BEAUMONT, Texas — A Jefferson County judge is working with Lamar University to help troubled teens.
Jefferson County 317th District Court Judge Gordon Friesz hopes a new program will stop the prison pipeline. The First-Time Offenders Redirection Management (FORM) program will give first-time offenders a chance to clear their names and get the guidance they need to stay on track.
Education and social work students at Lamar will be offering about 20 teens and their parents tutoring, counseling and mentoring.
"My jurisdiction with these children ends when they are 17-years-old. So ultimately what I want to stop is them going to the adult system and being in jail," said Friesz.
For a year, Friesz has been working to launch a program for teens who have gotten in trouble.
"We're looking at providing additional resources for the children that are involved in the juvenile justice system. A lot of times when they get to us they are behind where they need to be academically and educationally," Friesz said.
He hopes FORM will help lessen the number of cases he sees daily in his courtroom.
"It runs the gamut from stolen vehicles to violent assaults," Friesz said.
FORM will not only help troubled teens but it will also allow LU students get hands on experience.
"We've only talked to a handful of students but they are very excited about the program. It provides them with a unique experiences in terms of the more difficult cases they may encounter in their profession," said Dr. Johnny O'Connor, the Dean of the College of Education.
Friesz says they will also be working with Houston Revision to provide mentors. Houston Revision Director and BISD board member Joe Evans says it will benefit the entire community.
"It gives us some more positive role models to help our kids and hopefully deter some of the behavior we continue to see," said Evans.
The FORM program is set to start at the beginning of 2025. It will run anywhere from 9-12 months and if completed, teens will start their new life with a clean record.
"At the end of their time they're prepared and their families are prepared for them to go on and be as successful as they can personally and professionally," Friesz said.