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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

  • Is DJJ closing?
  • What happens to Pine Grove fire camp?
  • What types of youths are sent to the DJJ?
  • Where will the youths be sent?
  • Does DJJ provide “boot camp” types of programs for troublesome youths?
  • How do I obtain records relating to a current or former DJJ youth?
  • Who can visit youths while they are at a DJJ facility? When can youths be visited? Are there any requirements for visitors?
  • Does the DJJ provide tours of its facilities to the general public?
  • What does the Board of Juvenile Hearings (BJH) do?

Question: Is DJJ Closing?

Answer:

Yes. Realignment gradually transfers the responsibility for managing all committed youth housed at the Division of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) from the state to local county jurisdictions. The realignment of DJJ services to the counties will eventually bring about the end of the state’s juvenile justice operations. DJJ will no longer accept new commitments after June 30, 2021, with some exceptions defined in SB 823, and will close by June 30, 2023.

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.  In recognition of the impacts the closure will have, a DJJ Realignment Portal has been established to provide useful information to staff, families, and community partners.

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.

Despite the closure, the Pine Grove Youth Conservation Camp in Amador County will remain open through a state-local partnership, or other management arrangement, to train justice-involved youth in wildland firefighting skills.

Question: What happens to the Pine Grove Fire Camp?

Despite the realignment of youthful offenders to counties and the planned closure of DJJ facilities, the Pine Grove Youth Conservation Camp in Amador County will remain open through a state-local partnership, or other management arrangement, to train justice-involved youth in wildland firefighting skills.

Question: What types of youths are sent to the DJJ?

Answer: The age of DJJ youth range from 12 to 25. In isolated cases, a youth may remain in DJJ beyond age 25. Youth who have been sentenced to the Division of Adult Institutions will be transferred to an adult facility at age 18 unless they can complete their sentence before age 25 and are taking advantage of the treatment, educational, and vocational programs offered to them. The District Attorney’s Office or the Probation Department in the county from which the youth was committed can provide you with information regarding why the youth was sent to the DJJ.

There are three ways a youth may be sent to DJJ: 

  • Committed by a juvenile court;
  • If they are tried as an adult and committed by a criminal court; or
  • If they are tried as an adult and committed to the Division of Adult Institutions, but ordered to be housed in a DJJ facility. These are called “M-cases”.

Question: Where will the youth be sent?

Answer: The DJJ has three facilities and one forestry camp that in total house approximately 700 youths. Youths are assigned to a program based on their age, maturity level, educational needs, and individual risk/needs level. The three facilities are located in Stockton (San Joaquin County) and Camarillo (Ventura County). The camp is located in Pine Grove (Amador County).

In addition to the Core Programs, DJJ youth may be assigned to the Sexual Behavior Treatment Program, Mental Health Residential Units, Intensive Behavior Treatment Program, or a Behavior Treatment Program. Each youth has an Individual Change Plan to address their individual areas of risk and need.

Each youth has a Treatment Team consisting of an assigned Youth Correctional Counselor (YCC), Parole Agent or Casework Specialist, Senior Youth Correctional Counselor, Treatment Team Supervisor, Education Representative, and Mental Health Clinician (if applicable). YCCs counsel youth both individually and in a small group, and will monitor their facility program and report progress back to the Board of Juvenile Hearings. The Counselor and Parole Agent/Casework Specialist work collaboratively with the youth to address their areas of risk and need, monitor their progress, and report that progress to the Board of Juvenile Hearings annually and at the Discharge Consideration Hearing.

All youths are required to attend school full-time. Those that complete their high school education may participate in a college program, vocational training, or a combination of both. Many are assigned paid jobs within the facility, such as landscaping, food preparation, or janitorial work. A portion of any wages received are collected to pay their court-ordered restitution.

Question: How do I obtain records relating to a current or former DJJ youth?

Answer: A written request must be submitted to the Division that includes the youth’s full name, date of birth, and YA number. Please send the request to:

Division of Juvenile Justice
P.O. Box 588501
Elk Grove, CA 95758-8501
Voice: (916) 683-7460
FAX (916) 683-7770

The request for information can only be released to the youth, his/her guardian or attorney, and in some cases law enforcement. In most cases, the files regarding juvenile court commitments are confidential.

Question: Who can visit youths at a DJJ facility? When can youths be visited? Are there any requirements for visitors?

Answer: Anyone listed on a youth’s visitors list who does not pose a threat to the safety and/or security of the visiting program can visit a youth in the DJJ. The times and days acceptable for visiting vary at each facility. The best way to determine visiting hours is by calling the facility. In addition, each facility has guidelines that further explain the required apparel, allowable visitor items, numbers of visitors, etc. The DJJ visiting information toll-free telephone number is (866) 801-4977. This toll-free number provides visiting information for all DJJ facilities in both English and Spanish.

Please visit our Locations page for the phone number and address of each DJJ facility.

Question: Does the DJJ provide tours of its facilities to the general public?

Answer: In some cases, the Division does provide tours of its facilities. Please contact the specific facility for more information.

Please visit our Locations page for the phone number and address of each DJJ facility.

Question: What does the Board of Juvenile Hearings do?

Answer: The Board of Juvenile Hearings (BJH) determines when a youth has been sufficiently rehabilitated to return to the community. It recommends conditions of supervision in the community where the youth will be returned. Based on those recommendations, county courts and probation departments establish and enforce those conditions.

During the month the youth is scheduled to appear before the BJH for their discharge consideration hearing, the regular DJJ youth can be recommended for release to probation if they have successfully completed all of their program goals. At their hearing, the youth meets with the BJH to discuss their progress.

The BJH also processes requests for Honorable Discharge. This process of establishing proof of rehabilitative progress is open to youth who have been discharged from DJJ for 18 months or more. An Honorable Discharge can reduce barriers to housing and employment. Apply here.