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Juvenile Justice seeks one‑time transfer to shore up regional youth detention centers and keep hiring momentum
Summary
The Department of Juvenile Justice asked the committee to transfer $3 million within its amended budget to fund regional youth detention center maintenance and to sustain hiring momentum after a recruitment strategy reduced turnover.
The Georgia Department of Juvenile Justice told the committee it wants to transfer $3 million from its community service program budget to the regional youth detention center (RYDC) program to address maintenance, staffing and recruitment retention.
Agency leaders said the transfer would support urgent repairs at regional detention centers, maintain momentum in hiring for Regional Youth Detention Centers and address deferred maintenance from storm damage and normal wear. The department said it is projecting a $5.2 million surplus in the community service line driven by vacancies and that the transfer is a one‑time use of that surplus.
Officials described recruitment and retention progress: agency turnover fell from 43.8% in 2022 to 30.3% in 2024, and juvenile correction officer turnover improved from 97.5% in FY2022 to 65.6% in FY2024. The department said vacancy rates have improved but that delays in onboarding can cause candidates to accept other jobs; leaders asked for funding to keep momentum and to make conditions better for staff.
The department also noted facility damage from Hurricane Helene and other infrastructure needs such as HVAC, chillers and kitchen repairs at certain RYDCs; the requested transfer would allow needed maintenance without creating new recurring programs.
Ending: Committee members expressed support and asked follow‑up questions about specific repairs and long‑term maintenance planning.
