NC Task Force for Racial Equity in Criminal Justice Issues 2020 Final Report

The Task Force was established by Governor Roy Cooper in June 2020 to “focus on addressing existing policies and procedures that disproportionately affect communities of color and developing solutions to ensure racial equity in North Carolina’s criminal justice system.”  They have now issued their 2020 final report.  The report includes recommendations related to the juvenile justice system and points out the connection between individuals who went through Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and are involved in the criminal justice system.  The 2018 Juvenile Justice Report completed by DPS noted that 44 percent of juvenile offenses and complaints were school-based.  In addition, 46 percent of juvenile offenders are youth of color but they make up 71 percent of complaints received and 80 percent of commitments to Youth Development Centers. 

The Task Force will continue their work through 2022.  Their final recommendation in the report (#125) is to create a permanent Racial Equity Commission in the state. 

A few key parts of the report:

• Understanding the Role of Trauma, begins on page 10
• Revise the Role of School Resource Officers, begins on page 36
• Recommendation 19, Hire Behavioral Health Professionals in Schools, page 38
• Recommendation 24, Encourage School Justice Partnerships, page 39
• Stem the School-to-Prison Pipeline and Rethink Juvenile Justice, includes Recommendations 66-70 and begins on page 80
• Implement Racial Equity Training for Court System Actors, begins on page 85