Texas Juvenile Justice Department

The Texas Juvenile Justice Department (TJJD) is a state agency in Texas, headquartered in the Braker H Complex in Austin.

It was created on December 1, 2011, replacing the Texas Youth Commission and the Texas Juvenile Probation Commission.

The implemented changes occurred after the 82nd Texas Legislature abolished the Texas Youth Commission due to the scandals surrounding this agency that was responsible from 1957 to 2011. The Texas Juvenile Justice Department was established by the legislature to manage and oversee the agencies that were abolished. There is a board that includes 11 members that are responsible for overseeing juvenile justice services from entry to the discharge of the youth; the board was selected by the Governor of Texas with Texas Senate approval.

Texas Juvenile Justice Department focuses on the treatment and rehabilitation of the detained youth. TJJD seeks to provide a safe environment to juvenile offenders. The purpose of this entity is to assist juveniles to obtain rehabilitative services in order to successfully become good citizens. TJJD also strives to educate youth about ethics, work and guide troubled youth to becoming productive individuals, in addition to disciplining all youth entering registered TJJD facilities.

Juvenile offenders are court ordered to reside in Texas Juvenile Justice Department facilities. The detained individuals must be at least 10 years of age and no older than the age of 17. Most juvenile records are sealed as this will allow the youth to gain a second opportunity, but there are exceptions to sealing records as those individuals that commit serious crimes may be required to complete their sentence in an adult system, therefore unable to get their records sealed.

As well as being focused on the treatment and rehabilitation of the detained youth TJJD has a vision to provide safety to the citizens of Texas through partnerships with communities by being able to deliver the continued programs that help the betterment of their lives. Teaching them the value of not only their lives but also the importance of the community by showing them accountability of their actions and planning for a more successful future in the long run.

Texas Juvenile Justice Department operates and maintains institutions and halfway houses statewide. Several of the juvenile detention centers are public and privately operated facilities. Texas Juvenile Justice Department maintains records and registry of the registered facilities in operation. Detained young offenders can only be placed in detention centers that are registered by the Texas Juvenile Justice Department, under the Texas Family Code.

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