Establishing State Governors Special Commissions to Study Disproportionate Minority Representation in States' Correctional & Juvenile Justice Systems

WHEREAS, nationally, minority individuals are markedly over-represented among inmate populations relative to their representation in the overall population; and

WHEREAS, the cause of this imbalance is likely of multiple origin; and

WHEREAS, Section 223 (a)(23) of the Federal Juvenile Justice and Delinquent Prevention (JJDP) Act require states receiving funds through the JJDP Act to assess and address over-representation of minority youth in the juvenile justice system and take action to reduce the proportion these groups represent in the general population.

BE IT RESOLVED, that the NAACP use its vast network to advocate for the appointment of special commissions to study minority over-representation within the state's juvenile justice system; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that where there is over-representation of inmates that the states be required to take appropriate action to comply with the provisions of Sections 223 (2)(23) of the Federal Juvenile Justice and Delinquent Prevention Act or any other federal laws.