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.

Our regulations require a careful review of the risks and benefits involved in research proposals, the juvenile's assent, parent/guardian consent, and departmental permission for their participation in research.

Important Notice

In order to help ensure the safety of youth, staff, and researchers during the current public health emergency, the Department cannot at this time support any research proposals that require face-to-face interaction with youth or staff. Proposals that require responses from DJJ youth or staff members must specify a remote data collection method (eg: Skype, Zoom, electronic survey, etc.) before approval will be considered. In addition, informed consent documents must include language specifying how the researcher will minimize harm to participants while maintaining remote data collection.

How to Submit an IRB Application

The Florida Department of Juvenile Justice (FDJJ) is pleased to work with researchers whose studies have the potential to inform policy and/or practice to significantly benefit Florida youth. However, due to limited staff resources at FDJJ, the Institutional Review Board (IRB) can only accept proposals that have the potential to make a significant contribution to the field. The Institutional Review Board will only consider proposals that have the potential to inform policy and practice at FDJJ, and/or have the potential to make a significant contribution to the knowledge base regarding juvenile justice and associated policy or practice.

The majority of approved studies are requests for secondary data already collected as part of the daily operations at FDJJ. FDJJ collects a wealth of arrest, case processing, and correctional data. A brief description of the data the Department has readily available for secondary analysis is provided via the link below. Applicants interested in data not described in the Readily Available Data sheet are encouraged to contact the IRB Director with further questions.

Readily Available Data Descriptions

To ensure that the Department promotes research and scholarship among interested researchers, while also efficiently utilizing the limited time and resources of DJJ staff, applicants are requested to download the Institutional Review Board’s Preliminary Review Form and send the completed form to the IRB Director before submitting a full proposal. The Department will not consider full proposals submitted before approval of the Preliminary Review Form. Researchers who submit a review form that meets either of the above criteria will be invited to submit a full proposal for IRB consideration. Please note that the decision to support or reject proposals will be solely at the Department’s discretion.

Institutional Review Board’s Preliminary Review Form

If you have any questions during the IRB process, please feel free to contact the IRB Director at IRB.Director@djj.state.fl.us for assistance and guidance.

Thank you!