In a new video message, OJJDP Administrator Ryan pays tribute to the 50th anniversary of the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act (JJDPA), which was signed into law by President Gerald Ford on September 7, 1974. This groundbreaking legislation set federal standards for the safe and equitable treatment of young people who encounter the juvenile justice system.
Administrator Ryan discusses why the JJDPA was necessary, describes how youth have been impacted by juvenile justice system involvement, and highlights accomplishments made in the juvenile justice field under the JJDPA. Since its initial passage, Congress has updated and reauthorized the JJDPA, helping states fund innovative programs that support children and make communities safer.
In addition, the Office of Justice Programs (OJP) has posted a blog recounting the history of the JJDPA. The JJDPA replaced the 1968 Juvenile Delinquency Prevention and Control Act, marking a pivotal shift in how states and territories approached youth justice.
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