Statistics: Disparities in Sentencing Pre-and-Post 2014
Explore comprehensive statistics highlighting the changes and ongoing disparities in juvenile sentencing before and after significant legislative reforms in 2014.
Florida Youth Incarceration Data
- Total Incarcerated Since Childhood in Florida: 2,632
- Total Florida Youth with a Life Sentence: 320 (12.2%)
- Total Florida Youth with a Term of Years Sentence: 2,312 (87.8%)
- Of the 2,632-youth incarcerated in Florida, 1,689 (64.2%) are for non-homicide offenses.
- Of the 2,632, 943 (35.9%) are for homicide offenses.
- Of 2,632 youth, 1,951 are of color. (74.1%)
- Of 2,632 youth, 681 are white. (25.9%)
Following the U.S. Supreme Court rulings, many juveniles in Florida who were originally sentenced to life in prison were re-sentenced to a term of years punishment. The data above represents only those currently incarcerated with life sentences.
Historically, Florida has imposed excessive punishments on youth, especially prior to key U.S. Supreme Court rulings.
This chart shows top crimes for which Florida youth are incarcerated.
- The data reveals a marked decrease in the average sentence length for non-homicide offenses post-2014, suggesting an impact of legislative and judicial changes in juvenile sentencing practices.
- This data questions the appropriateness of long-term sentencing for non-homicide offenses committed by youth, as well as highlighting a notable shift towards less severe sentencing in recent years. It raises questions about the balance between punishment, rehabilitation, and the potential for change and growth in young offenders.
- The findings from this review highlight the need for ongoing scrutiny of juvenile sentencing practices in Florida, especially concerning racial disparities and the long-term impact of incarceration on youth.
This chart provides a look at the number of Florida youths currently incarcerated by the year of offense in orange, compared to the average sentence by year of offense in blue.
Sentencing Disparities: Non-Homicide Average Sentences Pre-and Post-2014
- Pre-2014 Sentencing Trends:
- A significant portion of these long-term sentences were given before 2014, indicating a trend of harsher sentencing in earlier years:
- Prior to 2014, the average sentence for non-homicide offenses was notably longer, averaging 22.3 years.
- Post-2014 Sentencing Trends:
- Following 2014, there was a significant reduction in the average sentence length for non-homicide offenses, dropping to 8.9 years.
The data details the average sentences of children pre-and post-2014 by county of offense.
In a significant majority of Florida counties, post-2014 juvenile sentencing averages have decreased by more than one decade compared to the sentencing averages of children pre-2014.
The definition of a "juvenile offender" under Florida law excludes individuals under 18 who committed crimes prior to July 1, 2014, raising concerns about equal treatment. While those who committed offenses after this date or that received life sentences have the right to review hearings, those with term-of-years sentences before July 1, 2014, do not share the same privilege. The absence of parole in Florida amplifies the impact of this disparity.
The inconsistency and confusion in Florida courts regarding the application of US Supreme Court decisions like Graham/Miller to juvenile sentencing further compound the issue. This situation raises questions about fairness and compliance with constitutional standards, as well as the need for comprehensive reform to ensure all youth have a review mechanism.
Youth Incarceration in Florida
Read court rulings and more about the injustices youth face in Florida.
Read more about the injustices youth face in the criminal justice system across the United States.
