The Louisiana Office of Juvenile Justice (OJJ) is a cabinet-level Louisiana state agency that provides youth corrections services in the state. The full official title of the agency is Department of Public Safety and Corrections, Youth Services, Office of Juvenile Justice (DPSC/YS/OJJ). The agency has its headquarters in the first floor of the Louisiana State Police Building in Baton Rouge. The agency's current head is E. Dustin Bickham.

History

The Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections previously handled the care of juvenile prisoners. In 2003 the Louisiana Legislature voted to turn the department's juvenile division into a cabinet level agency. In 2004 the juvenile system separated from the adult system. It was established as the Office of Youth Development (OYD), and it was given its current name by the Louisiana Legislature in 2008. Beginning with the creation of the OJJ, the agency adopted a model used by the Missouri Division of Youth Services, the youth corrections agency of Missouri. The OJJ worked together with that agency and the Annie E. Casey Foundation.

Institutions

The state operates three secure institutions for boys. Acadiana Center for Youth (ACY) in Bunkie, La The male institutions include: The OJJ uses the Ware Youth Center by contract to house adjudicated secure girls in an "intensive residential" program. It is located in unincorporated Red River Parish, about 3.5 km from Coushatta.

Former institutions

Former male institutions: Previously girls were housed in the Florida Parishes Detention Center in Covington, and the Terrebonne Detention Center in Houma.

Non-Secure Programs

OJJ's philosophy is to match adjudicated youth to programs to meet their needs. Some youth, while not amenable to treatment in the community, are not a risk to public safety or in dire need of treatment in a secure environment. OJJ contracts with community treatment providers in non-secure, residential settings (group homes and therapeutic foster care) to place adjudicated youth into. These group homes are located in various places throughout the state.

Probation/Parole Services

OJJ is also tasked with the responsibility of providing probation and parole supervision for adjudicated youth throughout the state. There are 11 regional offices located in: Northern Region: Southeast Region: Central/Southwest Region: Probation and Parole Officers are Peace Officers and Standards Training certified (P.O.S.T) and have arresting authority in the state.