Stepping into the Shoes of Juvenile Probation Officer

Interns Iveth Salinas (l) and Jocelyn Garmendez (r) pose with their supervisor at Harris County Juvenile Probation.

As interns, Iveth Salinas and Jocelyn Garmendez learned the ropes of being a juvenile probation officer in Harris County this summer and were given the chance to climb even higher by suggesting improvements to programs to executive staff of the agency.

TRAS Implementation Internet Broadcast Now Available Online

In September 2013, the Correctional Management Institute of Texas, in collaboration with the Community Justice Assistance Division (CJAD) of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice conducted a live internet broadcast. During this live internet broadcast titled TRAS Implementation,   Carey Welebob, Director of CJAD was the moderator of a panel to discuss implemenation strategies for the new TRAS risk assessment. Panelist included Dr. Teresa May, Director for Harris County CSCD; Dr. Brian Lovins, Assistant Director for Harris County CSCD; Christopher Thomas, Director for Jasper, Newton, Sabine, and San Augustine Counties CSCD; Terry Easterling, Director of Potter, Randall, and Armstrong Counties CSCD, and Roxanne Marek, Director of Wharton and Matagorda Counties CSCD.

You can view the broadcast HERE!

Papua New Guinea Studies American Criminal Justice System

A delegation from Papua New Guinea turned to Sam Houston State University for lessons on the U.S. criminal justice system.

The College of Criminal Justice recently hosted a delegation from Papua New Guinea on a mission to learn more about the American criminal justice system.

Seven top officials from the southwest Pacific Rim country, including representatives from the Prime Minister’s Department, the Attorney General’s Office, police, and corrections, visited the Criminal Justice Center and the Texas Department of Criminal Justice from July 28 – Aug. 1. Representatives got lessons in law enforcement, correctional and court systems in the United State. . . . Read more . . .

CMIT to host TRAS Implementation Internet Broadcast

The Correctional Management Institute of Texas will host an interactive broadcast reviewing and discussing assessment implementation, barriers for successful implementation and strategies for implementation, depending on the size of the department. Look for this special notice so you can actively ask questions and help shape the broadcast to your needs. Carey Welebob, Director of CJAD will moderate the panel. Panelist include Dr. Teresa May and Dr. Brian Lovins from Harris County CSCD, Terry Easterling of Potter County, Roxane Marek of Matagorda County CSCD, and Chris Thomas of Jasper County CSCD.

To register, visit HERE

Leadership Academy Welcomes First Cohort

The inaugural cohort of SHSU's High Potential Leadership Academy comprises employees from the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, Huntsville Memorial Hospital and Sam Houston State. Those selected by their administrations to participate this year include, (first row, from the left) from TDCJ, Leonard Echessa, Eric Guerrero, Christopher Carter, Bobby Lumpkin, Charlotte Anderson, Jennifer Gonzales, (second row, from the left) from HMH, with HMH CEO Shannon Brown, Andrea Harris, Sheila Ard, Calli Dretke, Amanda Wheeler, Raul Velez, Jason Loftin; and, (top row, from the left), from SHSU, Jacqui Wukich, Lee Miller, Maria Busby, Angie Taylor, Charlie Vienne and Ryan Zapalac.

Eighteen Sam Houston State University, Texas Department of Criminal Justice and Huntsville Memorial Hospital employees will spend the next nine months developing their leadership potential as the first cohort of SHSU’s High Potential Employee Leadership Academy.

The cohort was welcomed into the academy by their respective leaders and academy facilitator David Yebra during the group’s orientation on Aug. 9. The first full meeting for the monthly development sessions will be Sept. 19.

This year’s participants include, from SHSU, Maria Busby, Lee Miller, Angie Taylor, Charlie Vienne, Jacqui Wukich and Ryan Zapalac; from HMH Calli Dretke, Andrea Harris, Sheila Hogue-Ard, Jason Loftin, Amanda Wheeler and Raul Velez; and from TDCJ, Charlotte Anderson, Christopher Carter, Leonard Echessa, Jennifer Gonzales, Eric Guerrero and Bobby Lumpkin.

Participants were hand-selected by their employers for their potential as future leaders within their fields. . . . Read more . . .

Investigating Crimes in the Texas Prison System

Capt. Nathan Ward, Office of Inspector General.

Capt. Nathan Ward (’09) is one of 140 certified peace officers at the Texas Department of Criminal Justice serving as investigators for crime and corruption cases within the statewide system that houses 150,000 offenders, oversees 90,000 parolees and employees 37,000 workers.

County Correctional Managers Corral Leadership Skills

County correctional leaders participated in an annual leadership training at CMIT.

Every year, county correctional managers from probation, courts, prisons, jails and community-based facilities gather at the Mayan Dude Ranch in Bandera to build leadership skills to address common issues they face in the criminal justice system.