21st Century Communication

The world of technology continuously evolves with more programs, software and devices being introduced into our lives with the goal of making daily work easier.

For the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ), modern technology has become an important tool in providing public safety, helping change inmate behavior, reintegrating individuals into their communities and assisting victims of crime.

From the introduction of inmate tablets to a new digital time keeping system, the agency is using key programs and software to positively impact staff, the incarcerated population and Texas communities. Some of these technological changes include the addition of communication platforms to increase transparency. Over the last few years, the agency has developed and rolled out a few key projects that do just that, including a new mass e-mail system, digital signage, unit-based Facebook pages and a mobile app coming soon.

These four initiatives are integral in achieving the agency’s mission and the 2030 Vision.

Digital Signage

The digital signage project was officially completed in the summer of 2024 and consisted of installing 454 digital signage monitors across the agency through grant funding.

These monitors, located in TDCJ units, parole offices and administrative buildings display important notices and news to staff. These messages are routinely changed to increase staff awareness of important agency messages.

“One of the goals of the 2030 Vision is to be the best place to work in Texas,” Communications Director Amanda Hernandez said. “To do this, we need to improve our communication and increase our transparency with our staff. Digital signage is one new platform available to help us reach our employees.”

Through these new digital signs, executive leadership, unit administration and department heads can communicate directly with staff, recognize outstanding employees and build a sense of community throughout the agency.

“The goal of the digital signage is to improve communication with staff across the agency. As a COVID-related grant, it will allow us to communicate important information related to health. Communication will go beyond that, though,” Hernandez said. “It is an opportunity for us to communicate all kinds of messaging to staff, such as information about benefits, wellness-related topics, and new programs like tuition reimbursement and the Correctional Officer Retention Survey (CReWS).”

The messaging displayed on the signs are added by the Communications Department at the Brad Livingston Administrative Headquarters in Huntsville. The plan, Hernandez said, is to begin training unit and department administrators on how to use the signs and upload their own content.

“Digital signage will allow facilities throughout the agency to create and display their own content specific to their location,” Hernandez said. “That content could be informational, such as advertisements for upcoming unit events, or celebratory, such as birthdays, promotions and new hires. The overall goal will be to leverage digital signage to foster a tighter and more informed community at the local level.”

Mass E-mail

TDCJ is one of the largest state agencies with more than 30,000 employees and 27,000 volunteers. With an agency of this size, transparency is vital and through the new mass e-mail system, TDCJ is able to provide more visibility and keep employees informed more than ever.

“Before mass e-mail, we would communicate information via our website, social media, or traditional media outlets. Now, we are able to send e-mails to anyone who enrolls to receive information about a specific topic,” Hernandez said. “The difference between mass e-mail and the other outlets previously used is now the information can go directly to them. Once you sign up to receive the e-mail, you will get it delivered straight to your inbox. You don’t have to seek out the information anymore.”

Through this new system, anyone can sign up for an array of different topics and receive e-mails from various divisions such as Office of Family Services, Volunteer Services, and Communications. Each group can send unique, targeted e-mails to those that subscribe. The plan is to continue to expand the program to incorporate more areas of the agency.

“I hope to expand the program to other areas in the future. The Communications Department is using the system to send newsletters and important announcements about TDCJ,” Hernandez said. “I recommend all staff and interested members of the public to sign up to receive these e-mails.”

Unit Facebook Pages

Social media has grown to be a main way for most individuals to receive information, stay connected with family and friends and remain updated with events happening within their communities. Among the various platforms available to consumers, Facebook remains the largest with approximately 3 billion monthly active users.

In 2013, TDCJ established its Facebook presence with the main TDCJ Facebook page. In the following years, the first group of unit-based pages were established and included Beto, Coffield, Estelle, Hughes, Michael, Montford, Polunsky, Price Daniel, Telford, Skyview/Hodge and Torres/Ney.

“Social media provides us an opportunity to communicate directly with our staff and the public. It provides us the platform to highlight all the wonderful things happening across the agency,” Hernandez said. “From staff features to inmate programming, social media provides us the opportunity to positively change the narrative of corrections.”

Over the last several years, the TDCJ Facebook Project expanded with the addition of 31 unit-based pages spanning across all regions. In total, the agency has 35 Facebook pages. Each of these pages are designed to allow unit administration to spotlight the uniqueness of their respective facility including the different agricultural operations and rehabilitative programs, as well as feature their dedicated staff.

“The Communications Department works hard to feature content from all units across the state. However, with approximately 100 units, it’s hard to do. The unit Facebook pages allow unit administrators the opportunity to spotlight their own staff and programming, which ultimately boosts morale at their unit,” Hernandez said. “With these pages, the Communications Department is able to share the content onto the main TDCJ Facebook page, furthering the recognition of that specific post.”

Robertson Unit senior warden Jennifer Cozby, along with a few members of her staff, oversee the Robertson Unit Facebook page, which was established in October 2023. It currently has more than 6,500 followers and is one of the most active pages within the Facebook project. She says the page has allowed for her and unit administration to connect with the unit team and the public in a more efficient and effective manner.

“The Robertson page has significantly enhanced our unit’s communication and engagement. By leveraging social media, we’ve been able to connect more effectively with both our staff and the public. It has provided a platform for transparent communication, timely updates and community building,” Cozby said. “Our staff feels more informed and involved, and the public has a better understanding of our mission and activities. This has fostered a sense of unity and support that is invaluable to our operations.”

Employee Mobile App

The development of smart phones and mobile applications has allowed users to conveniently access everything from banking information to games and more. With the creation of the new Employee Mobile App, myTDCJ, staff will be able to access important information including time accruals, paystubs, and card schedule.

“The Employee Mobile App will be beneficial to all of our staff, providing them a way to access paystubs and their W2 electronically, check their time accruals, and view at their card schedule all from their phone or a computer,” Hernandez said. “Additionally, it also has a notification feature that will allow TDCJ to send important notifications directly to our staff via push notification, text message and e-mail.”

The mobile app launches in 2025 and will be available for both Android and iPhones, as well as a desktop version.

“Employees have never had this information readily available at their fingertips, and now they will. I think they will find this new app has great features available to them and it will be a staple on their phone,” Hernandez said.

Through these four initiatives, TDCJ is able to increase communication and transparency, impacting both staff morale and public perception.