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JJDPA 50th Anniversary

OJJDP marks the 50th anniversary of the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (JJDP) Act, with the year-long observance "Looking Back, Moving Forward: Celebrating 50 Years of the JJDPA". Throughout 2024, the Office will observe the Act's golden anniversary with several events, culminating with the National Conference on Youth Justice in November. 

Signed into law on September 7, 1974, the Act established OJJDP and charged the agency with supporting local and state efforts to prevent delinquency and improve the justice system. The Act represented the first federal legislation to address youth and unlawful acts in a comprehensive, coordinated way.

“For the last 50 years, the JJDPA has been the benchmark for juvenile justice reform, guiding states across the nation and championing investments in best practices that are grounded in research on adolescent development and more effectively reduce delinquency and advance community safety,” said OJP Acting Assistant Attorney General Brent J. Cohen. “As we move forward, let us build on this legacy with renewed dedication to ensuring that communities have the resources and tools to nurture the full potential of our children.”

The Act authorizes OJJDP to provide funds to states that follow a series of federal protections for youth in the justice system. These "core protections" include deinstitutionalization of status offenders, separation of youth from adults in secure facilities, removal of youth from adult jails and lockups, and addressing disproportionate minority contact within the justice system. In 2018, the Juvenile Justice Reauthorization Act reauthorized and strengthened the original Act.

The focus of the JJDP Act is addressing youth victimization and crime by offering help and requiring accountability. These ideals—help and accountability—are prominently reflected in OJJDP’s three priorities: treating children as children; serving children at home, with their families and in their communities; and opening up opportunities for system-involved youth. 

OJJDP Administrator Marks JJDPA's 50th Anniversary

In this video message, OJJDP Administrator Liz Ryan describes how the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act marked a pivotal shift in how states and territories approached youth justice.

“This singular action by Congress changed how we treat children—based on support and accountability—and laid the groundwork for OJJDP’s three priorities: treating children as children; serving children at home, with their families and in their communities whenever possible and consistent with public safety; and opening up opportunities for youth involved in the juvenile justice system,” said OJJDP Administrator Liz Ryan. “As we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the JJDPA, we remain committed to partnering with directly impacted youth and their families and to promoting racial equity and fairness.”

Liz Ryan
Administrator
May 2022-Present
Chyrl Jones
Acting Administrator
January 2021–May 2022
Caren Harp
Administrator
January 2018–January 2021
Eileen M. Garry
Acting Administrator 
January 2017–March 2018
Robert L. Listenbee
Administrator 
March 2013–January 2017
Melodee Hanes
Acting Administrator
January 2012–March 2013
Jeff Slowikowski
Acting Administrator
January 2009–January 2012
J. Robert Flores
Administrator
April 2002–January 2009
Terrence S. Donahue
Acting Administrator
August 2001–April 2002
John J. Wilson
Acting Administrator
February 2000–August 2001 
Shay Bilchik
Administrator
April 1994–February 2000
John J. Wilson
Acting Administrator
January 1993–April 1994
Jerry Regier 
Acting Administrator
1992–January 1993
Robert W. Sweet Jr.
Administrator
1990–1992
Terrence S. Donahue
Acting Administrator
1989–1990
Vernon L. Speirs
Administrator
1987–1989
Vernon L. Speirs
Acting Administrator
1986–1987
Alfred S. Regnery
Administrator
1983–1986 
Charles Lauer
Acting Administrator
1981–1983
Ira M. Schwartz 
Administrator
1979–1981
John Rector
Administrator
1977–1979
Milton Luger
First presidentially appointed Administrator
1975–1977 

Photos: OJJDP's 50th Anniversary Administrators' Forum held October 8, 2024

OJJDP's 50th Anniversary Administrator's Forum: "JJDPA Through the Decades"
On September 7, the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act (JJDPA). This landmark legislation set federal standards for the safe and equitable treatment of young people who encounter the juvenile justice system and established OJJDP. In honor of this significant milestone, OJJDP hosted their first OJJDP Administrators' Forum: "JJDPA Through the Decades."

At this special forum, OJJDP Administrator Liz Ryan was joined by former OJJDP administrators for a compelling panel discussion that explored the evolution of the JJDPA and pivotal moments in juvenile justice. The audience had an opportunity to engage directly with the administrators through a Q&A session following the panel discussion.
OJJDP's 50th Anniversary Administrators' Forum: "JJDPA Through the Decades" - Photo 1
From left to right: Former OJJDP Acting Administrator Jeff Slowikowski (January 2009–January 2012), Former OJJDP Administrator Shay Bilchik (April 1994–February 2000), Former OJJDP Administrator John Rector (1977–1979), OJJDP Administrator Liz Ryan (2022-Present), Former OJJDP Administrator J. Robert Flores (April 2002–January 2009), Former OJJDP Administrator Robert L. Listenbee (March 2013–January 2017, Former OJJDP Administrator John J. Wilson (January 1993–April 1994 and February 2000–August 2001)
 
OJJDP's 50th Anniversary Administrators' Forum: "JJDPA Through the Decades" - Photo 2
From left to right: Former OJJDP Acting Administrator Jeff Slowikowski (January 2009–January 2012), Former OJJDP Administrator Shay Bilchik (April 1994–February 2000), Former OJJDP Acting Administrator Chyrl Jones (January 2021–May 2022), Office of Justice Programs Acting Assistant Attorney General Brent J. Cohen, Former OJJDP Administrator John J. Wilson (January 1993–April 1994 and February 2000–August 2001), Former OJJDP Administrator Robert L. Listenbee (March 2013–January 2017), Former OJJDP Administrator Ira M. Schwartz (1979–1981), and OJJDP Administrator Liz Ryan (2022-Present). Read the administrators' bios.
 
OJJDP's 50th Anniversary Administrators' Forum: "JJDPA Through the Decades" - Photo 3
From left to right: Former OJJDP Acting Administrator Jeff Slowikowski (January 2009–January 2012), Former OJJDP Administrator Shay Bilchik (April 1994–February 2000), Former OJJDP Administrator John Rector (1977–1979), OJJDP Administrator Liz Ryan (2022-Present), Former OJJDP Administrator J. Robert Flores (April 2002–January 2009), Former OJJDP Administrator Robert L. Listenbee (March 2013–January 2017), Former OJJDP Administrator John J. Wilson (January 1993–April 1994 and February 2000–August 2001) 


 

OJJDP's 50th Anniversary Administrators' Forum: "JJDPA Through the Decades" - Photo 4
OJJDP Administrator Liz Ryan provided welcoming remarks and introduced each of the former OJJDP administrators. From left to right: Former OJJDP Acting Administrator Chyrl Jones (January 2021–May 2022), Former OJJDP Administrator Robert L. Listenbee (March 2013–January 2017), Former OJJDP Acting Administrator Jeff Slowikowski (January 2009–January 2012), Former OJJDP Administrator J. Robert Flores (April 2002–January 2009), Former OJJDP Administrator John Rector (1977–1979), Former OJJDP Acting Administrator John J. Wilson (January 1993–April 1994 and February 2000–August 2001), Former OJJDP Administrator Ira M. Schwartz (1979–1981).


 

OJJDP's 50th Anniversary Administrators' Forum: "JJDPA Through the Decades" - Photo 13
At the "JJDPA Through the Decades" event, Former OJJDP Administrator Shay Bilchik moderated the first panel "1970s, 1980s and 1990s" with panelists: Former OJJDP Administrator John Rector, Former OJJDP Administrator Ira M. Schwartz and Former OJJDP Acting Administrator John J. Wilson. 


 

OJJDP's 50th Anniversary Administrators' Forum: "JJDPA Through the Decades" - Photo 13
The second panel "1990s and 2000s" at the "JJDPA Through the Decades" event, was moderated by Former OJJDP Acting Administrator Jeff Slowikowski with panelists: Former OJJDP Administrator Shay Bilchik, Former OJJDP Acting Administrator John J. Wilson and Former Administrator J. Robert Flores.


 

OJJDP's 50th Anniversary Administrators' Forum: "JJDPA Through the Decades" - Photo 14
The third panel "2000s to Present" at the "JJDPA Through the Decades" event, was moderated by Former OJJDP Acting Administrator Chyrl Jones with panelists: Former OJJDP Acting Administrator Jeff Slowikowski, Former OJJDP Administrator Robert L. Listenbee and OJJDP Administrator Liz Ryan.


 

OJJDP's 50th Anniversary Administrators' Forum: "JJDPA Through the Decades" - Photo 20
From left to right: Former OJJDP Acting Administrator Jeff Slowikowski, OJJDP Administrator Liz Ryan, Former OJJDP Administrator Shay Bilchik, OJJDP Senior Policy Advisor Scott Pestridge, Former OJJDP Administrator Robert L. Listenbee, Former OJJDP Acting Administrator John J. Wilson


 

In Perspective: An Overview of the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act

View the fact sheet "An Overview of the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act." This is the first fact sheet in the In Perspective series as part of the 50th anniversary of the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act. 

OJJDP Asks: What Does the JJDPA Mean to You?

Diamond Lewis, an OJJDP Program Manager with the State and Tribal Relations Assistance Division, describes the significance of the 50th anniversary of the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act in this Staff Stories video. 

JJDPA Legislative History

50 Years of the JJDP Act

This page chronicles legislative changes to the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act from its passage in 1974 to its reauthorization in 2018. 

The History of the 1974 Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act

This blog post captures the history behind the most comprehensive piece of juvenile justice legislation ever passed by Congress.

Date Created: January 24, 2024