Groundbreaking Held for First of Two New Texas Juvenile Correctional Facilities
Texas Juvenile Justice Department officials and project partners break ground Oct. 1 on a new juvenile correctional facility in Brazoria County, designed to support specialized programming for youth with higher-risk and complex behavioral needs. | Photo Credit: TJJD
By Charlie Lange
ROSHARON, Texas — On Oct. 1, officials with the Texas Juvenile Justice Department (TJJD) held a groundbreaking ceremony for a new juvenile correctional facility in Brazoria County.
The Brazoria facility is one of two new TJJD facilities designed by HDR to strengthen youth rehabilitation, enhance staff safety and better serve communities statewide. A second facility in Ellis County is scheduled to break ground Oct. 7. Once completed, the facilities will add a combined 200 beds to the agency’s capacity.
The projects are being funded through a $304 million investment in TJJD infrastructure, which the department said reflects a commitment to accountability, modern care environments and long-term public safety outcomes.
“We are building a new chapter for juvenile justice — a chapter that can demand accountability, but still believe in redemption,” said Shandra Carter, Executive Director of the TJJD.
Carter added that the facilities represent the department’s first new builds since 1999 and were intentionally designed to meet the evolving needs of today’s youth.
The Brazoria County facility will serve youth with higher-risk and more complex behavioral needs and support specialized programming, including TJJD’s Intensive Intervention, Redirect, Phoenix and Phoenix Max programs. The department said the design will prioritize safety and security while maintaining a strong focus on rehabilitation and reentry readiness.
“We have a facility here that is going to be able to take care of these children, solve the needs they have and be a great place to work for the staff and faculty,” Texas District 129 Rep. Dennis Paul said at the ceremony.
Other speakers included HDR Civic Global Director Gerry Guerrero, TJJD Board Chair Manny Ramirez and District 25 Rep. Cody Vasut.
According to TJJD, the facilities were strategically located in population-dense areas to strengthen recruitment and staffing opportunities, with each expected to create 450 new jobs. The department also said the projects will address challenges related to aging infrastructure and technology, capacity and waitlists, and the increasingly complex needs of justice-involved youth.
Both facilities will include restorative spaces and incorporate natural settings, with outdoor recreation yards, daylight and improved sightlines. The designs will also support safer operational flow for youth in housing and educational areas while improving staff observation.
In addition to TJJD and HDR, the project team includes the Texas Facilities Commission, Vaughn Construction and Kitchell. Construction of the Brazoria County facility is expected to be completed in the first half of 2029.
“Today we break ground. The work that follows will take years, but the impact of what we do will be felt for generations,” said Carter.