LU College of Education, Arts and Sciences partner with Jefferson County to reduce juvenile recidivism

The Lamar University College of Education and the College of Arts and Sciences are partnering with Jefferson County to launch a new initiative aimed at providing crucial support to first-time juvenile offenders and reducing recidivism. The First-Time Offenders Redirection Management (F.O.R.M.) Program, set to begin in Jan. 2025, will focus on helping young participants build the skills and resources needed to succeed academically and personally.

The program will offer a multi-faceted support system for youth offenders aged 13 to 16, many of whom face challenges such as inadequate family support and limited resources. Through this partnership, Lamar University will play a pivotal role in providing educational resources, including academic evaluations, tutoring, and credit recovery services.

"We're taking a holistic approach to put the child-and hopefully their family-in a better position. Our goal is to reduce recidivism in the juvenile courts and, ultimately, to prevent these kids from ending up in felony court as adults. This is a small but meaningful step toward breaking the prison pipeline here in Jefferson County. By providing these kids with the resources they need, we aim to help them build a better future," Jefferson County Judge of 317^th District Court Gordon Friesz said.

Lamar University's involvement includes conducting educational evaluations to assess participants' academic strengths and weaknesses, as well as offering tutoring services through Lamar student-teachers and volunteer educators. The goal is to help participants either catch up to grade level or work toward achieving a GED, with the hope of placing them on a path toward high school graduation or further academic success.

"These types of experiential learning opportunities provide our students with the training and the preparation that they need to go out to be successful in the world," Chair of the Department of Sociology, Social Work, and Criminal Justice Dr. Ginger Gummelt said. "It also prepares them to stay in the community when they get opportunities like this, and they are able to network with many of the key players in our area and are more likely to stay in our community and then make a difference as they continue on through their professional careers."

The F.O.R.M. Program also brings together several community partners, including local law enforcement, mental health providers, and industry groups. These organizations will offer mentorship, career exposure, and counseling services aimed at helping participants avoid re-offending. Lamar University will assist with job-shadowing initiatives, connecting participants with local businesses and unions to explore career options.

"Looking ahead, we're also planning partnerships with industry and labor unions to offer job shadowing and mentorship opportunities. While college is a great option, we recognize that not everyone will pursue that path. Fortunately, Southeast Texas offers opportunities to build a successful career without a degree. By connecting these kids to those resources, we can help them transition into the workforce and create a better future," Friesz said.

The initiative targets non-violent, first-time offenders, and one of its main goals is to reduce recidivism rates by providing practical tools that participants can use to lead stable, productive lives. The program also offers the opportunity for successful participants to have their juvenile criminal records expunged through deferred adjudication.

"The program will last nine to 12 months, and upon successful completion, the case will be dismissed. These kids will then be able to legally state they have no criminal record, which is crucial for applying to colleges, scholarships, jobs, and other opportunities. By removing this impediment, we hope to give them a real chance to succeed," Friesz said.