TJJD News & Announcements

AUSTIN, Texas – Jerome K. Williams, director of TJJD’s Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) compliance program, has retired after 18 years with TJJD/TYC. His going away party on Feb. 16 drew a crowd. Naturally, there was cake, but also vegetables and fruit. Williams, in addition to being a nationally known expert on the PREA law and unfailing resource in this area for those at TJJD, is an advocate for good nutrition and was known to keep carrot sticks close at hand. Williams also plays golf, something he says he’ll be doing more of now. Several of his co-workers said they look forward to continuing to play with him and noted that he could use his newfound leisure time to work on his game. The retirement commemoration was partly a roast, as well as a fond farewell to a beloved colleague. Several friends thanked Williams for having mentored them, and longtime buddy Bill Parks, superintendent of the Mart facility, confirmed with deadpan humor that Williams could indeed stand to fo...

On Friday, July 8th, the staff of the McLennan County State Juvenile Correctional Facility in Mart were honored for their role in helping the facility to achieve Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) compliance. The on-site portion of the PREA Audit was conducted in January 2016 and the facility received the final reports for official PREA compliance in May 2016. Not only was 100 percent compliance achieved but the campus actually exceeded standards in five areas. This was a true accomplishment because no other facility has received five "exceeds" during this entire first round of PREA audits within the agency. PREA Compliance Managers took an active role in ensuring that the staff were adequately rewarded for the dedication and hard work that was put forth towards accomplishing this goal. The PREA Staff Appreciation Carnival was a collaborative effort and sponsored through a partnership with the McLennan Police & Firemen’s Insurance Association, TJJD’s own Unity C...