AUSTIN—Camille Cain, the Executive Director of the Texas Juvenile Justice Department, announced today that the agency would initiate the testing of all youth and staff at its five secure facilities.  The Ron Jackson State Juvenile Correctional Complex in Brownwood is part of the TJJD.

The testing program began Wednesday at the Giddings State School and is intended to improve safety during the pandemic by providing a clear understanding of the spread of COVID-19 within TJJD’s campuses and allowing for a targeted medical response. The program will cover approximately 700 youth and 1,700 staff.

The State of Texas is paying for the testing, and teams from the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) will provide training and assistance for TJJD staff, who will administer the tests. The tests consist of a twenty-second mouth swab, and the results are expected to be received approximately 48 hours after they are delivered to a third-party lab.

“I am grateful for the partnership with the State of Texas and TDCJ, which will allow our agency to conduct our first mass-testing program,” Cain says. “As we see an increase in COVID-19 cases at our facilities, the best way to protect our youth and our employees is to fully understand the situation and respond accordingly.”

The testing program is scheduled to be completed during the week of July 5.