Carmella Jones Joins CMIT Team

Carmella Jones recently joined the staff at the Correctional Management Institute of Texas (CMIT), assisting with programs for jail administrators, the Texas Jail Association (TJA), Women in Criminal Justice, and a new mental health conference that was held Oct 27-30 in Conroe. The program was designed for correctional officers, jail staff, probation officers, parole officers, law enforcement, and judicial personnel to address mental health issues in the system. It focused on the assessments for mental health, first line responders, collaborative programs, effective services, veterans and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, medication and reentry.

“We are very excited that Carmella has joined our CMIT team,” said Doug Dretke, Executive Director of CMIT. “In our passion to continue to develop and deliver critical, relevant, and valuable training and professional development programming, Carmella brings a rich level of experience both from a criminal justice professional perspective as well as from a training perspective. Carmella has a high level of knowledge, energy, excitement, and passion that will be a tremendous benefit to CMIT, Sam Houston State University, and the thousands of criminal justice professionals across our state that we seek to serve.”

Limestone County Sheriff Dennis Wilson.“She is a tremendous hire for CMIT,” said Sheriff Dennis Wilson of Limestone County, who served as Vice President of the Sheriffs’ Association of Texas and is a board member for TJA. “Her reputation is known across the State of Texas, and she is well respected by law enforcement. She will be a great asset." . . . Read more . . .

CMIT Focuses on Mental Health Issues in Criminal Justice

More than 300 people attended the inaugural Mental Health Conference offered by the Correctional Management Institute of Texas (CMIT), where counties and professionals presented and discussed best practices in serving the mental health needs of offenders in the various components of our criminal justice system.

“It starts with intake by the officer on the street and goes all the way through the criminal justice system until they reach the end of their probation and or parole,” said Carmella Jones, program specialist for CMIT. “The process is a challenge for all offenders, but for those with mental health issues, there are so many more needs for services. All the counties are facing the issue, but some are more amplified than others. We realize it takes all of us working together to deal with these issues.”

More than 300 people from the medical and criminal justice systems attended the CMIT Mental Health conference.The conference featured a series of workshops that addressed mental health issues throughout the system, including corrections, parole, probation, courts, law enforcement, advocacy groups and medical professionals. It featured initiatives implemented in many counties in the state as well as professionals in the field.

“It was valuable to work with numerous people from all walks of the criminal justice system,” said one participant.

. . . Read more . . .

College Debuts National Organization of Hispanics in Criminal Justice

Wed, Nov 20, 2015 5:00pm - 8:00pm Hazel B. Kerper Courtroom

The College of Criminal Justice is debuting the first student chapter of the National Organization of Hispanics in Criminal Justice (NOHCJ) in the country.

History of the Walls Unit

Wed, Nov 5, 2014
3:00pm
Gresham Library, Thomason Room (Fourth Floor)

The Newton Gresham Library will hold a special presentation on the history of the Walls Unit, which houses the execution chamber for death penalty cases in the state of Texas.

The presentation will feature Jim Willett, former Warden of the Huntsville Unit (Walls Unit) and author of Warden: Texas Prison Life and Death from the Inside Out. He currently serves as Director of the Prison Museum in Huntsville.

Following the lecture, there will be a presentation featuring items from SHSU Special Collections. The Thomason Room includes collections about the history of criminal justice in Texas.

Space is limited to the first 40 attendees. To RSVP or for more information, call (936) 294-1619.

SHSU Distinguished Alumni Named Head of NIJ

Dr. Nancy Rodriguez, NIJ Director. Photo Courtesy of Arizona State University.

Dr. Nancy Rodriguez, a Distinguished Alumna from Sam Houston State University’s College of Criminal Justice, was appointed by President Barack Obama as the new Director of the National Institute of Justice (NIJ).

SHSU Graduate Appointed Head of NIJ

Dr. Nancy Rodriguez, who earned her bachelor's degree from Sam Houston State University, College of Criminal Justice, was appointed by President Barack Obama to serve as the Director of the National Institute of Justice! . . . Read the White House announcement here (last paragraph) . . .

Beto Chair Lecture: Dr. Marvin Krohn

Fri, Oct 24, 2014 9:30 - 11:00 A.M. Hazel B. Kerper Courtroom

College Founder Prospered as Accidential Criminologist

George Beto was the Director of the Texas Department of Corrections.

George Beto, Ph.D., whose name is synonymous with the College of Criminal Justice, didn’t start out in a career in criminal justice.

The son of a Lutheran minister, Beto was a graduate of Concordia Seminary in St. Louis when he received his call to come to Concordia College in Austin to teach, eventually serving as president of the institution. He was later appointed to the Texas Prison Board, which began his service in prisons and the criminal justice discipline that stretched from Texas to Illinois to Alabama.

Following the untimely death of O.B. Ellis, director of the Texas Department of Corrections (TDC), Beto was tapped to head the statewide agency.

After serving as President of Concordia College for 20 years, Beto set his sights on corrections.As the head of TDC, he was approached by a state legislator named David Crews, who lamented the lack of cooperation between the department and nearby Sam Houston State College. “I recall his saying at that time that he would prefer to see Sam Houston famous for a Criminology Program rather than as a cheer leader school,” Beto said in a speech during the College’s 25th Anniversary. . . . Read more . . .

SHSU Adds Faculty in Criminal Justice, Homeland Security

The College of Criminal Justice will welcome five new faculty members in the Department of Criminal Justice and Criminology and the Department of Security Studies this fall.

Changing of the Guard at the College of Criminal Justice

After serving as Dean of the College of Criminal Justice and Director of the Criminal Justice Center for eight years, Dr. Vincent J. Webb is stepping down to become a full-time faculty member. Dr. Phillip Lyons, a longtime professor at the College, will serve as Interim Dean during a nationwide search for a successor.

“It has been a real privilege to serve as Dean and Director since coming to Sam in 2006,” said Dr. Webb. “This faculty and staff have been great to work with -- they simply are the best! The criminal justice/center faculty, staff, and alumni can take pride in all that they have accomplished and they can look forward to a very bright future.”

Dr. Phillip Lyons (r) speaks at the Sundial Ceremony.Dr. Lyons joined the faculty of Sam Houston State University in 1995 and has served in several leadership positions at the College, most recently as Chair of the Depart- ment of Security Studies and as Director of Professional Justice Studies, which links professionals in the field with educational opportunities offered at the College. He also served as Executive Director for the Center for Policing Innovation, one of 17 Community Policing Institutes nationwide that provides training and technical assistance on a variety of community policing and other timely law enforcement topics to state, local and tribal agencies. . . . Read more . . .

Agencies Share Latest Gang Intelligence

Officers from corrections, parole, probation and law enforcement gathered at the Correctional Management Institute (CMIT) at Sam Houston State University in July to get the latest information on violent gangs and other extremist groups operating in rural regions of Texas.

TDCJ Employees Advance Education with Scholarship

Capt. William Wheat of the TDCJ Beto Academy.

Like Dr. George J. Beto, one of the founders of the College of Criminal Justice, Capt. William Wheat wants to be an agent of change for the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ).

SHSU Earns High marks for Online Programs for Veterans

Several of Sam Houston State University’s online programs performed very well in U.S. News & World Report’s rankings of 2014 Best Online Programs for Veterans, announced on May 20.

SHSU online programs ranked No. 2 for “Best Online Graduate Computer Information Technology Programs for Veterans,” No. 5 for “Best Online Graduate Education Programs for Veterans,” No. 12 for “Best Online Graduate Business Programs for Veterans,” and No. 15 for “Best Online Bachelor’s Programs for Veterans.”

The university’s ranking in graduate education programs places it near the top of the overall list of 44 institutions recognized in that category; the online bachelor’s programs rankings included 69 institutions, with SHSU’s rank in the top quarter of all schools on the list. . . . Read more . . .

Genes/Adversity Linked to Crime in Incarcerated Sample

Dr. Todd Armstrong studies the links between genes and crime.

Researchers at Sam Houston State University have found a genetic characteristics that interacts with childhood adversity to predict higher rates of crime in an incarcerated sample.

New Certificate Programs Approved for College

The TSUS Board of Regents recently met at SHSU. Photo by Brian Blalock

The Texas State University System Board of Regents approved two new certificate programs for the College of Criminal Justice -- emergency management and critical infrastructure protection.

To learn more about new degree programs at Sam Houston State University, visit . . . Read more . . .

SHSU Grants Bolster CJ Research

Dr. Danielle Boisvert and her colleagues will study relationships among genes, environment and criminal behavior.

Faculty from the Department of Criminal Justice and Criminology received Enhancement Research Grants from Sam Houston State University to continue their research projects on genes and criminal behavior and domestic violence in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Today's Offenders are Tomorrow's Victims in Gangs

Gang members are twice as likely to become both a victim and an offender of a crime than non-gang members, as single acts of violence often lead to retribution between gangs as a whole, according to a new study.

SHSU Alumnus Bridges Polish National Police and World

Lt. Col. Rafal Wasiak of the Polish National Police.

Lt. Col. Rafal Wasiak travels the world to enhance international dialog on criminal justice procedures. During his 18 years of service with the Polish National Police Force, he has spent time building relationships between his alma mater, SHSU, and associated organizations such as LEMIT and CMIT with his native Poland.

To help keep abreast of the latest information on research and practices in the criminal justice field, Poland has developed professional exchange programs, including one with Sam Houston State University. For many years, law enforcement and correctional professionals from the Law Enforcement Management Institute of Texas and the Correctional Management Institute of Texas have visited Poland. Meanwhile officials from the Polish National Police and the Polish Prison Service have come to the U.S. These delegations aim to learn more about the latest criminal justice developments in each country.

. . . Read more . . .

CMIT Shares CJ Practices with Mexican Delegation

The Mexican delegation included judges and restorative justice professionals.

The Correctional Management Institute of Texas recently hosted a delegation of judges and restorative justice professionals from Mexico on a mission to learn more about various aspects of the Texas criminal justice system.

The five-member delegation, which represented three states in Mexico, was provided overviews of specialty courts, reentry and integration programs, and restorative justice efforts in Texas during the three day visit. They also toured several programs in the Wynne and Hamilton Units at the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, including manufacturing industries, a substance abuse treatment program, and rehabilitation efforts, and met with the Brazos County Community Supervision and Corrections Department.

“This was an exciting opportunity to host a delegation of criminal justice professionals from our neighboring country of Mexico,” said Doug Dretke, Executive Director of the Correctional Management Institute. “Not only did this provide us an opportunity to share some of the important initiatives that have been developed within our criminal justice system, it also provide us a unique opportunity to learn about some of their efforts, especially with alternative dispute resolution, mediation, and restorative justice practices, within their system.” . . . Read more . . .

Study Receives Federal Grant to Study Stalking Recidivism

Dr. Matt Nobles of the College of Criminal Justice received a National Institute of Justice grant to study recidivism in stalking offenses and how it relates to similar crimes.

Future Generations Could Inherit Drug and Alcohol Use

Parents who use alcohol, marijuana, and drugs have higher frequencies of children who pick up their habits, according to a study from Sam Houston State University.

Alumnus Plots Road Map of Success for State Offenders

Travis Turner is the Vice Chairman of Classifications and Records for TDCJ.

On any given week, about 10,000 inmates from the Texas prison system are on the road – transferring among the state’s 109 correctional facilities or going to courts or other off-site appointments.

One of the key people behind those movements – as well as the classification of inmates in the system – is Travis Turner (’96), Vice Chairman of Classifications and Records for the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. His office determines the units where offenders are assigned and their level of custody security.

Linking SHSU Students with TDCJ Jobs

Major Jeremy Bryant (center) visits a corrections class at SHSU.

The Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) and the College of Criminal Justice at Sam Houston State University share more than just an address in Huntsville. The two agencies frequently cooperate on educational and employment opportunities.

Countless alumni, including top level professionals in the field, trace their roots back to their first criminal justice jobs at prisons in the Huntsville area. Once a year, TDCJ offers an expedited training for new correctional officers in between semesters to allow SHSU students to access employment opportunities in the field.

“It’s pretty simple – Sam Houston State University has the best CJ college in the U.S," said Major Jeremy Bryant, who is in charge of training at the Minnie R. Houston Academy at the Ellis Unit in Huntsville. “Not only does TDCJ offer real time, practical experience, it allows students to go back to college and apply what they are doing with what they are learning. It develops critical thinking and well-rounded officers.” . . . Read more . . .

CMIT Hosts National Parole Board Training

Representatives from paroling authorities across the nation participated in a training at CMIT.

Parole board members from across the country gathered at Sam Houston State University to learn more about offenders with mental health and substance abuse issues.

Study Examines Correctional Officer Stress

Conflicts between work and family life were the most significant issues that affect work stress and job satisfaction among correctional officers, a new study by the Correctional Management Institute of Texas at Sam Houston State University found.

In a study of 441 correctional officers from adult prisons in the South, the most significant work-home issues experienced by correctional officers were demands and tensions from work that impact their home life; an incompatibility between the officer’s role at work and at home; and family circumstances that place strain on work experiences.

In addition to work-home conflicts, the perceived dangerousness of the job and family support also weighed heavily on job stress, while supervisor support had a significant impact on job satisfaction. . . . Read more . . .

Building Healthy Relationships with the Press

Kelli Arena, Executive Director, Global Center for Journalism and Democracy

Criminal justice professionals and the media both work to serve the public, but that relationship can often be strained. The Global Center for Journalism and Democracy (GCJD) is collaborating with the College of Criminal Justice to help bridge that gap.

GCJD Speaker Series: Jay "Jaybird" Dobyn, former ATF Undercover Agent

He says his government betrayed him. The same government he risked his life for working as an undercover agent for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

A decorated agent who infiltrated some of the most brutal and violent criminal enterprises, Jay Dobyns was addicted to the adrenaline rush. But his last undercover job was nearly his undoing.

After infiltrating the notorious Hells Angels, the mission and his identity were exposed putting not only him , but his wife and children at risk.

A hit list with his name on it was reportedly distributed through the prison system, soliciting groups including the Aryan Brotherhood and the MS-13 gang.

When he needed the government the most, he says it turned its back on him. . . . Read more . . .

Beto Chair Lecture: Dr. Ronet Bachman

Wed Jan 22, 2014 9:30 - 11:00 A.M.
Hazel B. Kerper Courtroom

Dr. Ronet BachmanDr. Ronet Bachman is a professor and former chair of the Department of Sociology and Criminal Justice at the University of Delaware. She will present "Roads Diverge: Long Term Desistance Patterns for Drug Involved Offenders" as the first Beto Chair Lecture of the Spring 2014 semester.