The Juvenile Justice Commission was established as the single agency of State government to lead Governor Whitman's reform of the juvenile justice system. The Commission was statutorily created in December 1995 to respond to findings of the Governor's Advisory Council on Juvenile Justice which reported a lack of centralized authority for planning, policy development and service provision in the juvenile justice system (N.J.S.A. 52:17B-169 et seq.)

The Commission's foremost responsibility is the custody and care of juveniles committed to and otherwise placed under its jurisdiction (including the Aftercare/Parole function for committed juvenile offenders). However, the Commission has additional significant responsibilities which include: serving an oversight role in county juvenile justice issues; administering the State/Community Partnership Grant Program, coordinating through County Youth Services Commissions the planning and expansion of local sanctions and services; establishing standards for county detention facilities and monitoring compliance; and overseeing the implementation of education programs in county detention facilities.

The JJC is committed to:

1. providing a safe living environment for New Jersey's men, women and, particularly, its children;
2. ensuring that juvenile offenders are held accountable for their law breaking; and
3. providing to juveniles opportunities for personal growth and skill development through rehabilitative efforts and prevention services.