Dallas County has appointed Mike Griffiths as the interim director of the Dallas County Juvenile Department following the resignation of Darryl Beatty last month. Griffiths, who previously served as the director for 15 years before retiring in 2010, has returned to Dallas temporarily to address the issues facing the agency.
Beatty was asked to resign after a state inspection revealed numerous issues, including allegations of neglect and abuse of juveniles in detention. Despite denying mismanagement, Beatty stepped down from his position, leading to Griffiths’ return to restore confidence in the agency.
Griffiths aims to address the highlighted issues immediately, working closely with the juvenile board, commissioners court, and the citizens of Dallas County. Dallas County Commissioner John Wiley Price believes Griffiths is the right choice due to his historical and operational knowledge of the department.
Griffiths plans to implement evidence-based programs that match the criminogenic needs of the children in the system. He is grateful for the support of policymakers who have been open to providing the resources necessary to improve the program.
Although Griffiths hopes his stay will be brief, he is committed to staying as long as needed to turn the Dallas County juvenile system around. This marks Griffiths’ second time serving as interim director, showcasing his dedication to improving the juvenile justice system in Dallas County.
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