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About DJJ
Commissioner White graduated from Eastern Kentucky University with a Bachelor of Science in corrections and juvenile services and police administration, and a minor in psychology.
Marshay Boyd was appointed as Division Director of the Division of Program Service for the Department of Juvenile Justice effective February 1, 2022. In Nov. 2022, the department developed a compliance branch to conduct random staff interviews and unannounced facility inspections and Ms. Boyd was appointed as director. In this position she oversees the Policy Development Branch, Quality Assurance Branch and Prison Rape Elimination Act Branch.
Director Boyd began her career as a Family Support Specialist with the Cabinet for Health and Family Services in April 2000. She continued her career working in various departments, serving as Family Support Specialist I, II, III, Case Manager Specialist I, Field Service Supervisor, Branch Manager for the Division of Program Performance, Assistant Director for the Division of Program Performance, Division Director of the Division of Program Performance and Assistant Director of the Office of Inspector General.
Director Boyd graduated from Eastern Kentucky University with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology.
Elzie Burgher was appointed as Executive Director of the Office of Support Services for the Kentucky Department of Juvenile Justice effective February 5, 2024. As Executive Director, he ensures the department is meeting all statutory, regulatory and policy requirements, while providing education, evidence-based practices and training support to the department's employees.
Prior to joining the department, Elzie served as the Deputy Budget Director, Budget Director, Chief Financial Officer, Contracting Officer, Grants Program Manager, Acting Grants Budget Manager of the Justice and Public Safety Cabinet and Executive Director of the Criminal Justice Statistical Analysis Center within the cabinet. Prior to joining the Cabinet, Elzie worked as a consultant for Whitney, Bradley, and Brown (now Serco) and served as a Logistics Officer in the United States Marine Corps. He currently serves as Multifunctional Logistics Officer in the Kentucky Army National Guard.
He graduated from Saint Catherine College with an Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts and Sciences and with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Eastern Kentucky University.
On December 16, 2023, Dena Burton was appointed Executive Director of the Office of Operations for the Department of Juvenile Justice. In this position, Director Burton oversees the department's Youth Development Centers, Group Homes, Day Treatment Centers and the Placement Services Division.
Director Burton began her career with as a Youth Worker in 1999. She has continued working with the department since, serving as a Youth Worker Supervisor, Youth Services Program Supervisor, Quality Assurance Branch Manager, Corrections Program Administrator, Assistant Director, and Director of the Program Services Division and most recently as Assistant Director of the Compliance Division beginning in May 2023.
Director Burton holds a bachelor's degree in human services with an emphasis in criminal justice from Lindsey Wilson College.
Larry Chandler was appointed Interim Commissioner of the Department of Juvenile Justice in January 2024. Interim Commissioner Chandler joined the department in January 2023 as Director of Security before being appointed as Deputy Director of the Office of Detention in May. During his time with the Department of Juvenile Justice, he has been instrumental in enhancing safety in the department's facilities, hiring and retaining staff and making positive changes to the juvenile justice system.
Interim Commissioner Chandler started his career in corrections as the Trimble County jailer in 1978. He went to work for the Kentucky Department of Corrections at the Kentucky State Reformatory in 1982, where he worked several jobs and posts. When he left the Kentucky State Reformatory, he was the emergency preparedness coordinator, training coordinator and Corrections Emergency Response Team Commander. While working with the Department of Corrections, he worked at the Bell County Forestry Camp and helped open the Green River Correctional Complex in Muhlenberg County and Luther Luckett Correctional Complex in Oldham County. While at Luther Luckett Correctional Complex, Chandler served on the design team for the Little Sandy Correctional Complex in Elliott County.
Chandler finished his first career at the Kentucky State Reformatory in 2008 when he retired from the Department of Corrections. He has worked as a consultant in California and the United Arab Emirates, training for the American Correctional Association and others. Mr. Chandler was appointed to the Kentucky Parole Board in 2013, serving four years on the Board and one year as chair, where he wrote the first policies for the Board.
He was asked to return to service at the Department of Corrections in 2020 to help open the Southeast State Correctional Complex in Floyd County. After a year at Southeast State Correctional Complex, he was asked to transfer to the Little Sandy Correction Complex to help with the design of the new expansion. During his time with the Department of Corrections, Chandler served as warden at six institutions.
Interim Commissioner Chandler graduated from the University of Louisville with a B.S. in Correctional Administration and a master's degree in Justice Administration from the University of Louisville, where he taught part-time for nine years. He also holds a master's degree in Management from Brescia University in Owensboro, Kentucky. Chandler currently resides in Oldham County.
Stephanie Francis was appointed Executive Director of the Office of Community and Mental Health Services in June of 2022. Stephanie started her work at Morehead Treatment Center 30 years ago, as a Juvenile Treatment Assistance Principle, which is known today as a Youth Worker. While at Morehead, she served as a shift supervisor and counselor. In 1998, Stephanie joined the Community Service Branch as a Family Service Clinician in Fayette County. While working in Fayette County, she held the positions of Juvenile Services Specialist and Juvenile Service District Supervisor. Stephanie later transferred to the Classification Branch as a Corrections Program Administrator. Ultimately, she returned to the Community and Mental Health Branch, as the East Region Branch Manager and Division Director. Stephanie loves the work we do and is passionate about expanding opportunities for staff to gain knowledge and confidence.
Stephanie holds a bachelor's degree in psychology with a minor in corrections from Morehead State University and has a master's degree in adult higher education with an emphasis on sociology.
He graduated from Eastern Kentucky University with a bachelor's degree in correctional and juvenile justice studies and Kentucky Community & Technical College System with an associate degree in criminal justice.
James Sweatt was appointed by Gov. Andy Beshear as Executive Director of the Department of Juvenile Justice's Office of Detention in May 2023, a first for the commonwealth's juvenile justice system. Director Sweatt brings more than 40 years of criminal justice experience to the department having served in numerous roles at the Kentucky Department of Corrections.
Director Sweatt began his career in state service as a Correctional Officer in 1975 at the Kentucky State Reformatory, where he continued for several years to promote through the leadership chain. In 1995 he accepted the position as Assistant Director of the Central Kentucky Treatment Center for Juveniles and position he would hold for four years. Mr. Sweatt returned to the adult correctional system in 1999 as Deputy Warden of Luther Luckett Correctional Complex and was appointed Warden of the Roederer Correctional Complex in 2003 where he served for 9 years. In 2012 he accepted the position of Director of Population Management and served in role until his retirement in 2016.
In addition to Executive Director Sweatt's commitment to enhance the safety and security of the state's juvenile detention centers, he is active in his church, the Newburg Church of Christ, a Hall of Fame inductee at his alma mater, Southwestern Christian College, and a member of the professional organizations of Kentucky Council on Crime and Delinquency and Southern States Correctional Association. He has served in several leadership capacities in these organizations which include State President of Kentucky Council on Crime and Delinquency and has been honored as a recipient of the Mary Frances Cooper Award in appreciation of his commitment to the Kentucky Criminal Justice system, PC Shields Award and President's Award for Southern States Correctional Association. He has also been a community liaison-offering inmate work crews in the local community when assistance was requested and partnering with the Oldham County History Center for an exhibit on the history of criminal justice/impact of the Kentucky State Reformatory on the local community.
Executive Director Sweatt was born in Bowling Green and graduated from Louisville Male High School in 1971. He furthered his education at Southwestern Christian College in Terrell, Texas, graduating with an Associate of Art Degree in Sociology and a minor in Political Science.