Texas Juvenile Justice Department
Texas Juvenile Justice Department formed in 2011, when the Texas Legislature combined the functions of the Texas Youth Commission (TYC) and the Texas Juvenile Probation Commission. It is charged with keeping communities safe through its role helping high-risk youthful offenders reform and find a more successful future.
QuickLinks
News
- TJJD highlights parole and probation officer stories for 2024 Pretrial, Probation and Parole Supervision WeekBy David Krough, TJJD Communications and Kevelle Wasson, volunteer services coordinator for parole Deborah Linder – TJJD Parole Officer By David Krough, TJJD Communications Deborah Linder started with TJJD in 2016 as a Juvenile Correctional… Read more: TJJD highlights parole and probation officer stories for 2024 Pretrial, Probation and Parole Supervision Week
- Beryl projected to strengthen to hurricane, make landfall on Texas’s midcoastBy TJJD Communications Texans are urged to make final preparations in advance of the Tropical Storm Beryl likely strengthening to a hurricane and making landfall along the central Texas coast sometime early Monday. Acting Governor… Read more: Beryl projected to strengthen to hurricane, make landfall on Texas’s midcoast
- Longtime Mart campus warehouse inventory specialist Jerry Forrest to hang up his CAPPSBy David N. Krough, Communications Specialist After overseeing massive changes at TJJD/TYC over 23 years, Jerry Forrest is moving on. Forrest, Inventory and Store Specialist, started at the McLennan County State Juvenile Correctional Facility in… Read more: Longtime Mart campus warehouse inventory specialist Jerry Forrest to hang up his CAPPS
![Shandra Carter](https://www.tjjd.texas.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Shandra-Carter.jpg)
Executive Director
Welcome from Executive Director Shandra Carter
At TJJD we help young people and protect communities
Here at TJJD, our staff commit every day to keeping Texas communities safe and helping young people find a brighter, law-abiding future worth living. We believe deeply that the critical public service we provide is integral to keeping Texas strong. Our agency values are safety, accountability and transparency and we trust you will see those reflected throughout our website, where you can learn more about TJJD, our probation partners and our unified state juvenile justice system.
Texas Juvenile Justice by the Numbers
For more information, visit the Research and Legislative page and the TJJD Data and Statistics page.
Upcoming Meetings and Events
TJJD GOVERNING BOARD
![Shandra Carter presents to the Board.](https://www.tjjd.texas.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/0000_Waco-Board-Meeting-3.jpg)
The 9-member governing board meets several times a year at locations across the state. The public is welcome to attend.
- Date: Friday, August 9, 2024
- Location: George H.W. Bush Building, Room 4.300, 1801 Congress Ave., Austin, Texas 78701
- Registration»
- Agenda»
- This meeting will be both livestreamed and open to the public.
ADVISORY COUNCIL
![The Advisory Board is in session.](https://www.tjjd.texas.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/AdvisoryBoard.jpg)
The 13-member Advisory Council on Juvenile Services assists TJJD with long-range planning and review of operations.
- Date: Friday, October 18, 2024 at 10:00 a.m.
- Location: This meeting will take place virtually on Teams.
- Meeting materials »
OIG TRAINING ADVISORY BOARD
![Daniel Guajardo being sworn in.](https://www.tjjd.texas.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Guajardo-Jarrett-sml-2-768x516-1.jpg)
The five-member Advisory Board serves to further the education of the members of the Office of Inspector General.
- Date: Wednesday, September 27, 2023 at 10:00 a.m.
- Location: Brown-Heatly Building (4900 N. Lamar in Austin), Room 5320.
- Meeting materials »
Inside the Texas system
Understanding Juvenile Justice
![A group of Probation Services staffmembers sitting at a table and working with youth.](https://www.tjjd.texas.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Hidalgo6-sml-300x160-1.jpg)
Hidalgo diversion program focuses on family skills
Across Texas, counties receive state-backed grants to tailor programs to their needs.
![Texas Juvenile Justice Population](https://www.tjjd.texas.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Population-chart-01-01.png)
Texas Juvenile Justice Population
In Texas, of the youth referred to the juvenile justice system only about 1 percent were committed to TJJD.
![Texas’ Juvenile Commitment Rate](https://www.tjjd.texas.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Texas-Juvenile-Commitment-Rate.png)
Texas’ Juvenile Commitment Rate
The state ranks 27th in overall rate of commitments, putting the state in the middle for how many juveniles per capita it commits to secure care.