chester County DMC Coordinator Allen Smith said. "Utilizing statistics, our Committee is able to pinpoint those municipalities with disproportionate higher arrest rates for minorities and then reach out to those areas to provide education and intervention," Smith continued. "Through the last 12 years, Chester County has shown systemic change in DMC reduction, and we will continue to support these practices."  

"It is critical that our justice system be fair and responsive to all--regardless of where they come from or what they look like. Everyone must be equal under the law and while we've made progress more must be done," PCCD Chairman Josh Shapiro said. "I applaud these communities for their efforts to ensure that the system works and am proud to partner with them and support their efforts with these PCCD grants. "

PCCD follows a rigorous process in awarding competitive grants. For more information on how grants are awarded, please visit here.

MEDIA CONTACT: Matthew Leonard, 717.265.8539

SOURCE Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency

Related Links

http://www.state.pa.us