Skip to main content

UK Minister of Justice Studies Texas Criminal Justice Reforms

British Minister of Justice Michael Gove visited the Giddings State School on September 23 as part of his fact-finding tour of Texas to learn more about recent reforms in Texas criminal justice.

In addition to meeting with public policy makers and advocates and touring Texas Department of Criminal Justice facilities, Gove wanted a first-hand view of the Giddings State School and the Capital and Serious Violent Offenders program. 

Executive Director David Reilly and Giddings Superintendent Jorge Gonzalez provided a tour of the Giddings campus.  During the tour, Gove spoke to numerous Giddings staff members and youth while visiting the school building, welding shop, auto mechanics shop, dormitories and the security unit. 

A BBC camera crew and reporter also accompanied Gove as he toured Giddings.  The BBC is producing a documentary about criminal justice reform in Texas and how leaders in the UK hope to replicate many of the reforms.  While the documentary is currently unavailable for viewing in the U.S., the UK’s Daily Telegraph wrote an article about the Minister’s visit and included a summary of the Giddings visit. Read the report at: www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/11909309/The-Texas-prison-experiment-that-inspired-Michael-Gove.html

PHOTO: Minister Gove is interviewed by the BBC in the Giddings welding shop.

Popular posts from this blog

Employees Receiving Tenure Awards

TJJD would like to recognize the following employees who have received a tenure award since November 2015. On behalf of the agency, we extend our sincerest gratitude and appreciation for their dedication and service to the State of Texas. November 2015 FIVE YEARS OF SERVICE Adrian B. Jones, McFadden Ranch Christy L. Watson, McLennan CSJCF David I. Whitson, Ron Jackson Deborah K. Unruh, Austin (Ombudsman) Dwight A. Sadler, Austin (Ombudsman) Frederick D. Clemmons, McFadden Ranch Frederick D. Mask, Gainesville Iyesha S. Bellard, Giddings James R. Williams, Giddings Jarrett R. Massey, Giddings Juan C. Fernandez, Schaeffer HWH Roxanne S. Martinez, McFadden Ranch Victor O. Hughes, McLennan CSJCF TEN YEARS OF SERVICE Charlene M. Hunter Lane, Giddings Mary M. Perez, Ron Jackson Natasha E. Brown, McLennan CSJCF Royce R. Myers, Austin (Human Resources) FIFTEEN YEARS OF SERVICE Carl M. Smotherman, McLennan RTC Darrell S. Lewis, McLennan CSJCF DeLana D. Smethers, ...
Read more

Employees Receiving Tenure Awards

TJJD would like to recognize the following employees who have received a tenure award since February 2016. On behalf of the agency, we extend our sincerest gratitude and appreciation for their dedication and service to the State of Texas. February 2016 Five Years of Service Debra G. Foster, Gainesville Andrea G. Brazell, McLennan CSJCF Brandon E. Spears, McLennan RTC Ron’Neshia D. Spears, McLennan RTC Maria A. Muhammad, Cottrell HWH Mario Ramirez York, HWH Ten Years of Service Robin C. Motley, Gainesville Debra A. Sullivent, Giddings Jimmy W. Loewe, Giddings Raul De La Torre, Evins Stephanie A. Allen, McLennan CSJCF Timothy A. Redic, McLennan RTC Christi R. Villegas, Dallas Distict Office Fifteen Years of Service Donna L. Box, Ron Jackson Twenty Years of Service Cristopher L Burton, Austin (State Programs & Facilities) William L. George, Ron Jackson Joe I. Barraza, Evins Twenty-five Years of Service Venita Y. Foran, Gainesville Mary L. Mahon, Giddings Richard C. Anderso...
Read more

A Message From the Director

May has been a big month for TJJD.  We completed our first site visit at Giddings for the Youth In Custody Practice Model (YICPM).  It was great having the YICPM consulting team of Ned Loughran with the Council of Juvenile Correctional Administrators, Shay Bilchek and Michael Umpierre with the Center for Juvenile Justice Reform, and Kelly Dedel with One in 37 Research, Inc., on campus and meeting with our implementation team.  Giddings staff were gracious hosts and the time was well spent.  I am extremely excited about the opportunity the YICPM brings to TJJD.  This will give us a proactive chance to thoroughly examine ourselves to create safer campuses, help kids be more successful, become more cohesive and collaborative as an agency and establish a more positive culture.  Self-examination is never easy, but the result is worth it.  I look forward to the next 18 months. Our Capstone Project continues to move forward with the Ron Jackson and Gaines...
Read more