Mapping Juvenile Justice: Identifying Existing Structural Barriers to Accessing Probation Services

Area of Science:

• Community Psychology
• Criminology
• Urban Planning

Background:

• Most justice-involved youth are on probation, but many fail to comply, leading to confinement.
• In Baltimore, 20% of committed youth face detention for probation violations.
• Structural and spatial barriers may hinder youth access to probation services.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify structural and spatial barriers affecting justice-involved youth in Baltimore.
• To examine how these barriers contribute to social injustice and inequitable service access.
• To understand the impact of transportation and residential location on probation engagement.

Main Methods:

• Interdisciplinary approach combining spatial analysis and socio-economic data.
• Analysis of transportation barriers, including vehicle access.
• Assessment of spatial disparities between youth residences and probation offices.

Main Results:

• One in three youths live in areas with very low vehicle access and below-median income.
• Most youth reside far from probation offices, requiring long commutes.
• Significant structural and spatial barriers impede access to and engagement with juvenile probation services.

Conclusions:

• Structural and spatial factors significantly impact justice-involved youth's ability to comply with probation.
• Transportation and residential location are critical barriers to accessing probation services.
• Addressing these inequities is crucial for reducing youth confinement and promoting social justice.