Texas Department of Criminal Justice
The mission of the Chaplaincy Department of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice is to positively impact public safety and reduce recidivism through moral rehabilitation by rendering pastoral care and quality programming to facilitate spiritual transformation.
The Chaplaincy Department provides morally enriched programs that assist offenders in their institutional adjustment and prepare them for successful reentry. A variety of programs, activities and community participation encourage offenders to pursue their faith, reconcile relationships and strengthen their families. Participation in religious activities and attendance at religious services is voluntary.
It is the policy of the TDCJ to extend to all offenders as much freedom and opportunity as possible for pursuing individual beliefs and practices, consistent with security, safety and orderly operations of the institution. Chaplaincy services are nondiscriminatory in the treatment of offenders’ religious beliefs, and established policies do not permit the disparaging of any faith or the proselytization of any offender. Chaplains coordinate and oversee the activities of the religious volunteer program, actively recruiting volunteers from various faith groups to provide services to offenders.
The TDCJ Chaplaincy Department is comprised of over 100 unit level chaplains of multiple faiths. There are two chaplains assigned to units with 2,900 or more offenders; one assigned to the less populated units (under 2,900); and several smaller units share a unit chaplain. There are also six regional chaplains to supervise the unit chaplains, and five area Muslim chaplains to provide oversight to the Muslim services. In addition, the TDCJ contracts for services with Native American and Jewish Chaplains.
Programs of the Chaplaincy Department include, but are not limited to:
In addition, the Chaplaincy Department coordinates the implementation of faith-based dorms. These dorms offer support and accountability, along with a faith-based curriculum and mentoring program. The programming is conducted by local faith-based community volunteers whose activities are directed by the unit chaplain and unit administration. Faith-based dorms are open to offenders of all faiths and generally include:
Bill Pierce
Manager of Chaplaincy Operations
Two Financial Plaza, Suite 472
Huntsville, TX 77340
(936) 437-8684
Michael Rutledge
Assistant Director of Chaplaincy
Two Financial Plaza, Suite 472
Huntsville, TX 77340
(936) 437-3030