Who Are TJJD Offenders?

The youth sent to the Texas Juvenile Justice Department (TJJD) are the state's most serious or chronically delinquent offenders.
In fiscal year 2011 (9/10 – 8/11), 60% of new admissions had committed violent offenses.

• 89% were boys.

• 11% were girls.

• 48% were Hispanic.

• 31% were African-American.

• 19% were Anglo.

• 44% were known to be gang affiliated at intake.

• Median age at commitment was 16.

• Median reading achievement level was 6th grade (four years behind their peers).

• Median math achievement level was 5th grade (five years behind their peers).

• 35% were identified as eligible for special education services.

• 6% were English language learners.

• 83% had IQs below the mean score of 100.

• 72% had a need for treatment by a licensed or specially trained provider for alcohol or other drug dependency or abuse.

• 44% had a need for treatment by a licensed or specially trained provider for a mental health related issue.

• 84% had parents who never married, parents who had divorced or separated, or at least one parent was deceased.

• 38% had a documented history of being abused or neglected.

• 59% came from low-income homes.

• 72% came from chaotic environments.

• 43% had families with histories of criminal behavior.

• 12% had family members with mental impairments.

• 35% had more than one felony adjudication.

More detailed statistics are available in the TJJD Commitment Profile.