TDCJ News

28th Annual Governor’s Criminal Justice Volunteer Service Awards

Woodlands Woman Receives Governor’s Criminal Justice Volunteer Service Award

TBCJ Chairman Patrick O'Daniel, Teresa Darby, Texas First Lady Cecilia Abbott, and TDCJ Executive Director Bryan Collier.

(AUSTIN) – Ms. Teresa Darby of The Woodlands, Texas, was presented the Pathfinder Award from the Victim Services Division during the Governor’s 2023 Criminal Justice Volunteer Service Awards program today.

The award is given to an individual or group that has demonstrated leadership qualities in their volunteer service and made significant contributions to the welfare of victims.

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.”

Ms. Darby has selflessly given untold hours and resources to volunteer as a panelist for the TDCJ Victim Services Division’s Victim Impact Panel Program. She has spoke on numerous panels for the Sex Offender Treatment Program at the Goree Unit and the Hightower Unit, as well as parole offices. She has shared her traumatic and devastating impact that the sexual assault of her young daughter has had on the entire family for years. Sher also discusses her own story as a sexual assault victim. Upon discovering that her child had been sexually assaulted, she was not only faced with helping her and their family through the pain but she was also forced to confront and deal with her own victimization. She does an excellent job of conveying the emotional, financial and long-term impact that victims of crime and their families endure. It has been empowering and healing for Ms, Darby to share her experiences in the hope of making a positive difference in the lives of those who hear her story and those she meets. When speaking to inmates or parolees, she is honest and never accusatory but encourages the audience that the best way for them to make amends to their victims is to think about how their actions impact others if ever confronted with an opportunity to re-offend. She also encourages them to take advantage of opportunities they have had while incarcerated or on parole to work on becoming model citizens.

Ms. Darby 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. They donate many hours of their personal time every year with the goal of changing the lives of convicted inmates while aiding and comforting their victims.

In FY2022, there were 23,376 volunteers who provided a total of 146,649 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.