This agency is requesting approximately 150 bwcs to outfit security staff within a single juvenile correctional center (JCC) under its jurisdiction

The Commonwealth of Virginia Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) received a $242,830 Project Grant award from the U.S. Department of Justice's Bureau of Justice Assistance under the Body Worn Camera Policy and Implementation program (CFDA 16.835). The funding will support the procurement and deployment of approximately 150 body-worn cameras (BWCs) for security staff at a single juvenile correctional center operated by DJJ. The goal of this 3-year initiative is to reduce aggressive behaviors by residents, use-of-force incidents by staff, and improve staff and resident perceptions of safety through a comprehensive BWC program. DJJ will establish a multidisciplinary workgroup to oversee the phased BWC implementation, which will include two pilot phases prior to full deployment. The agency will also develop procedures that incorporate relevant state/local laws and regularly collect and review data to assess program progress.

There are approximately 145 youth in current facility population and approximately 184 full time, direct supervision employees assigned to the facility. The facility houses both male and female youth generally between the ages of 14 and 21. The agency plans to implement a comprehensive BWC program to mitigate current issues caused by the staffing crisis and other impeding factors. In addition to the procurement and deployment of 150 bwcs, the agency's goals include reducing aggressive behaviors by residents, reducing use-of-force incidents by staff, improving staff and resident perceptions of safety, and improving the agency investigatory process. To accomplish program goals, the agency will establish a multidisciplinary workgroup to implement a phased approach for deployment of bwcs. This will include two pilot phases prior to full BWC implementation. The workgroup will regularly collect and review data to assess program progress and ensure appropriate performance reporting. Additionally, the agency workgroup will develop procedures for the facility that will incorporate state and local laws regarding digital recordings and juvenile rights. The agency will seek assistance from multiple internal and external stakeholders, including the TTA provider selected by the granting agency. To sufficiently implement the program to the intended scope, the agency is requesting approximately $242,830 in federal funding while providing a 50 percent match from agency funding, for a project total of approximately $485,660 across the three-year grant period.