Mission / Vision

An Integrated Juvenile Justice Approach

The Virginia Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) accomplishes its Vision and Mission through the provision of an "integrated approach" to juvenile justice. This approach brings together current research and "best practices" in the field to build an effective methodology that helps in understanding and modifying delinquent behavior; meeting the needs of offenders, victims, and communities; and managing our activities and resources in a responsible and proactive manner.

The Balanced Approach

The Department uses a conceptual framework with three components that provide:

1. Control of a juvenile's liberty through secure confinement and/or community supervision to ensure public safety;
2. A structured system of incentives and graduated sanctions in both institutional and community settings to ensure accountability for the juvenile's actions, and
3. A variety of services and programs that builds skills and competencies (e.g., substance abuse treatment, support for academic and vocational education, anger management classes) to enable the juvenile to become a law-abiding member of the community upon release from DJJ's supervision.

Individualized, Risk-Based Services

DJJ is committed to the principle that the greatest impact on juvenile offending can be realized by focusing resources on those juvenile offenders with the highest risk of reoffending and by addressing the individual criminogenic/risk factors that contribute to the initiation and continuation of delinquent behavior. Using a set of research and consensus-based instruments at different decision points within the juvenile justice system, DJJ classifies juveniles by different levels of risk of reoffending. These points include the initial decision to detain, the assignment to various levels of community probation or parole supervision, and the classification of committed juveniles to guide appropriate placement within the institutional setting.

In addition to the matching of the most intensive resources to those juveniles with the highest "risk," DJJ recognizes that successful responses to juvenile crime require tailored, individualized responses to the needs of juveniles, families, and communities. The presence of specific risk factors are assessed and responded to in order to increase the likelihood of successful outcomes. Issues implicated in juvenile offending include gang involvement, substance abuse, anger management, truancy and other school-related problems. The application of appropriate social control and sanctioning strategies such as electronic monitoring, urine drug testing, and various levels of supervision are also matched to the juvenile's individualized circumstances. Incentives such as early release from supervision, extended curfew, movie tickets (donated) and recreational outings with volunteers are used to reward success and improve the chances of long-term behavior change.

Data Driven Management

Over the past several years, DJJ has greatly enhanced its ability to effectively plan for and manage juveniles, programs, services, and other resources. DJJ designed functional management information systems and used the data generated and reported from these systems to better understand the offender population, activities in relation to those offenders, and methods to become more effective and efficient. The Juvenile Tracking System (JTS) is comprised of modules covering the full range of institutional and community based activities. DJJ's philosophy is that sound management of public resources and adherence to our core Mission cannot be accomplished without the input provided from comprehensive data-based practices.

Community Partnerships

While DJJ has the primary responsibility for Virginia's system of juvenile justice services, collaborative partnerships with state and local agencies and programs, as well as with private sector service providers, is a cornerstone of the DJJ mission. Local governments operate the network of secure detention facilities and an array of services addressing each aspect of the Balanced Approach. Within each community, DJJ works with law enforcement, behavioral health providers, schools, social services, and other agencies. Securing services from private providers, schools, social services, and other agencies. Securing services from private providers assists DJJ in meeting the needs of juvenile offenders, their families, and communities. At the state level, DJJ, works with other agencies in a similar manner.

Through the application of the integrated approach to juvenile justice, DJJ continues to make a difference in the lives of citizens and communities across the Commonwealth. Through responsible resource management, performance accountability, and sound intervention strategies, DJJ strives to improve and meet the changing demands of juvenile justice practice.