About Us

The Georgia Department of Juvenile Justice is a multi-faceted agency that serves the state`s youthful offenders up to the age of 21. Each day, at 26 facilities and 92 community services offices through out the state, more than 4,000 DJJ employees work diligently to effect justice as well redirect and shape the young lives in the agency`s care so they can take responsibility for their delinquent conduct as well as become contributing members of society. At the same time, DJJ seeks to protect the victims of crimes so that they can rebuild their lives.

While holding youthful offenders accountable for their actions through probation supervision and secure detention, DJJ provides youth with medical and psychological treatment, as well as specialized programs designed to equip them with the social, intellectual and emotional tools they will need as adults. DJJ also places a premium on education. As Georgia`s 181st school district, we offer youth in our custody the opportunity to earn a high school diploma from a system accredited by both the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) and the Correctional Education Association (CEA). Some 52,000 youths are served annually, including those who are placed on probation, sentenced to short-term incarceration, or committed to the Department`s custody by Juvenile Courts. Below, read more about our Mission, Vision, Values and Goals. Learn more about the Commissioner by reading his biography or his message. If you`d like to learn about how DJJ is Organized, click here. Information about the Board of DJJ is available here.

To view our Resource Library, click here.

MISSION

Our Mission is to protect and serve the citizens of Georgia by holding young offenders accountable for their actions through the delivery of services and sanctions in appropriate settings and by supporting youth in their communities to become productive and law-abiding citizens.

VISION

OFFER HOPE AND YOUTH CHANGE.
DJJ will lead the nation in preparing young people in its care to develop and sustain productive lives.

VALUES

We strive to create and sustain an agency culture that values accountability, integrity, security, superior performance, ongoing personal growth, intellectual curiosity, innovation, teamwork, and leadership not only in our staff but also in the young people in our facilities and programs.

GOALS

• Operate Safe and Secure Facilities and Communities while providing educational opportunities;

• Implement the Juvenile Justice Reform;

• Promote strategized Recruitment, Retention, and Succession Planning;

• Establish systematic Classification and Placement of Youth; and

• Promote Offender/Youth Re-entry focused programming and service delivery.