TDCJ News

28th Annual Governor’s Criminal Justice Volunteer Service Awards

Polunsky Unit Warden Receives Governor’s Criminal Justice Administrator Award

TBCJ Chairman Patrick O'Daniel, Senior Warden Daniel Dickerson, Texas First Lady Cecilia Abbott, and TDCJ Executive Director Bryan Collier.

(AUSTIN) – Daniel Dickerson, Senior Warden of the Polunsky Unit in Livingston, Texas, was presented the Criminal Justice Administrator of the Year award during the Governor’s 2023 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 award recipients, by volunteering countless hours, are helping to build a better Texas for themselves and everyone whose lives they touch,” said O’Daniel. “It is an honor to recognize them for their hard work and dedication.”

“It takes a very special kind of person to give of their time and expect no material reward,” said Collier. “These volunteers are invaluable to us and have made a lasting impact through their contributions to the public safety of all Texans.”

Warden Daniel Dickerson has over twenty-four years of service with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice where he began his career in 1997 as a Correctional Officer. He rose through the security ranks to Assistant Warden in 2012 and then promoted to Senior Warden in 2015 at the Johnston Unit in Winnsboro. Within a few months, he was assigned to oversee Security Operations. He then promoted through several other facilities as Senior Warden including the Holliday Unit in Huntsville and the Estelle Unit in Huntsville before his current position at the Polunsky Unit in Livingston where he oversees a maximum-security population including death row. He has initiated several programs for higher custody inmates who have previously not had such opportunities. He is very innovative and is a catalyst for changing the prison environment to one of hope and rehabilitation. Providing public safety is the goal through good security practices and evidence-based programs that will result in opportunities for the inmates who will release back into society. Warden Dickerson not only focuses on the inmates’ needs but he has also established a Focused Leadership Class for department heads and supervisors to become future leaders.

Warden Daniel Dickerson is one of 23 individuals and organizations from across the state recognized for their efforts to help inmates and those who are on parole or probation.

The Texas Department of Criminal Justice extends its congratulations to Daniel Dickerson on being named Criminal Justice Administrator of the Year.

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