TDCJ News

27th Annual Governor’s Criminal Justice Volunteer Service Awards

Temple-Based Group Receives Governor’s Criminal Justice Volunteer Service Award

TDCJ Executive Director Bryan Collier, Texas First Lady Cecilia Abbott, and TBCJ Chairman Patrick O'Daniel pictured with members of Discipleship Unlimited.

(AUSTIN) – Discipleship Unlimited of Temple, Texas was presented the Susan Cranford Award during the Governor’s 2022 Criminal Justice Volunteer Service Awards program today. The award is given to an individual or organization that has shown a desire to improve criminal justice programs for females.

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 individuals have gone above and beyond in their volunteer efforts. No words or awards will be enough thanks for these individuals. We are grateful they decided to use their time and talents for good at TDCJ,” said O’Daniel.

“TDCJ and this state are better because of these award recipients. They are heroes who are making a profound and lasting impact on the lives of so many across the Lone Star State,” said Collier.

Discipleship Unlimited provides support to the ladies of the STRIVE Reentry Center, volunteering specifically to facilitate studies in finances and relationships to assist the female inmates back into society. These areas can be major obstacles for successful reentry after incarceration. The volunteers with Discipleship Unlimited provide tools and coping skills to troubleshoot potential problem areas. In many cases, incarcerated women have little experience and knowledge concerning personal finances, credit or budgeting. Well-trained volunteers take their time to provide instructions and guidance to ensure financial success upon release. Further, the volunteers provide a course on relationships that helps the inmates learn communication skills for healthy relationships with family, friends and coworkers, providing them the opportunity to rebuild broken relationships. The STRIVE Reentry Center opened in September 2019 and Discipleship Unlimited has been there since ‘day one’ and has contributed to the success of all STRIVE graduates.

The Susan Cranford Award is named as a tribute to Susan Cranford who passed away in March 2007 after a long and courageous battle with cancer. She was a former Windham School District and TDCJ employee for over 28 years, many of them as the Warden at the Gatesville Unit. She also served as Assistant Director of the State Jail Division and the Director of the Private Facilities Division. Her innovative thinking and relentless desire to improve criminal justice programs for females gained her a well-deserved national reputation as an expert on women’s issues in the field of corrections, from both staff and offender perspectives.

Discipleship Unlimited is one of 5 organizations and 17 individuals 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 offenders, and aiding and comforting their victims.

In FY2021, there were 21,310 volunteers who provided a total of 47,290 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.