The mission of the Office of Youth Development is to provide policy direction, oversight, and support responsibilities for state programs for youth who are adjudicated delinquent or as a status offender by courts of juvenile jurisdiction and are placed in the custody of or under the supervision of the Department of Public Safety and Corrections.

The goals of the Office of Youth Development are:

1. Maximize public safety through appropriate and effective correctional custodial programs, supervisory services, and community corrections partnerships.
2. Provide for the safety of correctional staff and inmates by maintaining an organized and disciplined system of operations that promotes stability in institutional and other field operations.
3. Provide appropriate services for victims of crimes committed by those offenders in state custody or under state supervision and ensure that basic services relating to adequate food, clothing, health care, and shelter are provided to the inmate population.
4. Provide an environment that enables positive behavior change by making or identifying educational and rehabilitative opportunities available within the unit or the community for inmates and persons under supervision who demonstrate motivation for change and the desire to participate in rehabilitative programs.
5. Provide opportunities for making restitution and participating in community restorative initiatives.

On June 30, 1998, there were 9,021 juveniles in the custody of or under the supervision of the Office of Youth Development.

Office of Youth Development has six programs: Administration, Swanson Correctional Center for Youth, Jetson Correctional Center for Youth, Bridge City Correctional Center for Youth, Field Services, and Contract Services.

This agency's recommended appropriation includes $15,504 for short-term debt, including Lease Purchase agreements.

In addition to the above recommended appropriation, $433,106 will be paid in Fiscal Year 1999-2000 for long-term debt incurred on behalf of this agency from the previous sale of bonds. Total long-term debt service payments for the state for Fiscal Year 1999-2000 are reflected in the Governor's Executive Budget Supporting Document in Non-Appropriated Requirements, Schedule 22-922.

This agency's recommended appropriation also includes the following amount by means of financing for payments on the unfunded accrued liability of the Louisiana State Employees' Retirement System and the Teachers' Retirement System in accordance with the provisions of Article X, Section 29 of the Constitution of Louisiana:

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