Specialized Treatment for Offenders Program (STOP)

The Specialized Treatment for Offenders Program (S.T.O.P.) provides a secure residential environment for juveniles adjudicated for sexual offenses who are court-ordered to participate in residential treatment prior to returning home. S.T.O.P. is housed in the Lynn W. Ross Juvenile Detention Center and is operated by the staff of Tarrant County Juvenile Services. The program targets male youth between the ages of 10 and 16 whose assessed treatment needs and re-offense risk do not support direct release to the community without a period of intense treatment. The program requires that youth and their parents or guardians participate in the treatment process lasting six – nine months, to insure success in S.T.O.P. and safety in the community. Program goals include extinguishing sexually abusive behavior, preventing other aggressive and abusive behavior by youth, and assisting youth in building more positive and functional relationships.