New research conducted by the Delores Barr Weaver Policy Center in Jacksonville finds that Black girls in Florida are disproportionately punished in the education and juvenile justice systems.
The study found Duval County is one of 15 counties arresting and incarcerating black teenage girls at greater rates. Black girls in Duval County are 43% of the general girl population but they represent 67% of the girls arrested last year, according to the study.
Wearer Policy Center President Emeritus Lawanda Ravoira spoke with First Coast Connect’s Melissa Ross Monday about the recent study.
“And even more interesting, is what we’re finding in line with the research is this concept of adultification, where younger black girls are being pulled into the system differently than their peers,” said Ravoira.
The findings will be used to reform justice and educational systems to support the wellbeing of girls and young women.
The entire interview with Ravoira is available on Monday’s First Coast Connect with Melissa Ross, which encores at 8 p.m. on WJCT News 89.9.
Michelle Corum can be reached at mcorum@wjct.org, 904-358-6308 or on Twitter at @MCorumonME.
