Purpose in Action

It is truly an honor and a pleasure to introduce you to the Winter 2025 issue of Connections magazine, my first issue as executive director of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. I could not ask for a finer legacy of leadership to inherit than one forged by my predecessors, or a more talented team to carry out our mission.

In this issue of Connections, we shine a spotlight on you, the extraordinary people that propel the agency forward. You’ll read stories showcasing the depth and variety of corrections professionals, from tactical response to rehabilitation programming and facility management. These features highlight how individuals and departments step up to advance our mission in unique and innovative ways.

I truly hope you find these stories inspirational as you contemplate the ways in which your own career with the agency is a critical link in the chain of public safety and positive change. Your expertise, your commitment and the daily decisions you make are what allow TDCJ to fulfill its essential mission.

Look at the challenges you overcome daily, the skills you’ve honed and the many ways in which you’re creating a safer environment. That is the core of what makes your job extraordinary. As we look toward the future, it is this collective sense of pride and understanding of our individual value that will continue to drive the agency forward.

Thank you for all you do,

Bobby Lumpkin
Executive Director