Native American children significantly more likely to be arrested, detained in WA

Before and after trial and even for low-level, nonviolent crimes, Native American youths are locked up at higher rates

InvestigateWest reporter Melanie Henshaw joined SPR Morning Edition Host Owen Henderson to breakdown this first installment in her series "Uneven Ground," which examines inequities facing Native American youth in Washington’s criminal justice system. You can listen to that interview here .

For the past 30 years, it’s been clear: Native American children in Washington state are far more likely to be arrested and jailed than white kids.

The state’s courts and Washington Department of Youth and Families have acknowledged the justice system continues to hold back Native American youth, funding committees and producing action plans to address racial inequities in the j