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Senior Director Lisa Capers to Retire in April

Lisa Capers, Senior Director of Training and Organizational Development for TJJD has announced her plans to retire at the end of April. Lisa oversees the Juvenile Justice Training Academy and the agency’s compliance with the Prison Rape Elimination Act. In addition, she coordinates the efforts of several projects and initiatives related to the agency’s mission. Lisa has been with the agency for over 23 years, 19 of which she served as the Deputy Executive Director and General Counsel for the former Texas Juvenile Probation Commission.


Lisa has been active since 2007 in training juvenile justice practitioners statewide and nationally on the federal Prison Rape Elimination Act and constitutional conditions of confinement in juvenile facilities. Beginning in 2009, Lisa served as the project manager over the Building Capacity Project, a partnership with the National Institute of Corrections and Washington College of Law Project on Addressing Prison Rape that developed a comprehensive PREA curriculum for Texas juvenile justice practitioners that served as a model nationwide. Lisa later became a Department of Justice certified PREA Auditor for juvenile facilities and her undeniable passion for keeping youth safe in facilities has gained national recognition.


Lisa was instrumental in initiating and maintaining the partnership between TJJD and the Juvenile Law Section. Lisa was the former Chair of the Juvenile Law Section of the State Bar of Texas and served on the Section’s governing board for approximately 12 years. She was influential in the creation of the attorney juvenile law specialization exam in 2000 and served as an inaugural member of the Juvenile Law Exam Commission at the Texas Board of Legal Specialization from 2001 to 2007. Lisa has been the managing editor and author to Texas Juvenile Law by the late Professor Robert O. Dawson since 1996. She was also a contributing author or managing editor to the Juvenile Law Section Special Legislative Issue Newsletters from 1995 to 2011.


Lisa has had the opportunity to be a part of many visionary discussions that have led to significant change within the juvenile justice system throughout her tenure. She has watched cyclical trends in juvenile justice occur, while having the historical knowledge of knowing the original legislative intent and understanding what worked and what didn’t and the reasons for both. Lisa always stood up for what was right, even when that wasn’t the most popular of opinions. While she has an abundance of skill, talent and expertise that she exuded in her leadership, she was also always equally aware of the intangible things that were often just as important and that is always demonstrated in her compassion. She has created lasting relationships both internally and within the field that will go well beyond her retirement.


There are many more notable accomplishments that Lisa was responsible for over the years, and while she has reflected on all the service she has given to the state, she is opting for a bit slower pace and more time with her family. Lisa plans to enjoy her retirement with her husband, Bobby, her daughter, Brittany, and her son-in-law, Matthew. Her journey continues to a new phase and the Texas Juvenile Justice Department is grateful for her 23 years of service and recognizes that the Texas juvenile justice system is an enhanced system because of her contribution and legacy that she leaves behind. She has not only been a champion for staff within the agency, but she has been an advocate for children and families across the state of Texas.


You were made for the place where your real passion meets compassion because there lies your real purpose. - Ann Voskamp

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