______In this issue_____________________________________________
05/18/11 Budget update: Appropriations for the Fiscal Year 2012-13 biennium
The conference committee on HB 1, which appropriates funding to the Department of Criminal Justice and other state agencies for the Fiscal Year (FY) 2012-13 biennium, has made tentative decisions regarding the TDCJ budget for the next two years. I want to emphasize that until such time as the appropriations bill is finally approved by the Legislature and governor, all decisions are preliminary and subject to change.
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Mental health and criminal justice update
Have you ever noticed how some words are naturally associated with one another? For example, salt and pepper, rock and roll, twist and shout, or hide and seek. For the most part, these pairings are positive, unless you have poor taste in music. Similarly, there are other word pairings that are much less positive but nonetheless seem to be commonly linked together. One example is mental health and criminal justice.
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Slideshow: Twelfth Annual Memorial Service - Remembering Fallen Officers
The Texas Department of Criminal Justice Memorial Service offers a special time for reflection and honors the memory of each and every one of our fallen employees. We recognize the professionalism and dedication of all staff in Corrections and applaud their day-to-day commitment to maintain the security of our prisoners.
Polunsky Unit Employee of the Year: quick action prevents escape, two officers recognized
On the evening of January 29, 2010, Correctional Officer Robert Griffis noticed movement at the perimeter fence of the Polunsky Unit and immediately called Officer Louis Hearren for back-up. Their quick and decisive action foiled an escape attempt by five offenders and defused a potentially dangerous situation. In honor of their exemplary service protecting the public, officers Griffis and Hearren received the Allan B. Polunsky Unit Employee of the Year Award.
Parole employee competes, meets marathon challenge
While most are happy to watch and cheer the marathon runner from the sidelines, only a few of us have the endurance and drive to complete even one grueling 26.2 mile foot race. Jeri Cornelius, executive assistant to Parole Division Director Stuart Jenkins, has finished 28 marathons including five Boston Marathons, the Marine Corps Marathon in Washington, D.C., the Chicago Marathon and numerous marathons in Houston, San Antonio and Austin...
Prison Rape Elimination Act ombudsman: zero tolerance for in-prison sexual assault
The Texas Department of Criminal Justice has strived to eliminate sexual assault in prison. As Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) ombudsman, Ralph Bales, in conjunction with the Correctional Institutions Division's Safe Prisons Program Management Office and the Office of the Inspector General, works to achieve that goal.
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Correctional Institutions Division Director Rick Thaler in March announced the appointment of Jason Heaton as director of Region V. Heaton is a 23-year veteran who most recently held served as director of correctional training.
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