TDCJ News

27th Annual Governor’s Criminal Justice Volunteer Service Awards

Wichita Falls Man Receives Governor’s Criminal Justice Volunteer Service Award

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

(AUSTIN) – Stephen Wolf of Wichita Falls, Texas was presented the Correctional Institutions Division 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.

Stephen Wolf, Director of Christ Prison Ministry, has served the Allred Unit for the past 25 years and makes a significant contribution to the restorative and rehabilitation efforts of the Chaplaincy Department. He serves as a Certified Volunteer Chaplain’s Assistant (CVCA) and leads New Life Behavior, Voyager and Overcomers programs, adapting them to self-study courses so inmates could complete the classes in lieu of class meetings which had been suspended due to COVID-19. Christ Prison Ministry has also sponsored Day with Dad and a Christmas Blessing Bag distribution in previous years. Other activities included providing Mother’s Day and Father’s Day cards. As a CVCA, he leads worship services on a regular basis and provides valuable assistance working with the unit chaplains in program planning, counseling and monitoring.

Mr. Wolf 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 or probation. They donate many hours of their personal time every year with the goal of changing the lives of convicted inmates, as well as 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.