Oregon Public Broadcasting

Multnomah County was recognized Tuesday, for its efforts to reduce racial disparities within the juvenile justice system. Kristian Foden-Vencil reports.

Since the 1990s, the federal government has acknowledged that youth of different races are treated differently by the justice system. African Americans for example, are more likely to be detained before trial than whites.

Jason Zeidenberg of Multnomah County says by hiring a more diverse staff and working not to make decisions based on stereotypes, the county has been able to reduce both racial disparities and crime.

Jason Zeidenberg: “We’ve seen a 15 decline in African American detention rates, over the last year that we’ve had a new risk assessment tool put in. And Multnomah County, is one of the few places in the entire country that has successfully reduced the odds that young people of color will end up being detained versus their representation in the community.”

Jurisdictions from across the country are in Portland this week to learn more about Multnomah County’s process.