Texas Corrections Association: Newsroom





	One of my favorite movies is Groundhog Day. For those unfortunate people who have not had the pleasure of seeing it, a brief summary is necessary. The premise is about a man who relives the same day Over, and Over and Over again in order to fix mistakes encountered in each previous day. As an aside, each day starts with the clock radio going off playing a Sonny and Cher song, which would motivate anyone in their right mind to fix the previous mistakes ASAP in order to avoid hearing that song again!! In many respects, our current criminal justice system reminds me of Groundhog Day, especially as it relates to collecting offender information. From the initial contact with the system, the same information is collected from the offender only to be repeated at every phase of the criminal justice system. Can you imagine how many times an offender is asked the same questions Over, and Over and Over again? More importantly, the information collected is primary self-reported, and forgive my cynicism, but may not be the most reliable. With a new year brings new opportunities to improve the criminal justice system’s way of doing business. One exciting and promising new initiative is the National Institute on Corrections (NIC) grant the state recently received for reentry technical assistance. One of the major focuses of this grant will be on enhancing the information sharing between local and state governmental entities. The NIC grant, as well as recently enacted legislation, requires TDCJ to create a statewide taskforce to address reentry issues. The taskforce will be charged with reviewing several issues that impact the reentry process, including the collection and sharing of offender information. The two NIC consultants assigned to work with TDCJ and the taskforce have worked with a number of states on the same issue with positive and promising results. When a new year begins, it is customary to make a wish, set goals and eat black-eyed peas for good luck. If my eating black-eyed peas Over and Over and Over again would bring any luck on fixing our redundant information collection system, then I would ask you to wish me one thing for the New Year. Bon appetit! back to top 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. back to top Past TCA President John W. Byrd passed away April 16, 2008	TCA Member Highlight: Rodney Cooper Mr. Rodney Cooper began his employment with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice in 1978 at the Ellis Unit, a maximum security unit which houses approximately 2400 offenders. He rose to the rank of Lieutenant prior to joining the Personnel Department as a Captain in 1984. He was promoted to Assistant Warden at the Eastham Unit, a 2470 bed facility, in January 1987. In January 1994, Mr. Cooper was promoted to Senior Warden at the Wallace Unit, a 1350 bed medium security unit, and given the additional assignment of Senior Warden over the Ware Transfer Facility, a 900 bed unit, in 1997. He was assigned as Senior Warden at the Telford Unit, a 2832 maximum security unit in May of 2000. In February 2002, he was promoted to Region V Director in which he had the oversight of the operations of fifteen (15) units with a total of approximately 25,000 offenders. He also ensured that all units were in compliance with the agency's policies, rules and regulations. As Director, Mr. Cooper acted as a liaison between the Wardens and the Director and Deputy Director of Texas Department of Criminal Justice. On June 12, 2006, Mr. Cooper was promoted to Deputy Director of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. As Deputy Director, he was responsible for the six Regional Directors who have the responsibility of managing institutional prisons and state jails with a total population of over 152,000 offenders throughout the State of Texas. In his position he was responsible for the oversight of the Security Systems office and TDCJ's Canine Operations. Rodney is involved in various civic activities including Lions Club and is the immediate past president of the Texas Corrections Association. He is currently teaching a couples Sunday school class at Northside Baptist Church. Mr. Cooper retired as Deputy Director effective September 30th, 2009. 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. back to top
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