A new study is buttressing the widely held assumption that Black youths are getting a raw deal from the U.S. justice system. A recent report concludes that African-Americans suffer disproportionate arrest rates and tougher prison sentences than White youths. While Blacks under 17 years old comprise just 17 percent of the nation’s youths, they represent about 30 percent of those arrested, says the report, “Critical Condition: African American Youth in the Justice System,” released this month by the D.C.-based Campaign for Youth Justice. Get the rest at BET.com/News. 

An Alabama bank settles with Black customers. An Alabama bank has agreed to pay Black borrowers more than $185,000 in a settlement prompted by the U.S. Justice Department, which accused it of charging African-American customers higher mortgage rates than its White customers. The First Lowndes Bank will compensate Black customers for charging them more on mobile home loans. In addition to the $185,000 plus interest, Lowndes has also agreed to begin procedures to prevent racial discrimination in setting its interest rates and to train its employees in those procedures, The Associated Press reports.