2002-2011
Flores Sworn in as OJJDP Administrator
On April 17, 2002, J. Robert Flores was sworn in as Administrator of the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention. His nomination had been confirmed by the U.S. Senate on April 12, 2002.

September Is First National Youth Court Month
OJJDP and the National Youth Court Center (NYCC) have designated September 2002 as National Youth Court Month. Toby Steinmetz, a member of the Pottstown Area Teen Court in Stowe, PA, developed the theme for National Youth Court Month—"Youth Court: Positive Peer Pressure, Teens Helping Teens."

OJJDP Priorities for 2003
OJJDP Administrator J. Robert Flores discussed these program priorities including Disproportionate Minority Contact (DMC),  Tribal youth assistance, truancy and child prostitution and other topics in a 1-hour satellite videoconference aired December 11, 2002. The presentation also featured segments on research initiatives, information resources, and training and technical assistance programs. 

DOJ Reauthorization Sharpens OJJDP's Focus for FY 2004
The 21st Century Department of Justice Appropriations Authorization Act (DOJ reauthorization), signed into law on November 2, 2002, supports the established mission of the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) while introducing important changes that streamline OJJDP’s operations and bring a sharper focus to its role. The provisions of the reauthorization originally were to take effect in federal fiscal year 2003, but a subsequent appropriations act postponed the effective date to FY 2004 (beginning October 2003).

Juvenile Justice Partners Convene in Indian Country
On July 1, 2003, more than 170 tribal leaders and community members, juvenile justice officials and practitioners, and others concerned with the well-being of tribal youth gathered for a day-long conference at the Navajo Nation Museum and Library in Window Rock, AZ, the government seat of the Navajo Nation. The conference theme was "Holding Up Both Ends of the Sky: Juvenile Justice Partners in Indian Country." Participants included representatives from the Four Corners area (Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah).

New Advisory Committee Holds First Meeting
OJJDP convened the first meeting of the Juvenile Justice Advisory Committee (JJAC) on January 12, 2004, in Point Clear, AL. JJAC was established under the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act of 2002 to advise the OJJDP Administrator on the work of the Office, evaluate the progress and accomplishments of juvenile justice activities and projects, and report to the President and Congress on juvenile justice matters. 

OJJDP Helps Big Brothers Big Sisters Celebrate 100th Anniversary
Founded in 1904, Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) is the oldest and largest mentoring organization in the United States. BBBS's one-to-one mentoring focuses on meeting children’s basic developmental needs and helping at-risk youth overcome challenges. Since 1998, OJJDP has allocated more than $23 million in earmarked funding to BBBS. OJJDP's $6 million funding for fiscal year 2004 is helping BBBS operate and expand services at regional training centers, award subgrants to affiliates for school- and faith-based mentoring, pilot a new service delivery model, and develop a management information system for local affiliates. 

OJJDP Offers Enhanced Model Programs Guide
In August 2005, the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention's Model Programs Guide was expanded beyond delinquency prevention and intervention programs to include substance abuse, mental health, and education programs.

First Lady Visits Youth Court
On October 4, 2006, First Lady Laura Bush visited the Colonie (NY) Youth Court, where she watched students conduct a mock trial. The visit was part of the First Lady's role in leading the Helping America's Youth (HAY) Initiative. The OJJDP-funded Colonie program is one of more than 1,100 youth courts nationwide in which youth who have committed minor offenses are judged by their peers as an alternative to the traditional juvenile justice system.

OJJDP and Office of the Surgeon General Convene Experts on Health Care in the Juvenile Justice System
On March 9, 2007, OJJDP and the Office of the Surgeon General (OSG), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, held a national invitational workshop on health care in the juvenile justice system at George Mason University, Fairfax County, Virginia. Participants included 55 representatives from agencies and organizations with expertise in health care matters related to the juvenile justice system, as well as researchers and clinicians, policymakers, practitioners, and public health officials with a focus on children and adolescents. 

OJJDP Administrator Flores Testifies Before Senate Judiciary Committee
On December 5, 2007, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) Administrator J. Robert Flores testified before the United States Senate Committee on the Judiciary on reauthorization of the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act (JJDP Act). In his testimony, Flores reaffirmed OJJDP's commitment to supporting programs to strengthen the juvenile justice system and combat delinquency. 

Conference, Research Tools Address Disproportionate Minority Contact
OJJDP's annual Disproportionate Minority Contact (DMC) Conference was held October 25–27, 2007, in Denver, CO. The theme was "Reducing Disproportionate Minority Contact in Juvenile Justice by Making the Right Connections." Four useful tools were launched at the conference: The National DMC Databook; DMC Data Tool; DMC Reduction Best Practices Database; and FY 2007 States' DMC Reduction Activities Summary Table.   

Former OJJDP Administrators Participate in Historic Forum
In a forum celebrating the Office's 35th anniversary, a panel of six former OJJDP administrators—John Rector (1977–79), Ira M. Schwartz (1979–81), Alfred S. Regnery (1983–87), Vernon L. Speirs (1987–89), Robert Sweet (1990–92), and Shay Bilchik (1994–2000)—engaged in a wide-ranging discussion about their tenures, key issues in the juvenile justice field, and the future of OJJDP.

Department of Justice Sets High Priority on Reentry Programs for Ex-Offenders
On November 16, 2009, OJJDP Acting Administrator Jeff Slowikowski served on an educational panel organized to brief House and Senate members on the importance of meeting the needs of juveniles who reenter a community after a period of incarceration—a population consisting of about 100,000 youth a year. Acting Administrator Slowikowski emphasized the agency's commitment to supporting these youth, citing several OJJDP-sponsored programs and initiatives that have helped ex-offender youth find employment, complete education programs, and keep from reoffending. 

Coordinating Council Charts Course for the Future
The Coordinating Council on Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention approved a 2010 workplan and identified priority issues for interagency collaboration at its quarterly meeting on January 25, 2010. The four issues the Council plans to focus on are education and at-risk youth, tribal youth and juvenile justice, juvenile reentry, and racial and/or ethnic disparities in the juvenile justice system and related systems. 

AAG Robinson and OJJDP Acting Administrator Slowikowski Discourage the Use of "Scared Straight" Programs
In an op-ed published January 31, 2011, in the Baltimore Sun, Assistant Attorney General for the Office of Justice Programs Laurie O. Robinson and the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention's Acting Administrator Jeff Slowikowski discuss how the use of scared straight programs to prevent delinquency is ineffective and can harm youth.

Justice Department Discourages the Use of "Scared Straight" Programs
The Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act of 1974, as amended, prohibits court-involved youth from being detained, confined, or otherwise having contact with adult inmates in jails and prisons. In keeping with the Act, and supported by research, OJJDP does not fund Scared Straight programs, and cites such programs as potential violations of federal law. 

2012-2015
Coordinating Council Meeting Highlights Study on Serious Juvenile Offenders 
At the February 10, 2012, meeting of the Coordinating Council on Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, invited guests Edward P. Mulvey, Ph.D., director of the Law and Psychiatry Program at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine; and Carol Schubert, the medical school's research program administrator, offered key policy recommendations for promoting desistance from crime among youth who have committed serious offenses. The recommendations are based on an OJJDP-supported longitudinal study, Pathways to Desistance, led by Mulvey.

Engaging Families as Valued Partners in the Juvenile Justice System
At a Coordinating Council on Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention meeting held on May 11, 2012, the council heard from parent activists whose children are or were previously involved in the juvenile justice system.

Supreme Court Bans Mandatory Life Without Parole for Juveniles Convicted of Homicide
On June 25, 2012, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that state laws that mandatorily sentence juveniles convicted of homicide to life in prison without parole are unconstitutional. The decision cited three OJJDP publications developed under its National Juvenile Justice Data Analysis Program. 

OJJDP Acting Administrator Testifies on School-to-Prison Pipeline Before Senate Judiciary Committee
On December 12, 2012, OJJDP Acting Administrator Melodee Hanes testified on the school-to-prison pipeline before the Senate Judiciary Committee. Acting Administrator Hanes' testimony is available on the committee's Web site. To access a Webcast of the full hearing, visit the United States Committee Channel.

Nationally Recognized Human Rights Lawyer Champions the Needs of Children in the Criminal Justice System
On March 14, 2013, Bryan Stevenson, founder and executive director of the Equal Justice Initiative, visited the Office of Justice Programs to share his insights and perspectives on current challenges in the juvenile and criminal justice systems and the history behind those challenges. 

Robert L. Listenbee Assumes Leadership of the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention
On March 26, 2013, Acting Assistant Attorney General for the Office of Justice Programs Mary Lou Leary announced that Robert L. Listenbee, a highly respected public defender and juvenile justice system reformer, has assumed the role of Administrator at OJJDP.

Administrator Listenbee Participates in Forum on Juvenile Justice System Reform
On July 30, 2013, OJJDP Administrator Robert L. Listenbee participated in "States' Innovations in Juvenile Justice: Investing in Better Outcomes for Youth," a forum hosted by Sen. Chris Murphy (CT). In his remarks, Administrator Listenbee talked about the recently released National Research Council report Reforming Juvenile Justice: A Developmental Approach and how it is informing OJJDP's efforts to incorporate a developmental approach into policy and program development. 

National Research Council Report on Juvenile Justice Reform Highlighted at Coordinating Council Meeting
In 2010, OJJDP commissioned the National Research Council (NRC) to review recent advances in behavioral and neuroscience research and to draw out the implications of this knowledge for juvenile justice reform. OJJDP also asked the council to assess the new generation of reform activities occurring in the United States and examine OJJDP's role in carrying out its statutory mission and its potential role in supporting scientifically based reform efforts. On July 26, 2013, the NRC presented a summary of its findings and recommendations at a meeting of the Coordinating Council on Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention.

OJJDP Administrator's Remarks Highlight History of Trauma Among System-Involved Youth
In a speech delivered at the annual conference of the National Child Traumatic Stress Network on March 4, 2014, OJJDP Administrator Robert L. Listenbee cited trauma-informed care as a key component in juvenile justice reform. Administrator Listenbee spoke during a plenary session attended by more than 400 child trauma researchers, clinicians and administrators, family members, youth advocates, and trauma survivors.

OJJDP Holds Listening Session on Racial and Ethnic Disparities
On March 28, 2014, OJJDP convened a daylong listening session with some of the nation’s leading juvenile justice reform advocates to discuss recommendations for enhancing efforts to reduce disproportionate minority contact (DMC) with the nation's juvenile justice system. 

OJJDP Administrator Testifies at Senate Hearing on Reauthorization
On June 9, 2014, OJJDP Administrator Robert L. Listenbee testified before a field hearing of the Subcommittee on Crime and Terrorism of the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee, chaired by U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D–RI). The hearing focused on the reauthorization of the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (JJDP) Act.

Juvenile Justice Coordinating Council Addresses Reentry
At the July 28, 2014, meeting of the OJJDP-administered Coordinating Council on Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, council members and invited experts addressed OJJDP's juvenile reentry strategic plan and activities; research findings on reducing recidivism and improving other youth outcomes; and federal, state, and community activities promoting the successful transition of youth reentering their communities following system supervision. 

Celebrating 40 Years of Working Together for Youth Justice and Safety Administrator Listenbee's message
On September 7, 1974, the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act was signed into law. This landmark legislation established the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention and forever changed the way states and communities deal with at-risk youth and those who are involved in the juvenile justice system.

OJJDP Unveils National Mentoring Resource Center
OJJDP has established the National Mentoring Resource Center to promote effective, evidence-based youth mentoring. Developed in partnership with MENTOR: The National Mentoring Partnership, the center's three components—a website, no-cost training and technical assistance, and a research board—collectively support the efforts of the mentoring field. 

OJJDP Launches TTA360—A User-Friendly Training and Technical Assistance Request System
Now live! OJJDP is excited to announce the launch of TTA360, the new OJJDP training and technical assistance (TTA) request system. Streamlined and easy-to-use, the system allows OJJDP to centralize the intake of TTA requests through a single interface—resulting in an improved customer experience.

2016-2017
President Obama Bans Use of Solitary Confinement for Youth in Federal Prisons
On January 25, 2016, President Obama announced a ban on the use of solitary confinement for juveniles housed in federal prisons. “Research suggests that solitary confinement has the potential to lead to devastating, lasting psychological consequences,” wrote the President in an op-ed for The Washington Post. "Prisoners in solitary are more likely to commit suicide, especially juveniles and people with mental illnesses."

Supreme Court Rules Inmates Sentenced to Life as Juveniles Eligible To Seek Parole
The U.S. Supreme court ruled on January 25, 2016, that inmates sentenced to mandatory life without the possibility of parole as juveniles have the right to seek a parole or resentencing hearing. The case before the Supreme Court was Montgomery v. Louisiana. Henry Montgomery was sentenced to life without parole for killing a deputy sheriff in 1963.

Gault at 50: An Unrealized Promise
On May 15, 1967, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a landmark ruling, In re Gault, which ensured the right to a lawyer for children involved in juvenile court proceedings. Yet, nearly 50 years later, the promise of due process and equal protection for all children facing delinquency proceedings remains unfulfilled in many of our nation's juvenile courts.

OJJDP Joins National Campaign To End Solitary Confinement of Youth
Eliminating the use of solitary confinement and isolation is a critical step toward improving conditions for youth in out-of-home confinement and creating an environment where they can heal and thrive. OJJDP is committed to working with states and local jurisdictions to develop policies that limit the use of solitary confinement.

OJJDP Prioritizes Strengthening Agency Relationships With the States
On March 13, 2017, OJJDP Acting Administrator Eileen M. Garry addressed a meeting of Maryland's State Advisory Group (SAG), 1 of 56 advisory groups across the country that are responsible for monitoring and supporting their state's progress in addressing the core protections of the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (JJDP) Act. The Act establishes federal standards for a minimal level of safety and equitable treatment for youth who come into contact with the juvenile justice system.

OJJDP Reflects on 50th Anniversary of In re Gault
On May 15, 1967, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a landmark ruling in the In re Gault case that established the right to counsel for youth in delinquency cases. Despite progress made over the five decades since that decision, the promise of In re Gault has yet to become a reality for many of America's youth. According to OJJDP's 2003 Survey of Youth in Residential Placement, less than half of all youth in custody (42 percent) and just half of youth in detention facilities (50 percent) report that they have a lawyer.

Research Central: Examining Ethnic Disparities Within the Juvenile Justice System
OJJDP research has shown that racial and ethnic disparities exist throughout the juvenile justice system; however, there was a need to further examine the nature of the ethnic disparities at arrest, in disposition decision points, in the use of secure detention, and postdisposition and reentry, as well as in relationships with other child-serving systems (such as child welfare and education).

OJJDP Launches Tribal Youth Training and Technical Assistance Center Website
OJJDP's Tribal Youth Training and Technical Assistance Center has launched its new website. The center’s goal is to help tribes build capacity to develop, expand, improve, and maintain their juvenile justice systems. The website serves as a clearinghouse of culturally appropriate resources, training, and technical assistance.

2018-2020
OJJDP Welcomes Administrator Caren Harp
On January 19, 2018, Caren Harp was sworn in as Administrator of the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention. During her 23-year career as a trial lawyer, Ms. Harp spent 20 years on the prosecution side of the court system, either prosecuting cases or training prosecutors, and 3 years as a public defender. As a deputy prosecutor, Ms. Harp tried a wide range of cases in criminal and juvenile court, including sexual assault, domestic violence, and capital murder.

A Conversation With OJJDP Administrator Caren Harp
On January 19, 2018, OJJDP welcomed Caren Harp as its new Administrator. Ms. Harp is a former trial lawyer, director of the American Prosecutors Research Institute’s National Juvenile Justice Prosecution Center, and chief of the Sex Crimes Prosecution Unit in the Family Court Division of the New York City Law Department. Prior to her appointment as OJJDP Administrator, Ms. Harp was an associate professor at Liberty University School of Law. OJJDP News @ a Glance staff recently sat down with Administrator Harp to discuss her career trajectory, the evolution of her views on juvenile justice, and her goals for the Office.

Research Central: OJJDP Releases Findings From Study on Dual System Youth
Youth who have been involved with both the child welfare and juvenile justice systems—commonly known as "dual system youth"—often are not recognized and do not receive services targeted to their individual needs because of challenges in cross-system communication and collaboration. In an effort to address these challenges, in 2015 OJJDP launched a data collection and analysis project, the Dual System Youth Design Study, led by Denise Herz, Ph.D., and Carly Dierkhising, Ph.D., of California State University, Los Angeles.

OJJDP Administrator Discusses Juvenile Justice Reform Act at National Association of Counties Conference
During remarks at the National Association of Counties (NACo) Legislative Conference on March 2, 2019, Administrator Caren Harp highlighted key provisions of the Juvenile Justice Reform Act (JJRA) of 2018. Her remarks were delivered at a meeting of NACo’s Justice and Public Safety Policy Steering Committee.

Implementing the Juvenile Justice Reform Act
Congress enacted the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (JJDP) Act in 1974. This landmark legislation established OJJDP to support local and state efforts to prevent delinquency and improve the juvenile justice system. In December 2018, the Juvenile Justice Reform Act (JJRA) of 2018 was signed into law, reauthorizing and substantially amending the JJDP Act. The JJRA becomes effective on October 1, 2019.

Administrator Harp Convenes Restorative Justice Working Group
On July 15, 2019, restorative justice advocates and practitioners from across the country joined OJJDP leadership in Washington, DC, to begin preparing an OJJDP guide that will help jurisdictions implement effective restorative justice programs. Restorative justice focuses on balancing the interests and needs of victims/survivors, offenders, and communities. It also holds offenders personally accountable not only to their victims, but also to the community at large. 

Message From the Administrator: 45th Anniversary of the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act 
On September 7, 1974, the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act was signed into law. This historic statute established OJJDP as the only federal agency that supports local and state efforts to deter delinquency and improve the juvenile justice system. For 45 years, funding appropriated to OJJDP pursuant to this Act has fueled national efforts to prevent child abuse, locate missing and exploited children, combat Internet crimes against children, create effective interventions for youthful offenders, and mentor children and youth before they ever become entangled with the court system.

OJJDP Launches Redesigned Website To Improve Access to Information
On October 1, 2019, OJJDP unveiled a redesigned website at a new web address: ojjdp.ojp.gov. The site offers a modern look and feel as well as enhanced technology to provide stakeholders with direct access to the latest information and news about OJJDP and its programs, blogs, publications, videos, trainings, and more. OJJDP redesigned the website with the support of the Office of Justice Programs’ (OJP’s) Office of the Chief Information Officer.

Research Central: Measuring What Works in Juvenile Reentry
Recognizing the need to more effectively measure what works in reentry, in fiscal year 2015 OJJDP selected the Performance-based Standards Learning Institute (PbS) to develop a framework of recommended performance measures for reentry areas that are key to reducing reoffending and improving youth outcomes. This and other projects produced a comprehensive list of juvenile justice measures, data elements and various strategies to use in efforts to improve long-term juvenile justice outcomes.

2022
Top Story: Esteemed Youth Advocate Liz Ryan Named OJJDP Administrator
Long-time youth advocate Liz Ryan joined OJJDP as Administrator on May 16, 2022, appointed to the post by President Joseph R. Biden. Administrator Ryan brings more than 30 years of professional experience in legislative and justice-related issues, including more than two decades spent as an advocate for juvenile justice reform. 

Top Story: What Youth Say About Their Reentry Needs
The Performance-based Standards Learning Institute (PbS), an OJJDP grantee, held Raising the Bar on Juvenile Reentry: What Young People Say They Need in April 2022, in conjunction with Second Chance Month. The webinar featured a panel of four young adults who shared their reentry experiences and offered suggestions for ways juvenile justice agencies and community-based providers can better prepare system-involved youth for life in their communities.

OJJDP Administrator Conducts Listening Sessions With Stakeholders and Youth
In June 2022, OJJDP Administrator Liz Ryan began hosting a series of listening sessions and town halls with stakeholders, national partners, and youth. The ongoing virtual series offers OJJDP opportunities to learn about practitioners’ challenges and successes, and the lived experience of youth who have encountered the juvenile justice system. 

Data Show Decline in Arrests of Youth for Violent Crimes
OJJDP's latest data on youth arrests for violent crimes show a 78-percent decline since the peak year, 1994, countering claims of a youth-led violent crime wave in the United States. The estimated number of youth arrests for violent crime—including murder, robbery, and aggravated assault—reached a new low in 2020, according to Trends in Youth Arrests for Violent Crimes, a fact sheet released in August 2022 by the National Institute of Justice and OJJDP.

Council on Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Hears From Justice-Involved Youth
A panel of justice-involved youth addressed the Coordinating Council on Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention on October 26, 2022, describing difficulties they experienced in the juvenile justice system and challenges they overcame to turn their lives around. The Coordinating Council met to discuss upcoming plans for coordinating federal programs related to youth justice, delinquency, and missing and exploited children. It was the council’s first meeting since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, in March 2020.

Youth Population in Residential Facilities Dropped Steadily Over Past Two Decades
The number of youth in residential facilities fell 77 percent to 25,014 between 2000 and 2020, according to a new OJJDP data snapshot, Highlights From the 2020 Juvenile Residential Facility Census. The snapshot, which draws on data from OJJDP’s Juvenile Residential Facility Census, also reports that from 2000 to 2020. 

2023
Injustices Endured by the "Scottsboro Boys" Persist Today, OJJDP Administrator Says
At an event commemorating the imprisonment 92 years ago of the “Scottsboro Boys”—nine African American teenagers—for rape, a crime none of them committed, OJJDP Administrator Liz Ryan reiterated demands for racial equity in the juvenile justice system. Combatting racial disparities is a “guiding principle” for her work, she said.

Jurisdictions Should Presume Children and Youth Are Indigent and Unable To Pay Fines and Fees
A "Dear Colleague Letter" issued by the Department of Justice addresses the assessment of court-imposed fines and fees on adults and youth. The letter, released April 20, 2023, also presents relevant statutory and case law, and policy considerations, and outlines circumstances in which the imposition and enforcement of fines and fees could constitute a civil rights violation.

Trace Historic Cases in Youth Justice on New OJJDP Webpage
OJJDP’s new Historic Cases in Youth Justice webpage highlights milestones in youth justice reform. The timeline begins in 1899 with the Illinois Juvenile Court Act and the founding of the nation's first court for children age 16 and younger. It traces cases through Montgomery v. Louisiana in 2016—when the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that its 2012 decision abolishing mandatory life-without-parole sentences for youth should be applied retroactively.

Monthly Calls Connect OJJDP Administrator With Stakeholders
OJJDP Administrator Liz Ryan is holding monthly telephone calls with juvenile justice professionals to share the latest Office activities and plans. Anyone who is interested may listen in, including OJJDP grantees, youth justice advocates, law enforcement officials, prosecutors, and youth defenders. The initiative, Today in Juvenile Justice: Administrator Update, allows the Administrator to speak directly with stakeholders in communities nationwide. 

OJJDP Dataset Provides National Benchmark for Comparing Racial and Ethnic Disparities  
OJJDP relaunched the National Racial and Ethnic Disparities Databook as a component of the Statistical Briefing Book, which offers the youth justice field a national benchmark for comparing local data, helping jurisdictions determine where to focus efforts to promote racial equity. The databook describes how racial and ethnic disparities are measured and identifies levels of disparities introduced at each decision point. 

Top Story: Coordinating Council Focuses on Innovative Model for Serving Youth at Home
The Coordinating Council on Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention explored innovative approaches to youth justice—including ways federal agencies can support local collaborations to increase the availability of community-based support services for vulnerable youth—during its September 19, 2023, meeting in Houston, TX. The meeting marked the first time the council convened outside the greater Washington, D.C., area.

OJJDP Funding To Help Keep Kids Out of Louisiana's Adult Prisons
Administrator Liz Ryan's Visit to Baton Rouge to Announce Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Grant to Southern University Law Center
OJJDP has awarded a $250,000 grant to the Southern University Law Center to safeguard justice-involved children in Louisiana, where hundreds of youth are incarcerated in adult facilities. The Southern University Law Center will use the funding to help the Louisiana Juvenile Justice Reform Act Implementation Commission fulfill its charge: improving the state's juvenile justice system, protecting youth, and serving them in their home communities.

Happy Anniversary, Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act
September 2023 marks the 49th anniversary of the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act. Signed into law in September 1974, the Act established OJJDP and charged the agency with supporting local and state efforts to prevent delinquency and improve the juvenile justice system.

Volume of Delinquency Cases Declines Steadily Since 2005
Thumbnail for "Trends and Characteristics of Delinquency Cases Handled in Juvenile Court, 2020" Caseloads for all categories of delinquency offenses have dropped dramatically since 2005, according to a new OJJDP Data Snapshot,  Trends and Characteristics of Delinquency Cases Handled in Juvenile Court, 2020.

Number of Youth Held in Adult Facilities Falls Dramatically Between 2008 and 2021
Thumbnail for “Juveniles Incarcerated in U.S. Adult Jails and Prisons, 2002–2021”
The number of youth held in U.S. adult jails or prisons declined from a peak of 10,420 in 2008 to a low of 2,250 in 2021, according to a new Just the Stats from the Bureau of Justice Statistics. According to Juveniles Incarcerated in U.S. Adult Jails and Prisons, 2002–2021, 1,960 youth were in the custody of local adult jails in 2021. State and federal adult prisons held 290 youth.

Majority of Youth in Juvenile Facilities Meet Criteria for Substance Use Disorder
An estimated 60 percent of young people in youth facilities met the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition criteria for substance use disorder in the 12 months before entering custody, and 36 percent met the criteria for alcohol use disorder, according to a new report from the Bureau of Justice Statistics.