The Department of Justice Announces New Leadership in Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention

WASHINGTON, Jan. 18, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Assistant Attorney General for the Office of Justice Programs Laurie O. Robinson today announced the White House designation of Melodee Hanes as the principal deputy administrator for the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP). After nearly three years of serving as acting administrator for OJJDP, Jeff Slowikowski has decided to step down and will serve as OJJDP's acting deputy administrator for policy. Hanes will now serve as the acting administrator for OJJDP.

"We have welcomed the expertise and energy that Melodee Hanes has brought to the office in her role as counselor to the acting administrator--and will continue to bring to her new leadership role. Improving the quality of life for children, while ensuring their safety, is a priority for the Attorney General and I look forward to her leadership within the Office of Justice Programs," said Assistant Attorney General Robinson. "I want to thank Jeff for his exceptional service. Jeff's leadership has been vital to the important work of OJJDP and to the many successes we have had in the office over the past three years."

During his tenure as acting administrator, Slowikowski oversaw distribution of more than $1.5 billion in funding to support juvenile programs, including $50 million for the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Forces under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. He revitalized OJJDP's research program, helped OJJDP launch important work in areas such as school discipline and tribal and military-youth mentoring, and oversaw OJJDP's national symposium, a meeting of over 3,000 youth professionals.

Before serving as counselor to the acting administrator, Hanes spent 16 years as a deputy county attorney in Des Moines, Iowa, and Billings, Mont., primarily prosecuting child abuse, sexual assault and homicide cases. She has trained child protection investigators and served as an adjunct professor of law at Drake University, where she taught child abuse law, forensic medicine and forensic law. Hanes is a graduate of Drake University Law School.

OJJDP, a component of the Office of Justice Programs (OJP), supports states, local communities and tribal jurisdictions in their efforts to develop and implement effective programs for juveniles. The office strives to strengthen the juvenile justice system's efforts to protect public safety, hold offenders accountable and provide services that address the needs of youth and their families. Through its components, OJJDP sponsors research; program and training initiatives; develops priorities and goals; sets policies to guide federal juvenile justice issues; disseminates information about juvenile justice issues, and awards funds to states to support local programming.

The Office of Justice Programs, headed by Assistant Attorney General Laurie O. Robinson, provides federal leadership in developing the nation's capacity to prevent and control crime, administer justice and assist victims. OJP has six components: the Bureau of Justice Assistance, the Bureau of Justice Statistics, the National Institute of Justice, the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, the Office for Victims of Crime, and the Office of Sex Offender Sentencing, Monitoring, Apprehending, Registering and Tracking. More information about OJP can be found at www.ojp.gov.

SOURCE U.S. Department of Justice - Office of Justice Programs