JUVENILE

confinement and failures to provide due process to youth appearing for proceedings. The justice department released its findings in 2012.

Michael Leiber, who has examined racial disparities in the Juvenile Court of Memphis and Shelby County, reported this June that being black increases a juvenile’s chance of detention and decreases the chance of receiving a nonjudicial outcome in comparison to white juveniles in similar circumstances.

“Juvenile Court of Shelby County is concerned about (disproportionate minority contact),” Bowman said. “I am living proof. That is why I am employed with them. They made a special effort by hiring me. But also they’re working really hard. DMC is one of those issues where we can sit around all day and talk about why it is happening. The usual conversation goes like this: It’s either the parents or the kids or the environment. But the reality of it is there is a systematic failure as well. And the court has not put its head in the sand. It realizes that. But here’s the deal: We’re working really hard.”

Two families spoke at Thursday’s meeting about the Juvenile Ceasefire Gun Safety program that helps divert youths from the court system who are charged with carrying a weapon. Sixty youths have gone through the program, according to the court.

“Weapons can throw your life away,” a 17-year-old told the group Thursday.

He said Ceasefire gave him a second chance.

“(Ceasefire) is having such a positive effect on the community and on the juveniles who are charged with carrying a weapon,” said Martha Rogers, the court’s children’s services bureau manager.

Youths wear ankle monitors until they complete the program in which they learn about the impact of violence on communities, families and on those who carry weapons. An assistant United States attorney and law enforcement speak to the youths, and the youths write essays about why they should not have had weapons.

Bowman urged people to get involved.

“I extend the opportunity,” she said. “Join us in this great work.”