Devante Hicks has been named facility director at New Hanover Regional Juvenile Detention Center in Castle Hayne and began his new duties on Jan. 30.
Hicks began his career with the Division of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention in 2014 as a youth counselor technician at Cabarrus Youth Development Center. While working at that facility, he was promoted to housing unit supervisor in 2016. In 2017, he was promoted to youth counselor and transferred to Edgecombe Youth Development Center.
The following year, he was promoted to youth counselor supervisor at the facility. Hicks was then promoted to assistant director/program manager at Edgecombe YDC, and has served in that role since 2021.
Hicks brings a wealth of knowledge and skills to his new position. He is a certified general instructor; a Restraints, Controls and Defensive Techniques instructor; and a Tracking and Reporting of Incidents trainer. He has also been instrumental in piloting the RISE-UP Program at Edgecombe YDC, teaching youth life lessons based in the principles of restorative justice.
"Devante has a high level of managerial skill sets that he combines with his selfless dedication to duty and a strong work ethic,” said Stanley Melvin, JJDP East Regional Manager for Facility Operations. “He challenges himself to be better and expects the same of his facility workforce. He has a warm and infectious personality that motivates those around him to be better at their craft. We once again are proud that we can use our own JJ talent to promote from within and keep our leadership grounded in the tenets of our mission to the youth we serve. We look forward to the many contributions we know Devante will make at New Hanover Juvenile Detention Center."
A native of Louisburg, Hicks is an alumnus of the Masonic Home for Children in Oxford. He earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and political science from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University in Greensboro. In his spare time, he enjoys working in auto mechanics and spending time with family.