Tennessee Commission on Children and Youth

Juvenile Justice

The four core requirements of the act are to:

• deinstitutionalize status offenders;
• remove children from adult jails;
• separate children from adult offenders; and
• address minority overrepresentation  in secure confinement.

To assure compliance with these requirements, TCCY conducts periodic on-site monitoring of all jails and detention facilities in Tennessee. TCCY also performs on-site monitoring of programs awarded funds through TCCY and distributes state and federal funds to counties and community programs to prevent delinquency or improve services for children involved with juvenile courts. Current grant recipients are

TCCY oversees the Disproportionate Minority Confinement Task Force, which works with local communities to address the overrepresentation of minorities in secure facilities. Also, in collaboration with other state agencies, the courts, schools and community-based organizations, TCCY provides training and technical assistance on grant applications and compliance with the JJDP act.

TCCY evaluates a representative sample of all children in state custody annually through the CPORT Program. A report has been produced identifying similarities between children in custody because they were adjudicated delinquent and those found to be neglected and abused.

A list of Juvenile Detention Centers, Temporary Holding Facilities and Youth Development Centers is also available.