The Tarrant County Sheriff’s Office is celebrating the latest graduates of its Journey to Success reentry program, a 40-hour curriculum designed to help inmates build skills and prepare for life after incarceration.
Graduates completed training in key areas such as Mental Health, Family Nurturing, and Job Readiness. The ceremony drew several notable guests, including Farmers Branch Mayor, Arlington Municipal Court Judge Danielle Dulaney, representatives from the Fort Worth City Council, UNT Dallas, and Chief of Inmate Services for the Tarrant County Sheriff’s Office, Roy D. Kurban.
The Journey to Success program is part of Pathways to HOPE (Helping Offenders Pursue Excellence), a larger initiative launched in partnership with the non-profit One CommunityUSA. Established in 2021 and implemented inside the jail in 2022 following COVID-19 delays, Pathways to HOPE focuses on reentry, diversion, restorative justice, and mentoring.
The goal is to equip inmates with tools to succeed beyond the jail walls, from securing housing and employment to improving mental health and family connections. The program emphasizes a long-term approach, working with participants during incarceration and after release to reduce recidivism and promote stability.
Program Director Tomas “Tom” Cruz, a retired U.S. Army First Sergeant, leads by example, sharing his own struggles—including a past suicide attempt—to inspire participants to commit to change and build better futures.
Sheriff’s officials say the program reflects their commitment to not only maintaining public safety but also helping individuals reenter society as productive, law-abiding citizens.
