TDCJ News

27th Annual Governor’s Criminal Justice Volunteer Service Awards

Vernon Woman Receives Governor’s Criminal Justice Volunteer Service Award

TDCJ Executive Director Bryan Collier, Courtney Rich, Texas First Lady Cecilia Abbott, and TBCJ Chairman Patrick O'Daniel (l-r).

(AUSTIN) – Ms. Courtney Rich of Vernon, Texas was presented the Judge Carroll Wilborn, Jr. Award during the Governor’s 2022 Criminal Justice Volunteer Service Awards program today.

The award was presented by Texas Board of Criminal Justice Chairman Patrick O’Daniel and TDCJ Executive Director Bryan Collier at a ceremony in Austin.

“These individuals have gone above and beyond in their volunteer efforts. No words or awards will be enough thanks for these individuals. We are grateful they decided to use their time and talents for good at TDCJ,” said O’Daniel.

“TDCJ and this state are better because of these award recipients. They are heroes who are making a profound and lasting impact on the lives of so many across the Lone Star State,” said Collier.

Courtney Rich has been employed with Wilbarger Community Supervision and Corrections Department since 2004 as support staff and for the last two years has volunteered on the board for Texoma Alliance to Stop Abuse (TASA). TASA was created in memory of five-year-old Katie Earnest who died at the hands of her mother’s abuser. TASA’s mission is to eliminate family violence by promoting safety for the victims through free services, providing intervention to batterers, education to the public and bringing about the change necessary to end the cycle of abuse. While on the board, Courtney has helped coordinate community fundraisers and the annual domestic violence rally. She also attends the monthly Domestic Violence High Risk Team meetings to provide updates on offenders. She has spent countless hours passing out information pamphlets that have helped educate her rural area about domestic violence issues. She served the attendees at the annual rally, helped with the local art auction fundraiser and helped cook breakfast for the annual TASA golf tournament fundraiser. TASA has come a long way since its inception in 2013 thanks to the help of volunteers like Courtney Rich.

Judge Carroll Wilborn Jr. began his career in public service as an Assistant County Attorney and the Assistant District Attorney for Chambers County, Texas. He served as the District Attorney for Chambers County from 1977 until 1983. In 1983 he served as the Judge for the 344th District Court, a position he held until he retired in 2012. Over the years, Judge Wilborn served as a member of the faculty at Advanced Criminal Law Certification Courses, the Texas College for the Judiciary, and as a guest lecturer at the South Texas College of Law. He was also the Governor’s Chairman of the Criminal Procedure Revision Committee and Treasurer of the Criminal Law Section of the State Bar of Texas. In 1993 and 2001 Judge Wilborn was appointed as a member of the Judicial Advisory Council (JAC) to the Texas Board of Criminal Justice and the Community Justice Assistance Division. As a member of the JAC, he served as the Secretary, Chair of the Legislative Subcommittee and the liaison to the Probation Advisory Committee. Judge Wilborn was a tireless advocate for the improvement of the criminal justice system in Texas and, in particular, an unfailing ally to community corrections.

Ms. Rich is one of 17 individuals and 5 organizations from across the state recognized for their efforts to help inmates and those who are on parole and probation. They donate many hours of their personal time every year with the goal of changing the lives of convicted offenders, and aiding and comforting their victims.

In FY2021, there were 21,310 volunteers who provided a total of 47,290 hours of service.

Note to media: For more information, contact Robert Hurst at (936) 437-6052 or by e-mail at robert_hurst@tdcj.texas.gov.