Notice to the Public

Facility Investigations

The Texas Juvenile Justice Department investigates allegations of abuse, neglect, and exploitation in juvenile justice facilities operated wholly by the juvenile board or by a private vendor under a contact with the juvenile board or county that serves juveniles under juvenile court jurisdiction, including:

  • Public or private juvenile post adjudication secure correctional facilities, except for a facility operated solely for children committed to the Texas Juvenile Justice Department
  • Public or private short term juvenile pre-adjudication secure detention facilities
  • Public or private non secure juvenile residential treatment facilities that are not licensed by the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services of State Health Services

Program Investigations

The Texas Juvenile Justice Department investigates allegations of abuse, neglect, and exploitation in juvenile justice programs operated wholly or partly by the juvenile board or by private condor under a contract with a juvenile board that serves juveniles under juvenile court jurisdiction, including juvenile justice alternative education programs and non residential programs that serve juvenile offenders under the jurisdiction of the juvenile court.

File a Complaint

If you are a member of the public and you have a concern or complaint regarding the health and safety of a juvenile in the Juvenile Justice facility or program, please contact the Executive Director, Linda Ricketson at (979) 823-3544.

Specifications

The Texas Juvenile Justice Department's investigation is limited to whether an allegation or incident of abuse, neglect, or exploitation occurred based on the statutory definitions of abuse, neglect, and exploitation. Investigators will not address the appropriateness of a disposition by the juvenile court and do not have the authority to override an order issued by a juvenile court. 

For More Information

For more information, please contact an investigator at the Texas Juvenile Justice Department at (512) 424-6700.