Youth incarceration is most commonly measured by a one-day count every October. This results in a vast undercount, especially amongst detained youths.

• 31 youths charged with drug offenses are detained for each one measured in the one-day count.
• 25 youths charged with public order offenses are detained for each one measured in the one-day count.
• 18 youths charged with property offenses are detained for each one measured in the one-day count.
• 11 youths charged with person offenses are detained for each one measured in the one-day count.

Likelihood of detention by race and ethnicity in 2019:

• Latinx youth – 32%
• Black youth – 29%
• Asian/NHPI youth – 26%
• Tribal youth – 25%
• White youth – 20%

Likelihood of commitment by race and ethnicity in 2019

• All youth – 7.6%
• Latinx youth – 9.3%
• Black youth – 9.3%
• Tribal youth – 7.9%
• Asian/NHPI youth – 5.6%
• White youth – 5.6%

Over the past 10 years, the likelihood of detention for white youth and Tribal youth has remained about the same. However, Latino youth’s likelihood increased by 4%; Black youth’s increased by 3%; Asian/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander increased by 5%.