Latino/as often have less access to justice in the criminal legal system because of perceived racial and ethnic identity, language needs, and immigration status. Two reports from the Safety and Justice Challenge examine language access services and immigration policies and trends in local jails. The reports build on an initial report that found a lack of data on Latino populations in local justice systems.
Immigration Status
Immigration status impacts the way people, especially people who are Latino/a, experience local justice systems—from arrest and detention to data sharing with immigration officials. And a Safety and Justice Challenge (SJC) report on immigration enforcement policies and trends of detention shows the landscape differs widely between communities. Even among SJC cities and counites, some jurisdictions limit cooperation with federal immigration enforcement, others may only share data or only detain people for immigration and customs enforcement, and others cooperate across many dimensions of the system. The report includes recommendations for communities committed to reducing the overuse of jails including limiting data sharing and outsourcing of jail beds and identifying the ways immigration policies affect their systems.
Language Challenges
People who have limited English have better access to justice when law enforcement, courts, and correctional facilities have services in their language. Local criminal justice systems that receive federal financial assistance are obligated to provide language services, but the reality of language services in local jurisdictions is murky. A report on language access services shares an overview of guidance and policies and survey data on language services availability in local justice systems. Findings indicated the most commonly available language was Spanish, which was often the only non-English language provided. The report recommends assessing language needs to better target services, appointing language access coordinators to ensure programs are well managed, and supporting multilingual employees.
