Book Description

In Disproportionate Minority Contact, Parsons-Pollard provides a broad look at DMC and the complexities of attempting to reduce its impact. This edited volume features the writings of prominent scholars and practitioners in the field who provide a well-organized and wide-ranging review of the literature, case studies, and current policies and practices impacting disparate treatment in the criminal justice system. "Parsons-Pollard has assembled a team of contributors who are experts in the subject matter--disproportionate minority contact. She and her colleagues plow into the issues, providing a rich, provocative, well-written, issues-driven text that presents ample material for many courses, including special topics and senior seminars. The importance of the topic, the caliber of the contributors, and the quality of the writing makes this text a must-read for those currently in the field and anyone else who has an interest in criminal justice." -- Laura Moriarty, Vice Provost for Academic and Faculty Affairs at Virginia Commonwealth University "Parsons-Pollard and the authors of Disproportionate Minority Contact have made a major contribution to academicians, policy makers, practitioners and community members involved in eforts to reduce the disproportionate representation of youth in the juvenile justice system. They do this in part through the exploration of the research in this area, including the complexities of the Relative Rate Index and analysis of the impact of decision points on disparate treatment and the overall rate of disproportionality. Their investigation, however, does not end there. They lift up the need for the collection of data that will inform this work at the local level and the need for transparency in sharing and analyzing it. Further, they examine the relationship of school policies and the disproportionate representation of children of color in the child welfare system and the need for a cross systems approach to successfully reduce rates of disproportionate minority contact. The picture painted in this thoughtful treatment is one of hope, but also one filled with great challenges; that there are no easy answers or "low hanging fruit" as we work in this area. The authors make clear, however, that our efforts are absolutely essential in ensuring fairness, equity and full opportunity for youth of color in our society. They are to be commended for shining this bright, illuminating light on such an important social issue." -- Shay Bilchik, Founder and Director of the Center for Juvenile Justice Reform at Georgetown University Public Policy Institute "I know of no other source of information on disproportionality in criminal and juvenile justice that is as comprehensive or thorough as this book. It will immediately become the definitive authority on the subject." -- Judge Jerrauld C. Jones, Norfolk Circuit Court, 4th Judicial Circuit of Virginia "[Disproportionate Minority Contact] should be an adopted book for 21st century juvenile and criminal justice courses and integrated into course curriculum at the undergraduate and graduate level ... By reading the book, juvenile and criminal justice students will learn how their role as citizens and professionals can impact DMC [disproportionate minority contact]." -- ACJS Today A teacher's manual is available electronically on a CD or via email. Please contact Beth Hall at [email protected] to request a copy.