BATON ROUGE, La. — Four months after naming Kenneth "Kenny" Loftin as the new Deputy Secretary for the Louisiana Office of Juvenile Justice (OJJ), the state senate confirmed the appointment on Monday.
Previously, the Shreveport native ran the Red River Parish Youth Detention Center, which according to WWL Louisiana's media partner The New Orleans Advocate was plagued by allegations of child abuse, will lead the state's Office of Juvenile Justice under Governor Jeff Landry.
At the time, the newly elected governor announced Loftin's appointment on Feb. 2.
The OJJ heralded Loftin's confirmation by calling the move a "significant milestone in the state's commitment to juvenile justice reform."
Loftin, who graduated with a Bachelor’s in Behavioral Sciences from East Texas Baptist College in Marshall, Texas, in 1981, has four decades of experience working in the Juvenile Justice System.
"We are confident that under the leadership of Kenneth 'Kenny' Loftin, the Office of Juvenile Justice will continue to be a beacon of hope and opportunity for Louisiana's youth," stated Louisiana's OJJ in a media release announcing the confirmation. "We extend our warmest congratulations to him on his confirmation as Deputy Secretary."
Read the OJJ's full statement below:
"With a distinguished career dedicated to advocating for and empowering youth, Deputy Secretary Loftin brings a depth of experience and a passion for positive change to his new position. His previous roles in leadership and vision transformed Ware Youth Center into a beacon of hope for troubled youth in the community. Under his guidance, the facility expanded its services, including establishing a group home for youth and implementing an intensive residential treatment program.
"Kenny advocated tirelessly for the rights and well-being of young people in the juvenile justice system.
"As Deputy Secretary, Loftin will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of Louisiana's juvenile justice system. His leadership will be crucial in implementing evidence-based practices, promoting rehabilitation and reintegration, and ensuring that all youth have the opportunity to thrive and succeed.
"We are confident that under the leadership of Kenneth 'Kenny' Loftin, the Office of Juvenile Justice will continue to be a beacon of hope and opportunity for Louisiana's youth. We extend our warmest congratulations to him on his confirmation as Deputy Secretary."
► Get breaking news from your neighborhood delivered directly to you by downloading the new FREE WWL-TV News app now in the IOS App Store or Google Play.
