Virginia Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ)

Description

The Virginia Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) works to enhance public safety by providing prevention, intervention, and rehabilitation services for youth involved in the juvenile justice system. DJJ focuses on key areas such as intake and assessment, diversion programs, probation and parole supervision, residential treatment, education, mental health services, reentry support, and family engagement. The agency is committed to promoting positive youth development, reducing recidivism, and helping young people successfully reintegrate into their communities.

How the Community can use the Data

DJJ data helps community members, policymakers, service providers, and advocates understand trends in juvenile justice, including youth demographics, offense types, recidivism rates, and program outcomes. Communities can use this data to support prevention and intervention efforts, develop youth-focused programs, inform policy decisions, and advocate for resources aimed at improving rehabilitation and reducing juvenile crime. The data also promotes transparency and accountability within the juvenile justice system, helping stakeholders work together to create safer, more supportive communities for youth.

Data Limitations

The data is limited to youth who have come into contact with the DJJ system and may not capture all juvenile offenses handled informally or through diversion by local law enforcement. Variations in reporting practices and data collection across jurisdictions can affect consistency and comparability. Additionally, the data often focuses on system-level trends and may not fully reflect the individual circumstances or underlying factors contributing to youth involvement in the justice system. Privacy protections may also limit the availability of certain details.