Youth and Families

Regional Youth Detention Centers (RYDCs) are secure short-term centers for youth awaiting trial or waiting to enter a community program or long-term facility.

Youth Development Campuses (YDCs) are secure long-term facilities for youth sentenced or committed to DJJ custody by juvenile courts.

Community Services Office (CSOs) are where DJJ staff members provide intake, case management, practical supervision, detention planning and aftercare supervision.

Georgia Preparatory Academy (GPA) locations are found at each RYDC and YDC and at three Education Transition Centers (ETCs).

The process that takes place once a youth is taken into custody in the Juvenile Justice system in Georgia.

The Georgia Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) is the School District #891 in the state of Georgia and is accredited by Cognia.  Georgia Preparatory Academy (GPA) is the middle school and high school within the DJJ School System. There are 28 GPA campuses across Georgia located in 19 Regional Youth Detention Centers (RYDCs), 6 Youth Development Campuses (YDCs), and 3 Education Transition Centers (ETCs). An online program, Georgia Preparatory Academy Online, is available for students to complete their high school diploma, if they meet enrollment criteria.

The Georgia Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) offers visitation hours for parents, guardians, and family members at secure facilities statewide. Personnel from DJJ secure facilities will contact parents and legal guardians to arrange visitations with youths.

Additionally, phone and video call visitations continue through state-issued smartphones, tablets, or computers. These calls are complimentary and accessible to parents, guardians, or family members with approved visitation rights. If you are not an approved visitor, you should contact your child’s facility to learn more.

Sometimes parents or guardians can be overwhelmed by the behavior of a juvenile offender or an at-risk youth. There are many resources available that can help both individuals and families. Below is a brief list of potential resources that might be useful to parents and guardians. Individual facilities may be able to provide parents and guardians with additional resources.

Your child has been detained in a Regional Youth Detention Center (RYDC) for either a violation of law, or a violation of conditions set forth by his or her Court Probation Officer, Department of Juvenile Justice Juvenile Probation Parole Officer (JPPS), a Juvenile Court Judge or a Department.