The Latina penalty: Juvenile correctional attitudes toward the Latina juvenile offender. Issue 4 (2nd October 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Pasko, Lisa; Lopez, Vera
• Is Part Of: Journal of ethnicity in criminal justice. Volume 16:Issue 4(2018)
• Page Start: 272
• Page End: 291
• Publication Date: 2018-10-02
• Subjects: Gender -- female delinquents -- juvenile justice -- Latina girls; Discrimination in criminal justice administration -- United States -- Periodicals; Crime and race -- United States -- Periodicals; Racism in criminology -- Periodicals; 364.089
• DOI: 10.1080/15377938.2015.1015196
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1537-7938

Abstract

ABSTRACT: This study investigates perceptions of Latina juvenile offenders among juvenile probation officers, judges, psychologists, and other juvenile correctional decision makers. Using in-depth interviews with 62 juvenile justice professionals, this article examines how gender and culture are constructed and how such constructions can lead correctional decision makers to stereotypical and oftentimes punitive recommendations and responses. Overall, the article finds that (a) the majority of professionals felt that Latina offenders engaged more often in sexual promiscuity, gang membership, and violence in comparison to their non-Latina counterparts; (b) the majority of professionals felt frustration or antipathy toward working with Latina offenders; and (c) few interviewees could articulate an understanding of what gender-specific or culturally specific programming might entail for Latina girls, nor could they identify such options in their districts. We conclude with recommendations for improving juvenile justice services directed at Latina offenders.