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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.
As the executive advisor at the Department of Juvenile Justice, his primary duties are to conduct security assessments of detention facilities and youth development centers; function as the emergency preparedness coordinator; review and develop incident action plans; shall be designated as the DJJ CIRT Administrator; shall conduct announced and unannounced emergency preparedness drills at detention facilities and youth development centers.
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.