Emerging Adults in Washington, DC’s Justice System

From the conclusion:

“Washington, DC has severe racial disparities in its justice-involved population. That should alarm local leadership and its residents. These disparities are rooted in policing practices that target communities of color, a lack of investment and opportunity in historically disadvantaged neighborhoods, and an overly punitive sentencing, parole, and corrections system. The current system largely focuses on punishment, with insufficient attention given to programming and rehabilitative services that have been proven to improve public safety outcomes. In particular, failure to address the needs of emerging adults in the criminal justice system has exacerbated racial inequities and expanded a system that incarcerates people for decades beyond any public safety benefit. While the District has taken important initial steps in how it approaches 18-to-24-year-olds in its legal system, there is still much room for improvement. Foundational reforms to how the juvenile and criminal justice systems treat 18-to-24-yearolds will help with rolling back mass incarceration, reducing racial disparities, empowering communities, saving taxpayer dollars, and increasing the likelihood of a safe and prosperous neighborhood. “