DJJ Realignment/Closure Portal
Realignment transfers responsibility for managing all youthful offenders from the State to local jurisdictions.
SB 92 sets a defined closure date of June 30, 2023 for all DJJ facilities. This builds on the Administration’s commitment to providing more treatment and rehabilitative services for youth closer to home.
Under SB 823, chapter 337 (statutes of 2020), juvenile offenders cannot be committed to DJJ after July 1, 2021 unless a youth who is otherwise eligible to be committed under existing law and in whose case a motion to transfer the minor from juvenile court to a court of criminal jurisdiction was filed. If an eligible youth is committed after July 1, 2021, DJJ will process acceptance through current procedures. Youth adjudicated on or before June 30, 2021 will still be accepted and will be subject to the county fee in effect on the date of adjudication.
SB 823 has repealed previous legislation moving the Division of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) into the California Health and Human Services Agency (CHHS) as the Department of Youth and Community Restoration (YCR).
DJJ is implementing the phased closure of its facilities. The decision to close certain housing units or entire facilities will be driven by several factors, including attrition trends, categories of juvenile offenders, and available staffing and program resources.
Despite the transition, the Pine Grove Youth Conservation Camp in Amador County will remain open through a state-local partnership, via contractual arrangement, to train justice-involved youth in wildland firefighting skills.
Throughout this process, DJJ is committed to supporting our staff and continuing to serve the youth under our care by providing programs for successful reentry into the community. In recognition of the impacts the closure will have on staff, families, and community partners, this portal will be a hub of useful information for all.