Juvenile Justice Department Plans Big Lifts for Biennium

The sole organization overseeing Texas youth in the justice system has requested funds to improve its information systems and increase staffing, representing about $25 million over the coming biennium.

The Texas Juvenile Justice Department (TJJD), with about 2,500 full-time positions, is using old technology and paper-based processes to operate and would like to modernize, update and replace them, according to its 2026-27 legislative appropriations request.

Requests include:

• $9 million to replace seven of 24 outdated applications to streamline operations, reduce contracts and move them to the state data center
• $5 million to establish a data warehouse that would bring together data from 100 applications and systems
• $3.2 million computer refresh that would allow a one-time equipment modernization rather than piecemeal replacement
• $2.3 million to finish its overhead fixed camera replacement, which is about 80 percent complete
• $1.6 million for real-time dormitory activity data and reporting, giving juvenile correctional officers a safer and more efficient workplace
• $1 million to move paper-based records management to a digital, compliant system
• $958,000 for network security and staff security support

Staffing requests:

• The agency would like to add 14 full-time employees to its IT division, moving it closer to the industry standard of 70-81 IT staffers; adding 14 positions would bring that number from 50 to 64. Adding these will cost $1.6 million per year.
• There is also a request to add a data analyst for the Office of the Independent Ombudsman at $108,725 per year.

And although there isn't an IT component listed, the department would like $13 million to upgrade its youth facilities to keyless entry.