CID, Parole name new regional directors

Monroe named CID Region VI director

Carol “Gene” Monroe was selected as director of TDCJ’s Correctional Institutions Division Region VI office, effective February 1.

Monroe began his TDCJ career in 1994 as a correctional officer at the Allan B. Polunsky Unit in Livingston. During his first 13 years with the agency Monroe was promoted through the uniformed officer ranks, advancing to assistant warden at the Garza Unit in Beeville in 2007. He subsequently worked as assistant and senior warden at several TDCJ units and, from 2014 to 2016, served as deputy director for the Administrative Review and Risk Management Division. Monroe’s most recent position was senior warden at the Michael Unit in Tennessee Colony.

Monroe received both a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and a master’s degree in criminal justice management from Sam Houston State University in Huntsville.

As director of CID Region VI, Monroe is responsible for more than 4,000 correctional officers at 18 units in central Texas. He replaces Melodye Nelson who recently retired from the agency. Correctional Institutions Division Director Lorie Davis congratulated Monroe on his promotion saying, “Gene’s solid operational experience, integrity and demonstrated leadership qualities will serve the division and agency well as we encounter approaching challenges and opportunities.”

Lowe selected to lead Parole Region V

In February, Amanda Lowe was named director for Region V of TDCJ’s Parole Division, which covers large sections of North and West Texas, including the entire Panhandle and west to El Paso. The Parole Division supervises offenders released from prison who are serving out their sentences in Texas communities.

Lowe has more than 10 years of criminal justice experience with the Parole Division. She began her career in 2008 as a parole officer at the San Angelo District Parole Office, and promoted to unit supervisor at the San Angelo office in 2014. She promoted to parole supervisor in 2017, and was responsible for overseeing district parole offices in San Angelo, Abilene, Brownwood and Wichita Falls.

Lowe has a Bachelor of Science degree in psychology from Angelo State University in San Angelo.

Parole Division Director Pamela Thielke commended Lowe’s selection, saying, “Ms. Lowe’s extensive supervisory experience includes a strong focus on oversight, training and staff relations. Please join me in congratulating Amanda and offer her your support as she assumes this new leadership role.”