It’s not “cupcakes and lollipops” for most children who visit a parent in prison, with two-thirds reported to have negative experiences including fear, anger, anxiety, and related reactions, according to a study funded by the National Institute of Justice by Dr. Melinda Tasca of Sam Houston State University.
Capt. Micheal Bates and Natalie Isaac are the recipients of the 2015 scholarships from TDCJ and CMIT. Michael Bates, a Captain at the Ellis Unit, and Natalie Isaac, Program Supervisor V of the Counsel Substitute Program, will begin the Master of Science in Criminal Justice Leadership and Management program this fall.
“I am ecstatic and truly blessed,” said Isaac. “I am still on Cloud Nine. This is a huge accomplishment for me.” Both scholarship recipients plan to continue their careers with TDCJ and hope to parlay their degrees into top positions in the state agency.
