In Minnesota, the article claims, as well as nationally, youths of color are more likely arrested, detained, and stand trial as adults than are white youths. Moreover, they are less likely to receive diversion opportunities that keep them from being incarcerated. They are also less likely to receive probation. The short article is essentially reporting the findings of a report from the Minnesota Department of Public Safety Office of Justice Programs. All of its statistics and information come from this report and are properly cited. It is a basic, fair, and informative piece.

This article in particular differs in its newsworthiness due to the fact for its focus upon an issue directly effecting the specific population of youth of color. Again, in many mainstream media sources, youth are as regarded as a general population as a whole, and minority youth and minorities in general are cited as having higher incarceration rates without further detail (as to why this phenomena take place or should be regarded as an issue). The choice of using the Minnesota report as a source and model for similar states, is a practice and approach not often used in addressing the issue of polices and institution disproportionately negatively effecting minorities and youth of color in comparison of other ethnic groups. ... More »