![](https://djj.georgia.gov/sites/djj.georgia.gov/files/styles/flexheight/public/AYDCANNIVER1AF.jpg?itok=P1T_2SM3)
June 06, 2019
DJJ History: Seven Years of the Atlanta YDC
![](https://djj.georgia.gov/sites/djj.georgia.gov/files/styles/flexheight/public/AYDCANNIVER1AF.jpg?itok=P1T_2SM3)
In 2012, the Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) announced the agency's newest Youth Development Campus opening, the Atlanta YDC. The renovated 80-bed correctional facility was designed to serve the juvenile detention and rehabilitation needs of Metro-Atlanta. Before its existent, the closest YDC facilities were located in Macon, Augusta, and Columbus.
DJJ retrofitted the former Department of Corrections adult work-release center that initially stood on the same site for more than 20-years. Going with a renovation rather than new construction represented substantial savings to taxpayers and helped ease population pressures at other juvenile detention centers around the state.
When it opened, the Atlanta YDC was a completely re-designed and safety-upgraded juvenile detention facility that utilized the best protective protocols, including high levels of staff monitoring, redundant double-strand fence lines, close-circuit camera systems, and a control room. These measures were state of the art in 2012 and are now common in all DJJ secure facilities.
In the seven years since its opening, the Atlanta YDC has hosted a wide variety of programs and events that have helped expand the horizons of the youth who have taken part.
Additional programming at the Atlanta YDC includes real-world vocational education such as Forklift Operator Training and Gas Metal Arc Welding Certification.
The Department of Juvenile Justice would like to congratulate everyone at the Atlanta YDC who has helped serve the youth of metro Atlanta and Georgia with professionalism and dedication. Special recognition goes out to those individuals who have spent five or more years at the facility, including:
- Nancy Flott
- Dr. James Freeman, MD
- Deloise Brown
- Glyvona Cox
- Angela Garrett
- Amy Grant
- Dr. Jason Thomas
- Celeste Wells
- Dr. Charles Johnson, DDS
- Dr. Louis Anderson, PhD
- Kydric Smith
- Sheryl Kennedy
- Beverly Jones
- Shannon Wilson
- Dr. Simone Garwood, PhD
- Yolanda Boyer
- Sandra Marrongelli
- Andy Patrick
- Alesia Johnson
- Toinette Phillips
- Thomas Anderson
- Gary Clay
ADMINISTRATION
![DJJ History: Seven Years of the Atlanta YDC AYDCANNIVER1AF2.jpg](https://djj.georgia.gov/sites/djj.georgia.gov/files/styles/flexheight/public/AYDCANNIVER1AF2.jpg?itok=AsQ-wokV)
COUNSELORS
![DJJ History: Seven Years of the Atlanta YDC AYDCANNIVER1AF3.jpg](https://djj.georgia.gov/sites/djj.georgia.gov/files/styles/flexheight/public/AYDCANNIVER1AF3.jpg?itok=pAD8-p1J)
![DJJ History: Seven Years of the Atlanta YDC AYDCANNIVER1AF4.jpg](https://djj.georgia.gov/sites/djj.georgia.gov/files/styles/flexheight/public/AYDCANNIVER1AF4.jpg?itok=03xwv4zC)
EDUCATION
![DJJ History: Seven Years of the Atlanta YDC AYDCANNIVER1AF5.jpg](https://djj.georgia.gov/sites/djj.georgia.gov/files/styles/flexheight/public/AYDCANNIVER1AF5.jpg?itok=CNxk_Xtx)
HOUSEKEEPING
![DJJ History: Seven Years of the Atlanta YDC AYDCANNIVER1AF6.jpg](https://djj.georgia.gov/sites/djj.georgia.gov/files/styles/flexheight/public/AYDCANNIVER1AF6.jpg?itok=Lys2t61x)
FOODSERVICE
![DJJ History: Seven Years of the Atlanta YDC AYDCANNIVER1AF7.jpg](https://djj.georgia.gov/sites/djj.georgia.gov/files/styles/flexheight/public/AYDCANNIVER1AF7.jpg?itok=ilIMti_z)
HUMAN RESOURCES
![DJJ History: Seven Years of the Atlanta YDC AYDCANNIVER1AF8.jpg](https://djj.georgia.gov/sites/djj.georgia.gov/files/styles/flexheight/public/AYDCANNIVER1AF8.jpg?itok=gDQAjE4C)
MEDICAL
![DJJ History: Seven Years of the Atlanta YDC AYDCANNIVER1AF9.jpg](https://djj.georgia.gov/sites/djj.georgia.gov/files/styles/flexheight/public/AYDCANNIVER1AF9.jpg?itok=GXkEwWBv)
![DJJ History: Seven Years of the Atlanta YDC AYDCANNIVER1AF10.jpg](https://djj.georgia.gov/sites/djj.georgia.gov/files/styles/flexheight/public/AYDCANNIVER1AF10.jpg?itok=MfbqJAno)
![DJJ History: Seven Years of the Atlanta YDC AYDCANNIVER1AF11.jpg](https://djj.georgia.gov/sites/djj.georgia.gov/files/styles/flexheight/public/AYDCANNIVER1AF11.jpg?itok=pRosSK17)
![DJJ History: Seven Years of the Atlanta YDC AYDCANNIVER1AF12.jpg](https://djj.georgia.gov/sites/djj.georgia.gov/files/styles/flexheight/public/AYDCANNIVER1AF12.jpg?itok=hhoQV4ko)
MENTAL HEALTH
![DJJ History: Seven Years of the Atlanta YDC AYDCANNIVER1AF13.jpg](https://djj.georgia.gov/sites/djj.georgia.gov/files/styles/flexheight/public/AYDCANNIVER1AF13.jpg?itok=fN7SWNC3)
PBIS TEAM
![DJJ History: Seven Years of the Atlanta YDC AYDCANNIVER1AF14.jpg](https://djj.georgia.gov/sites/djj.georgia.gov/files/styles/flexheight/public/AYDCANNIVER1AF14.jpg?itok=1ngQAv1E)
PROGRAMS
![DJJ History: Seven Years of the Atlanta YDC AYDCANNIVER1AF15.jpg](https://djj.georgia.gov/sites/djj.georgia.gov/files/styles/flexheight/public/AYDCANNIVER1AF15.jpg?itok=xjtGUGgd)
![DJJ History: Seven Years of the Atlanta YDC AYDCANNIVER1AF16.jpg](https://djj.georgia.gov/sites/djj.georgia.gov/files/styles/flexheight/public/AYDCANNIVER1AF16.jpg?itok=A2QgHVg_)
SECURITY
![DJJ History: Seven Years of the Atlanta YDC AYDCANNIVER1AF17.jpg](https://djj.georgia.gov/sites/djj.georgia.gov/files/styles/flexheight/public/AYDCANNIVER1AF17.jpg?itok=WGuNNGId)
GRADUATION 4/19/19
![DJJ History: Seven Years of the Atlanta YDC AYDCANNIVER1AF18.jpg](https://djj.georgia.gov/sites/djj.georgia.gov/files/styles/flexheight/public/AYDCANNIVER1AF18.jpg?itok=2yR-aSHJ)
![DJJ History: Seven Years of the Atlanta YDC AYDCANNIVER1AF19.jpg](https://djj.georgia.gov/sites/djj.georgia.gov/files/styles/flexheight/public/AYDCANNIVER1AF19.jpg?itok=qfW2SVtQ)
SERT
![DJJ History: Seven Years of the Atlanta YDC AYDCANNIVER1AF20.jpg](https://djj.georgia.gov/sites/djj.georgia.gov/files/styles/flexheight/public/AYDCANNIVER1AF20.jpg?itok=PQxQRLwK)