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An official website of the United States government, Department of Justice.

Youth Justice

Description

NIJ works closely with the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention to support high-quality, rigorous research, evaluations, and statistical analyses related to juvenile justice, as well as preventing and responding to juvenile delinquency and victimization. This research provides information about the risk and protective factors that contribute to or deter youth’s involvement in the juvenile justice system. It also helps the field understand adolescent behaviors, system responses, and the interventions that are most likely to promote positive youth outcomes.

On this page, find links to articles, awards, events, publications, and multimedia related to juvenile justice. 

Beyond NIJ...

OJJDP marks the 50th anniversary of the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (JJDP) Act

OJJDP marks the 50th anniversary of the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act

The Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) marks the 50th anniversary of the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (JJDP) Act, with the year-long observance "Looking Back, Moving Forward: Celebrating 50 Years of the JJDPA". Throughout 2024, OJJDP will observe the Act's golden anniversary with several events, culminating with the National Conference on Youth Justice in November. 

Find Programs and Practices focused on juveniles

The first step in knowing what to do is knowing what works … and what hasn’t.

Seeking statistics?

Access OJJDP's Statistical Briefing Book (SBB) for information and data on juvenile crime and victimization and to learn more about youth involved in the juvenile justice system.