Overcapacity at OJJ putting local strain on Juvenile Detention Center

CADDO PARISH, La. (KTAL/KMSS) – In the May 22nd Juvenile Justice Committee Meeting, members of the Caddo Parish Commission received a status update on the Juvenile Detention Center.

“We currently have 15 residents in JDC, five of those are in custody of OJJ (Office of Juvenile Justice). They have a total of 461 children on probation with 54 of them being subject to electric monitors,” said Andrew Randall, Director of Juvenile Services for Caddo Parish.

Randall says the center has a capacity of 24. He says the department has seen a decline in crime, in terms of admissions, with 42 residents in May 2024 to 15 residents in May 2025.

“Before a child is admitted there, we have exhausted all opportunities whether that be community service, whether that be service in other organizations, whether that be electronic monitoring, or other measures that would prevent the admission, yet also ensure the public safety,” said Randall.

Randall then discussed the process of moving an adjudicated juvenile to OJJ. He said OJJ has 14 days to take the juvenile to an adult facility.

“Of course, what we’re experiencing, all around the state, is a shortage of secure beds based on what we’ve been told by the secretary of OJJ, Mr. Loftin. And so, whenever there is a difficulty there, that causes a strain on the local bodies because there is an extended time for removal,” said Randall.

Randall says internal protocols assist in managing the difficulty, as well as a great partnership with judges and OJJ.

The Juvenile Justice Department is partnering with Caddo Parks and Rec, Caddo Sheriff’s Office, Caddo District Attorney’s Office, Shreveport Police Department, etc., for the annual Caddo Safe Summer 2025 program. From May to July, Caddo Parish youth and teens can participate in a diverse slate of summer programs offered by the Caddo Parish Crime Prevention Coalition.

“Our officers, our probation officers, are going to be at the parks with the families, at the clinics with the families, and at the other activities so that their interaction is not just limited to a punitive space such as court,” said Randall.

Another great resource for the juvenile justice department is the Harbor, which is a one-stop shop.

“The Harbor operates as what it says, a harbor. It helps us. It’s a vital tool to the community in terms of preventing children from committing crimes or getting into trouble in the system, but also more importantly, helping them once they do,” said Randall.