TDCJ News

Magical Partnership Brings Holiday Spirit to Texas Prisons

December 2, 2024

Damon West, best-selling author and founder of the Be a Coffee Bean Foundation

A heartwarming partnership between the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) and the Be a Coffee Bean Foundation is spreading holiday cheer inside and outside the prison walls this season.

The two entities collaborated to create a special experience for families affected by incarceration. In preparation for the upcoming holiday season, Damon West, the best-selling author and founder of the Be a Coffee Bean Foundation, hand-delivered 150 Elf on the Shelf kits to families of those incarcerated at family day events hosted at the Patrick L. O’Daniel Unit and Alfred D. Hughes Unit in Gatesville, Texas, as well as the Lucile Plane State Jail in Dayton, Texas.

“When I was in prison, I saw the children of the incarcerated men around me,” West said. “I thought to myself, ‘if I ever get out one day, I want to do something to impact that population – the children of incarcerated parents.’”

During these events, the incarcerated parents, their children, and custodial guardians were provided an opportunity to bond over the magic of the elves. Together, they read the Elf on the Shelf book, named the elf, and enjoyed a day dedicated to family time. This unique initiative aimed to foster stronger family bonds and create lasting memories for these families during a time that can be particularly challenging.

“The goal was to help incarcerated parents connect with their children in a meaningful way during the holiday season, using the elf as a conversation starter and relationship builder,” Amanda Hernandez, Director of Communications for TDCJ said.

The events were successful in bringing the families together and providing a positive experience for them to share.

“It’s a good feeling to spend time with my family and get to do something new. I’ve been in prison eight and a half years, so I haven’t had a chance to do nothing like this with my son,” Dominique Betancourt, an inmate at the Hughes Unit, said.

Click this link for photographs of the events.