July 8, 2015
Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency Announces Funding
to Address Disparities in the Juvenile Justice System
Harrisburg, PA. — 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
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