Future Interrupted: How Juvenile Records Disproportionately Affect Youth of Color

Data consistently shows that youth of color are arrested and incarcerated at higher rates than white youth. Upon arrest, a record is created, casting a shadow over the young person throughout their adulthood, even if the court determined that they have successfully been rehabilitated and re-integrated into their community.

This infographic illustrates how records deny opportunities for youth of color, who already face institutional and structural barriers. Having a juvenile record can prevent a young person from obtaining stable housing, securing employment, or being admitted to college. While these obstacles can affect all youth with involvement with the justice system, these barriers make it more likely that youth will re-offend, perpetuating the cycle of mass incarceration in communities of color.

Join Juvenile Law Center this Second Chance Month by sharing this infographic to raise awareness about the detrimental impact juvenile records have on youth of color.