Carey D. Cockerell
Commissioner of the Kentucky Department of Juvenile Justice
The appointment returns Commissioner Cockerell to a
longstanding role in juvenile justice and youth programs. A former Commissioner
for the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, he implemented one
of the largest reforms in Texas history, overhauling practices in child and
adult services, expanding staff and establishing a first-ever health care
project in child protection. He oversaw all areas of the organization,
including child and adult protective services, residential and childcare
licensing, prevention and early intervention programs.
Cockerell, a native of Bedford, Texas, has over 40 years of
experience in the juvenile justice system and youth programs. Prior to that, he
worked for 20 years as director of juvenile services in Tarrant County – part
of the Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area – where he managed probation, court
and detention services, along with treatment and post-adjudication programs
During his career, he has held high-ranking positions with the Texas Youth Commission,
including serving as superintendent of a 240-bed youth institution. He served
as director of Tarrant County Juvenile Services from 1984 to 2004.
About the Kentucky Department of Juvenile
The Kentucky Department of Juvenile Justice is one of five departments under the Kentucky Justice and Public Safety Cabinet. The department is responsible for prevention programs for at-risk youth, court intake, pre-trial detention, residential placement/treatment services, probation, community aftercare/reintegration programs and youth awaiting adult placement or court.
The Kentucky Department of Juvenile Justice was established in 1996 with the passage of HB 117 by Kentucky's General Assembly. Kentucky Department of Juvenile Justice strives to promote a comprehensive array of cost-effective services for at-risk youth directed toward preventing delinquency, providing efficient rehabilitation services, and altering the rate of recidivism with appropriate aftercare, while minimizing risk to the community. In providing services, the Department supports and believes in the complete involvement of both the family and the community in the rehabilitation process.
Kentucky has been nationally recognized for the continuum of care it provides for rehabilitating delinquent youth. While many state's out-of-home placement options are limited to two or three large institutions, Kentucky is able to serve youth in a variety of small programs designed to meet specific treatment needs.
Our Mission Statement
The Kentucky Department of Juvenile Justice provides a range of services to sentenced, committed, probated, and detained youth and their families, creating opportunities for those youth to develop into productive, responsible citizens while enhancing public safety.
Our Vision
Statement
The Kentucky Department of Juvenile Justice aspires to be a premier team of professionals committed to providing life-changing services, resulting in the positive transformation of children, families and communities.
To contact the Justice and Public Safety Cabinet with
a question, concern or suggestion, please Click Here
Learn more about DJJ
DJJ Annual Reports
DJJ Annual Report FY 2016.pdf
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Juvenile Justice Data
When reviewing, analyzing, and/or reporting this data, the following information should be considered;
- Data in this report is generated per booking of a Juvenile; thus, all aggregate data is based on a detention of a Juvenile, not on the individual Juvenile. One Juvenile will be counted multiple times if booked on multiple offenses occurring at different times within the calendar year.
- Data is aggregated per calendar year (January 01 to December 31).
- On July 15, 2008 House Bill 384 was enacted to address the critical need to bring the KRS into compliance with the federal Juvenile Justice & Delinquency Prevention Act of 2002 (JJDP Act). This legislation reduced the secure detention timeframes for status offenders and prohibits the placement of dependent, neglected or abused (DNA) children, or “nonoffenders,” in secure detention. Prior to July 15, 2008 a status offense action included Beyond Control, Habitual Runaway and Habitual Truancy charges.
- Effective July 15, 2008, House Bill 384 expanded the definition of a status offense action to include tobacco offenses as provided in KRS 438.305 to 438.340 and alcohol offenses as provided in KRS 244.085.
- For the purpose of federal compliance monitoring, civil type traffic offenses are also considered status offenses and may be included in this data.
Employee Feedback
The Department of Juvenile Justice would like to offer employees the opportunity to submit suggestions to the Commissioner’s Office to improve services and/or operations to youth and/or staff. Your suggestions are important.
If you would like to send suggestions, please click on the link below and follow the instructions as listed:
Employee Feedback