People

Avery Niles

Avery Niles has recently been appointed as the commissioner of the Georgia Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ). Before becoming the commissioner, Niles served on the board for Georgia’s Department of Juvenile Justice and was the warden at Hall County Correctional Institution.

Niles was nominated unanimously during a board meeting in October, but officially took over as the commissioner of the department on Nov. 2. He replaces L. Gale Buckner upon her retirement. In Niles’ new role, he oversees a team of more than 4,000 juvenile justice staff working at 28 secure facilities and 92 court services offices throughout the state, according to the DJJ. Niles’ primary job is public safety — but as the commissioner he is also responsible for providing educational tools and opportunities to those in the juvenile justice system.