Date of Award
Spring 2026
Degree Name
Bachelor of Arts
Department
Sociology, Anthropology & Criminal Justice; College of Arts & Sciences
First Advisor
Favian Guertin-Martin
Abstract
Foster youth remain dramatically overrepresented in the juvenile justice system, accounting for up to almost a quarter of system-involved youth despite comprising less than 5% of the general population. Prior research on this subject indicates that foster youth tend to face disproportionately punitive responses, systemic challenges linked to trauma, placement, and instability, as well as limited access to diversion programs. This project aims to examine the disparities that foster youth face that result in juvenile justice involvement, as well as focusing on how structural barriers influence detention rates, sentencing outcomes, and opportunities for rehabilitation. Through an analysis of current literature, this study aims to identify patterns of inequality and propose strategies to better support individuals within the foster care system who become involved with the justice system.
Recommended Citation
Rios, Marina, "Roll the Dice: Do Fostered Youth Stand a Chance in Juvenile Justice?" (2026). Capstone Showcase. 1.
https://scholarworks.arcadia.edu/showcase/2026/soc_anth_cj/1
Included in
Criminology Commons, Family, Life Course, and Society Commons, Social Control, Law, Crime, and Deviance Commons, Social Justice Commons
Roll the Dice: Do Fostered Youth Stand a Chance in Juvenile Justice?
Foster youth remain dramatically overrepresented in the juvenile justice system, accounting for up to almost a quarter of system-involved youth despite comprising less than 5% of the general population. Prior research on this subject indicates that foster youth tend to face disproportionately punitive responses, systemic challenges linked to trauma, placement, and instability, as well as limited access to diversion programs. This project aims to examine the disparities that foster youth face that result in juvenile justice involvement, as well as focusing on how structural barriers influence detention rates, sentencing outcomes, and opportunities for rehabilitation. Through an analysis of current literature, this study aims to identify patterns of inequality and propose strategies to better support individuals within the foster care system who become involved with the justice system.