Youth Justice System Punishes Poverty
A new report from the North Carolina Poverty Research Fund at the UNC School of Law explores how the youth justice system perpetuates the cycle of poverty and racial disparities in North Carolina. Through interviews and surveys with advocates and experts, researchers found that the fines and fees associated with interactions with the justice system can push families further into economic crisis. Researchers also indicate that the overuse of disciplinary measures against youth in schools may reinforce the school-to-prison pipeline. Instead of providing support to at-risk students, many of whom struggle with mental health needs and substance abuse, school policies frequently use suspensions to punish students. These suspensions can increase youth incarceration and worsen inequities in the education system.