In the United States, over 400,000 children and youth are held in juvenile detention or correctional facilities each year, many of whom are held for minor offenses. Despite a growing body of research showing that incarcerating children can be harmful and counterproductive, the U.S. continues to rely heavily on incarceration as a response to youth crime. This practice perpetuates a school-to-prison pipeline that disproportionately impacts children of color, children with disabilities, and children from low-income families. Incarceration can lead to a range of negative outcomes for children, including trauma, mental health problems, and educational setbacks. It can also increase the likelihood of recidivism, making it a costly and ineffective way to address youth crime.
