The Governor’s Office of Crime Control & Prevention has awarded a total of $581,205 to local governments and state agencies to reduce Disproportionate Minority Contact (DMC) in the juvenile justice system

 

Disproportionate Minority Contact (DMC) occurs when a racial or ethnic group’s representation at any point of contact in the criminal justice system exceeds its representation in the general population. Juveniles experience it throughout the criminal justice process, ranging from arrest to sentencing and detention, and dealing with it poses different challenges at every step.

 

“Public safety is our most solemn obligation,” said Governor Martin O’Malley. “These grants will help provide our local partners with the tools they need to reduce discrimination within our criminal justice system – moving us closer to our goal to create safe neighborhoods and communities for every family and child in our State.”

 

Reflecting that reality, the grants announced today will approach the problem of DMC among juveniles from a number of different directions:

 

Anne Arundel County will focus on determining where DMC is occurring and work with law enforcement and schools to address the problem.

$70,866