Press Releases: 2018

The Georgia Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) held its annual winter high school commencement ceremony for youth attending the Georgia Preparatory Academy on December 14th at the Atlanta Youth Detention Center, in Atlanta, Georgia. DJJ Commissioner Avery D. Niles presented 19 High School Diplomas, 44 General Equivalency Degrees (GED) and 36 Technical Certificates of Credit to qualifying students.

The Georgia Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) will hold a Career Fair on Thursday, December 6, at the Jefferson County Leisure and Senior Center from 9:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m.

Department of Juvenile Justice Commissioner Avery D. Niles is proud to announce that DJJ Board Member Angie Holt is soon to be named recipient of the 2018 ‘Heritage Award’ by the International Association of Women Police (IAWP). Holt is highly regarded throughout the upper  echelon of Georgia law enforcement for her public service spanning 45 years as a peace officer. She also represents Georgia’s 8th Congressional District as a two-term Board Member providing her professional guidance to the Department of Juvenile Justice. 

Throughout the month of May, DJJ recruiters will hold on-site interviews for Juvenile Correctional Officer (JCO) and Food Service Worker positions for the following DJJ facilities: Wilkes Regional Youth Detention Center (RYDC) in Washington; Claxton RYDC in Claxton; Marietta RYDC in Marietta and the Atlanta Youth Development Campus (YDC).

On Thursday, May 10, 2018, DJJ recruiters will hold on-site interviews at the Wilkes Regional Youth Detention Center (RYDC) for Juvenile Correctional Officer (JCO) positions.

Georgia Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) Commissioner Avery D. Niles is pleased to announce the appointment of Pamela Johnson as Deputy Commissioner for the Division of Secure Detention, with oversight of DJJ’s 19 Regional Youth Detention Centers (RYDCs).

Alberto Rodriguez, a youth at the Elbert Shaw Regional Youth Detention Center (RYDC), is inspiring his fellow classmates and staff through art.

Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) Commissioner Avery D. Niles is pleased to announce that Savannah educator Tammie Waters Colson was a finalist for the Georgia Preparatory Academy’s (GPA) 2017 Teacher of the Year. Colson was recognized for her service during a special presentation at the State of Georgia’s Tift College campus in Forsyth.

Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) Commissioner Avery D. Niles is pleased to announce that Atlanta educator Sandra Marrongelli was a finalist for the Georgia Preparatory Academy’s (GPA) 2017 Teacher of the Year. Marrongelli was recognized for her service during a special presentation at the State of Georgia’s Tift College campus in Forsyth.

Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) Commissioner Avery D. Niles is pleased to announce that Macon educator Sam Hicks Queener, Jr. was a finalist for the Georgia Preparatory Academy’s (GPA) 2017 Teacher of the Year. Queener was recognized for his service during a special presentation at the State of Georgia’s Tift College campus in Forsyth.