Announcements

2013 Governor’s Criminal Justice Volunteer Service Award

Bell receives TDCJ Criminal Justice Administrator Award

TDCJ Executive Director Brad Livingston, Warden Charles Bell, Texas Supreme Court Justice Don Willett and TBCJ Vice-Chair Tom Mechler (l-r).

(AUSTIN) - Senior Warden Charles Bell of Lovelady was presented the 2013 Criminal Justice Administrator Award today in recognition of his dedication to helping offenders incarcerated within the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.

The award was presented by Texas Board of Criminal Justice Chairman Oliver Bell and Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) Executive Director Brad Livingston during a ceremony held in Austin. Bell is one of 20 recipients from across Texas recognized for their efforts to help state offenders and those who are on parole or probation.

“Each of this year’s award recipients personify a selfless dedication to helping offenders succeed both
while incarcerated, and once they’re released,” said Livingston.

Bell has served the TDCJ for more than 28 years and currently is assigned to the Eastham Unit.  He started his career with the agency as a correctional officer and has worked his way up the ranks, having served at the Goree, McConnell, Stevenson, Skyview/Hodge, Goodman and Neal units.  He has also held the positions of assistant regional director and warden over Security Systems for the Correctional Institutions Division. According to his colleagues, Bell is a hands-on administrator who promotes and encourages offender rehabilitation through effective chaplaincy, education and substance abuse programming.  At the Eastham Unit, he has supervised the upgrading of the faith based dorm, and the expansion of the re-entry mentoring program and other chaplaincy programs.  The programs he promotes provide an effective management tool by keeping offenders busy in good program activities. 

Bell is one of thousands of concerned employees and volunteers who donate many hours of their personal time every year with the goal of changing the lives of convicted offenders, and aiding and comforting their victims. Annually, approximately 18,000 volunteers make 163,000 visits to criminal justice facilities and work with offenders who are on supervision, donating over 526,000 hours of service.

Note to media: For more information, contact John Hurt, Director of Public Information, at 936-437-6052 or by email at john.hurt@tdcj.state.tx.us.