Richmond, VA – Virginia detains a disproportionately high number of juveniles, with roughly 900 children held in detention centers daily, over half awaiting trial, according to a new report by the Prison Policy Initiative.
This practise places Virginia as an outlier among comparable states,notably concerning the reasons for confinement. While many states reserve detention for alleged crimes,Virginia routinely incarcerates youth for “status offenses” – actions that aren’t illegal for adults,such as running away,truancy,or violating curfew.This contributes to a cycle of trauma and re-entry into the legal system, experts say, and disproportionately impacts Black children.
Wanda Bertram,a researcher with the Prison Policy Initiative,explains the scope of the issue.”You’ve stayed out past when you’re supposed to stay out. You missed an appointment with your probation officer. It’s stuff like running away,truancy,violating curfew,” Bertram says.”Most states have no children in confinement for these offenses.”
The report highlights notable racial disparities. Although Black children comprise approximately a quarter of Virginia’s youth population, they represent over 60% of those currently confined. This suggests that black youth are more likely to face formal criminal proceedings, while similar infractions by white children may be handled informally, avoiding detention.
studies consistently demonstrate the detrimental effects of juvenile incarceration. Experts find that confinement negatively impacts both the physical and mental health of children, increasing the likelihood of future involvement with the legal system. “Being locked up leaves kids worse off…and makes it more likely that they’re going to return to the legal system again and again. It’s not helping,” Bertram states.
The findings arrive amidst calls from some within the Trump management for stricter penalties for juvenile offenders, raising concerns that the situation in Virginia coudl become more widespread if current trends continue. the Prison Policy Initiative advocates for policy changes to reduce reliance on detention for status offenses and address racial disparities in the juvenile justice system.
