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One of my goals this year (and I know it is for most in corrections) is to create a more positive workplace. As I focus on this goal, I recently came across an article by Robin Sharma, best selling author of Greatness Guide. The article provided some meaningful insights for me and I wanted to share the thoughts with each of you. The following are the words of Robin Sharma:

“Anyone can be a leader. Leadership is not about the size of your office or the prestige of your title. And it’s not just for the CEO. We all can lead - in all we do. To me, true leadership is more about the depth of your commitment and the strength of your character than about the position you hold.

I write a lot about a phrase I’ve been sharing with business clients around the world. It’s a simple one that speaks to the power each of us has to craft a world class career and remarkably successful life: Lead without a title.

To me, leadership is a way of being. It’s about inspiring all of those who surround you to realize their gifts and stand for personal greatness. It’s about taking responsibility for every dimension of your life (versus blaming others for what’s not working). It’s about devoting yourself to excellence in every pursuit and making things better - no matter how good they already are.

Leadership is also about connecting to people. Deeply. Genuinely. Because business and life are really about people and relationships.

Any person who wants to lead - and live - a remarkable life can. Teachers can lead. Entrepreneurs can lead. Yes, even those of us in the corrections profession can be leaders. As Mark Twain once wrote, ‘If everyone was satisfied with himself there would be no heroes.’”

My goal this year is to practice these words. Life, after all, is a series of choices. Each day we have the choice to fill the pages of our day with positive decisions and kind actions or we can choose to let other factors determine the story. I believe if we do practice the leadership insights of Robin Sharma, our work places will be more positive and our business lives more complete.

As part of our association goal to provide leadership in the corrections field, I encourage you to review the information in this issue highlighting the 2008 TCA Conference. Strengthening Public Safety Through Collaboration will be three days of outstanding education and training in the wonderful setting of Moody Gardens, Galveston. Conference Chair Bryan Collier has assembled topics that cut across all areas of corrections. We have included a Conference registration form so you can register today. Don’t be left out!

See you in Galveston.

TCA Launches New Membership Drive

Gerald Garrett TCA Membership Chair and Board Member recently announced a new effort to build TCA membership. According to Garrett, “TCA is starting the New Year with a membership drive. Our goal is to at least double the size of our association in 2006! The cornerstone of our membership drive is an “Every Member Recruit One New Member” campaign.” Garrett added, “We believe the time is right for TCA to return to its stature as one of the premier correctional organizations in our nation.” Please pass this newsletter to one of your colleagues and ask them to join you as a TCA member.

TCA Member Highlight: Judy Briscoe

How many years have you been in the corrections field and what specific area of corrections are you involved?

I began working for the Texas Youth Council in October 1973. When the Legislature created the Texas Juvenile Probation Commission in 1981, I was transferred to TJPC and worked there until 1991. In 1993 I returned to the Texas Youth Commission and retired in August 2000. I am still active in corrections on a volunteer basis, chairing the Texas Advisory Committee on Offenders with Medical and Mental Impairments and the Children’s Initiative Committee of the American Correctional Association.

What motivated your interest in a corrections career and what are the three biggest changes you have witnessed over your career?

When I began in 1973, it was a month after Judge Justice handed down his federal court order against TYC. Ron Jackson was appointed the new director and he was dynamic. He also hired an incredibly young, dedicated and enthusiastic staff that were determined to create the best child care/juvenile justice agency in the country. It was an exciting time that I wouldn’t trade for anything.

The three major changes that I have witnessed are that we incarcerate too many people, many of whom would be better served at a community level; there is a much higher incidence of serious mental illness and intractable substance abuse among our clientele, and correctional professionals are more accountable to funding entities and the public through performance and outcome measures as well as standards.

What are the three biggest challenges you see facing the corrections field in the next three years?

With so many corrections professionals retiring, much of the institutional knowledge is no longer there. Not only is it important to have mentors in this field, but it’s critical for stabilization and continuity.

It will continue to be difficult to recruit, train, and keep good correctional professionals when salaries are low and working conditions are not ideal.

If prevention initiatives to keep kids out of trouble are not embraced and funded and proven treatment programs and effective aftercare services for those already in the system are not adequately funded, this State will continue to recycle its failures.

What advice would you have for those interested in entering the corrections profession?

Understand that corrections is an honorable profession that has some of the most dedicated people they will ever meet.

Find someone who they admire and can look up to and is willing to mentor them as they grow in the field.

Take advantage of educational and training opportunities and join organizations such as TCA and ACA, so they not only have a more global perspective about corrections, but that they also get to know and develop friendships among their colleagues.

How long have you been a TCA member and what do you consider the best benefits of your membership?

I’ve been a member since the 1970’s when I entered the field. It gave me a chance to be a leader and spokesperson for corrections, but mostly, it allowed me to develop life-long friendships.

What is your biggest career achievement?

Receiving the George Beto Hall of Honor Award from TCA..

What person has had the most influence on your professional life and how?

Ron Jackson, former Director of TYC, and Bill Anderson, former Director of TJPC, were mentors to me and taught me so much. Both men were way ahead of their time in terms of sound, compassionate juvenile justice practice, as well as management principles. Further, both men recognized and appreciated smart competent females.

What is something most people may not know about you?

I began working at a bank 2 days after I graduated from high school and didn’t start college until I was 26. I worked at TYC full time and went to college at night for 6 years until I got my Bachelors from St. Edwards. I then got my Masters Degree in Criminal Justice Management while working at TJPC and going to Sam Houston State University on the weekends.

 

Collier Named Deputy Director

Bryan Collier, the state’s parole director, was named Deputy Executive Director of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, the No. 2 position in the state’s correctional system. Collier replaces Ed Owens, who was named Acting Executive Director of the scandal-racked Texas Youth Commission in the spring as part of a management shakeup. In June, Owens was named conservator of the agency, replacing Jay Kimbrough. Collier, 42, has been Director of the Parole Division for the past 5½ years. Collier started with the corrections agency in 1985, and he has worked his way up through the ranks, according to the agency spokeswoman Michelle Lyons. He has worked as both a correctional officer and a parole officer, Lyons said. Collier is Immediate Past President of the Texas Corrections Association.

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