All About Texas Department of Criminal Justice

This page provides useful resources for individuals seeking information regarding the Department of Criminal Justice in Texas. This site also features criminal justice degree information for the states adjacent to Texas: New Mexico, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Louisiana.

Jurisdiction of Texas

• Organizational Structure of the Texas Criminal Justice Department This chart reflects the positions held within the criminal justice system as well as the name of the presiding individual.
• Texas Courts Online The Texas online court features a judicial directory, a court case history search, upcoming news and events as well as a frequently asked questions section for the public regarding complaints, records and research.
• Texas Board of Criminal Justice Information on the members of the Texas Board of Criminal Justice including (as of August 2010) Chairman Oliver J. Bell, Vice Chairman Tom Mechler, Secretary Leopoldo Vazquez III, Member Eric Gambrell, Member Carmen Villanueva-Hiles, Member Pastor Charles Lewis Jackson, Member Janice Harris Lord, Member R. Terrell McCombs and Member J. David Nelson.
• Attorney General of Texas Greg Abbott currently serves as Texas’ Attorney General.
• Texas Department of Criminal Justice: Community Justice Assistance Division Carey Welebob is acting director of the Community Justice Assistance Division. This division promotes rehabilitative services for offenders and victims’ rights protection.
• Texas Department of Public Safety The Department of public safety features fingerprinting services, a criminal search history and annual crime reports.
• Texas Counties A listing of the government maintained websites for counties in the state of Texas.
• U.S. Census Bureau Population and demographic information regarding the state of Texas according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
• Texas State Data Center and the Office of the State Demographer Census information specifically from the state of Texas—includes population projections, health related estimates, demographic profiles and information on state government and resources.
•  Texas State Library and Archives Commission Information from the Texas State Library including an economic overview, state statistics and reference information for the cities and counties throughout the state.
• The Handbook of Texas Online An encyclopedia featuring information strictly about the state of Texas.
• Texas Legislature Online A reference for information regarding bills, texts, amendments, statutes, votes,
• The State of Texas: Governor A listing of the offices of the governor.
• Texas Records and Information Locator A comprehensive reference list to all of the state agencies in Texas.
• Texas District and County Attorneys Association Information on case law, updated news and issues currently in prosecution.
• Texas Department of Criminal Justice: Death Row Information on death row including a list of current offenders, gender and racial statistics and execution history
• Law Enforcement Updates Important updates on legal policies within the state of Texas.
• United States Atty.'s Office: Northern District of Texas District specific information for Northern Texas.
• United States Atty.'s Office: Southern District of Texas District specific information for Southern Texas.
• United States Atty.'s Office: Western District of Texas District specific information for Western Texas.
• United States Atty.'s Office: Eastern District of Texas District specific information for Eastern Texas.

Correctional Institutions

• Correctional Institutions Division: Texas Department of Criminal Justice The Correctional Institutions Division, or CID, is a culmination of the state jail, private facilities and institutional divisions. The CID is located in Huntsville, Texas. Rick Thaler is acting director of the CID.
• Organizational Structure of the Texas Criminal Justice Department: Correctional Institutions Division An organizational chart showing departments within the correctional division including an outlining of operations along with the title of the person directing the operation.
• Correctional Institutions Division Region I Michael Upshaw is the regional director for facilities within region one which includes the following units: Byrd, Duncan, Eastham, Ellis, Estelle, Ferguson, Goodman Transfer, Goree, Holliday, Huntsville, Lewis, Polunsky and Wynne. (Huntsville, Texas)
• Correctional Institutions Division Region II Brian Rodeen is the regional director for facilities within region two which includes the following units: Beto, Boyd, Coffield, Cole, Gurney Transfer, Hodge, Hutchins, Johnston, Michael, C. Moore Transfer, Powledge, Skyview and Telford. (Tennessee Colony, Texas)
• Correctional Institutions Division Region III Paul Morales is the regional director for facilities within region three which includes the following units: Central, Clemens, Darrington, Gist, Henley, Hightower, Jester I, Jester III, Jester IV, Kegans, LeBlanc, Lcyhner, Plane, Ramsey, Scott, Stiles, Stringfellow, Terrell, Vance and Young Medical. (Rosharon, Texas)
• Correctional Institutions Division Region IV Robert Eason is the regional director for facilities within region four which includes the following units: Briscoe, Connally, Cotulla Transfer, Dominguez, Fort Stockton Transfer, Garza East Transfer, Garza West Transfer, Glossbrenner, Lopez, Lynaugh, McConnell, Ney, Sanchez, Segovia, Stevenson and Torres. (Beeville, Texas)
• Correctional Institutions Division Region V Bruce Zeller is the regional director for facilities within region five which includes the following units: Allred, Baten, Clements, Dalhart, Daniel, Formby, Jordan, Montford, Neal, Roach, Rudd Transfer, Smith, Tulia Transfer, Wallace, Ware Transfer, Western Region Medical and Wheeler. (Plainview, Texas)
• Correctional Institutions Division Region VI Gilbert Campuzano is the regional director for facilities within region six which includes the following units: Crain, Halbert, Hamilton, Havins, Hilltop, Hobby, Hughes, Luther, Marlin, Middleton Transfer, Mountain View, Murray, Pack, Robertson, San Saba, Sayle, Travis County and Woodman. (Austin, Texas)
• Texas Department of Criminal Justice: Parole Division Stuart Jenkins is the director of the parole division for the Texas Department of criminal justice. (Austin, Texas)
• Texas Department of Criminal Justice: Victim Services Division Angie McCown is the director of the victim services division for the Texas Department of criminal justice. (Austin, Texas)
• Texas Department of Criminal Justice: Rehabilitation Programs Division Madeline Ortiz is the director of the rehabilitation programs division for the Texas Department of criminal justice. (Huntsville, Texas)
• Texas Youth Committee Program and facility information for the Texas juvenile corrections agency.

Famous Texas Court Cases

• Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision that took place in the Northern District of Texas and regarding abortion law.
• Lawrence v. Texas Texas law prohibiting same-sex acts between consenting adults was declared unconstitutional.
• Texas v. Johnson Landmark case referencing desecration of the flag.
• Houston, East & West Texas Railway Co. v. United States Often referred to as the Shreveport Rate Case, this court case dealt with the issue of intrastate commerce regulation.
• Railroad Commission of Texas v. Pullman Company This case resulted in a Supreme Court decision being passed down regarding the legality of bringing a state case into federal court.
• Texas v. White A case regarding the legitimacy of the sale of United States bonds by a state involved in secession.
• City of Cleburne, Texas v. Cleburne Living Center, Inc. Supreme Court ruled on a case that dealt with discrimination of mentally handicapped individuals.
• Hernandez v. Texas Discusses the 14th amendment of the Constitution in regard to equal protection across the races.
• Lillian's Law A highly publicized case regarding the repercussion that a dog owner may face after the dog has attacked or mauled someone.
• Hopwood v. Texas A civil rights case regarding affirmative action in reference to racial preferences.