Regional Youth Detention Centers

The Division of Secure Facilities provides oversight and leadership for 19 Regional Youth Detention Centers (RYDCs) located throughout the state of Georgia.

The RYDCs are secure short-term centers for youth awaiting court to return to the community, placement in the community, or long-term facilities serving youthful offenders.

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

The Wilkes RYDC focuses on providing youth with education, training, and essential life skills. Additionally, youth have the opportunity to participate in treatment-based programming, which includes individual, group, and family counseling sessions.

The Cadwell RYDC now offers a short-term therapeutic intervention program designed for youth with low to moderate risks of behavioral issues. This program addresses individual risk factors contributing to delinquent behavior and promotes positive personal development through a cognitive-behavioral approach.

Overall, the 19 RYDCs provide quality medical care, educational services, behavioral health support, nutritional services, and general programming for the youth in their care.

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

To view a complete listing of our Regional Youth Detention Centers, click here.

For a complete mapping of all DJJ Facilities, click here.