Division of Secure Facilities 2025

The Regional Youth Detention Centers (RYDC) are secure short-term centers for youth awaiting court to return to the community, placement in the community, or a long-term facility serving youthful offenders.

The department operates two RYDCs, Wilkes and Cadwell, as transition and reintegration facilities. 

Wilkes RYDC offers a short-term therapeutic intervention program for youth with low to moderate risk of behavioral issues. This program addresses individual risk factors contributing to delinquent behavior and encourages positive personal development using a cognitive-behavioral framework. 

Cadwell RYDC focuses on providing youth with education, training, and essential skills. In addition, residents may participate in treatment-based programming that includes individual, group, and family counseling sessions.

Each RYDC adheres to departmental policy and procedures, offering quality medical, educational, behavioral health, nutritional, and general programming services.

The Youth Development Campuses (YDC) are for youth who have been committed to the custody of DJJ for long-term services and treatments.

Each YDC follows departmental policy and procedures based on federal and state law and professional standards. In addition, each facility provides youth services that include education, health, and mental health services, food services, resident counseling, substance abuse units, vocational programming, and family visitation, among other benefits.

The Office of Classification and Transportation Services (OCATS) is responsible for ensuring that youth are appropriately screened for placement, classified according to risk and need, and are safely and securely transported.

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OBHS is committed to ensuring that youth receive the services they need and manages and administers the behavioral health service program in all DJJ facilities. These services include: mental health, general counseling and case management, sexually harmful behaviors treatment, and substance abuse treatment.

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Juvenile Justice Health Services was established through a unique collaboration between Augusta University Health System and the Georgia Department of Juvenile Justice with the goal of delivering high quality health services to the state of Georgia’s justice-involved youth in 25 facilities.

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The Office of Nutrition and Food Services (ONFS) is responsible for meeting the nutritional and dietary needs of youth housed in DJJ facilities.  This goal is accomplished by providing continuous education, training and support for the food services staff, menu design and distribution and nutrition education information.

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The Office of Victim Services will deliver with compassion, a continuum of comprehensive services that promote victims' rights and supports statewide victim services programs through the delivery of timely, accurate and informative services.

The DJJ Volunteer Services Program Mission is to recruit, retain and promote volunteers dedicated to providing an array of DJJ youth services. The volunteers will help motivate and empower our youth to become productive and law-abiding citizens in their communities.

The Office of Chaplaincy Services supports the Department of Juvenile Justice's mission by ensuring First Amendment Rights to religious freedom, expression, and resources, including Pastoral Care to youth and staff through spiritual guidance, support, crisis intervention, and religious education.

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