The Florida Department of Juvenile Justice encourages and supports research efforts conducted by qualified researchers that contribute to our knowledge about juvenile delinquency and criminal justice.  However, because the children under the care and custody of the Department lack the legal capacity to consent to participate in research, the Department is responsible to protect their rights and ensure their well being.

Therefore, our regulations require a careful review of the risks and benefits involved in research proposals, the juvenile's assent, and departmental permission for their participation in research. 

• Mandatory Reporting Statute (F.S. 39.201)
• View Active IRB Approved Research Projects

Please be advised that the completion of data requests, review of modifications to existing IRB submissions, requests for expedited desk reviewed submissions and other requests are contingent upon Department deadlines, priorities, and the availability of resources as determined by the Director of Research.

The Department of Juvenile Justice is pleased to work with researchers whose studies benefit youth in our state.

In order for IRB submissions to be considered for review, the principal investigator (PI) must adhere to the following criteria:

• IRB submission packets must be completed according to the guidelines on page three under Mandatory Items in the IRB handbook.
  • Any submission not formatted within guidelines will be rejected and returned to the principal investigator as stated on page one and two of the IRB Handbook.
• IRB submissions requesting direct contact with youth or youth families must identify potential locations to conduct research using the IRB Research Acknowledgement Form.
  • Principal Investigators are asked to identify possible locations, but not to contact the location directly. An IRB committee member will facilitate contact upon review of the IRB submission.
    • If the IRB becomes aware of PI contact with a facility before a submission has been received the IRB Director reserves the right to reject the submission.
  • Only locations affiliated either through direct funding or contract with the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice will be considered as acceptable research locations.

IRB submissions will be rejected without committee review in the following instances:

• Research requests seeking to contact youth at non-DJJ youth facilities.
  • This includes conducting research:
    • outside of courtrooms;
    • outside of court houses;
    • through mental health counseling offices;
    • external community providers.
• Research requests asking for sibling or family information.
• Research requests without proper identification of secure data storage.
• Research requests asking for youth information that would directly violate HIPAA standards, or any other state/federal laws.