DJJ Realignment overview
In 2020, Governor Gavin Newsom signed legislation to close California's youth prison system: the Division of Juvenile Justice (DJJ). Counties are now responsible for supporting the needs of young people who were previously eligible for DJJ commitments: young people with sustained charges for the most serious offenses.
In passing this major reform, the legislature cited evidence that when youth remain connected to their families and communities, they are more successful, they have lower recidivism rates, and they are more prepared for their transition back into the community.
This shift of responsibilities and funding from the state to the counties is called “DJJ Realignment."
DJJ Realignment reforms
As of July 1, 2021, judges can no longer commit youth to the Division of Juvenile Justice (DJJ).
Counties are now required to operate, utilize, or have access to a Secure Youth Treatment Facility (SYTF). A Secure Youth Treatment Facility is a locked residential facility that provides programming, treatment, and education for the DJJ Realignment target population.
The DJJ Realignment target population includes young people who are:
- Age 14 to 25
- Found by the Juvenile Delinquency Court to have committed a serious offense, defined as:
- WIC 707(b) offenses, including murder, attempted murder, arson, robbery, rape, kidnapping, assault with great bodily injury, and several other serious and/or violent acts
- PC 290.008 sex offenses
In San Francisco, the DJJ Realignment target population consists mostly of youth living in the community who are on probation. There are also a small number of young people committed to the Secure Youth Treatment Facility, which is located in the San Francisco Juvenile Justice Center.
Our purpose
As part of DJJ Realignment, each county must form a subcommittee of their local Juvenile Justice Coordinating Council.
The subcommittee must:
- Create a plan for how the county will provide care for the DJJ Realignment population
- Submit the plan for approval to the new state Office of Youth and Community Restoration (OYCR)
This plan makes the county eligible for state funding called the Juvenile Justice Realignment Block Grant (JJRBG). Every year, the subcommittee must submit the plan to the Office of Youth and Community Restoration by May 1, regardless of changes to the plan. To continue receiving state funding, the subcommittee must meet at least two times per year.
DJJ Realignment Subcommittee membership
In addition to the 10 statutorily required seats, San Francisco’s DJJ Realignment Subcommittee includes 5 additional members—resulting in a total of 9 community members and youth justice advocates on the subcommittee. The Chief Probation Officer of the Juvenile Probation Department chairs the subcommittee.