TDCJ News

27th Annual Governor’s Criminal Justice Volunteer Service Awards

Lubbock Woman Receives Governor’s Criminal Justice Volunteer Service Award

(AUSTIN) – Sharon Fitch of Lubbock, Texas was presented the Carol S. Vance Award as the Volunteer of the Year during the Governor’s 2022 Criminal Justice Volunteer Service Awards program today.

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.

Ms. Fitch has volunteered at the Montford Unit for more than five years while working with the Seriously Mentally Ill (SMI) group and conducting weekly art therapy sessions. The mental health clinicians work together with Ms. Fitch to help with rehab programs which includes setting up “stations” that patients rotate through, with each station having a different therapeutic value. She has developed an art journaling activity that provides opportunities for self-expression through various art mediums. Each participant can write based on the provided journal prompt, illustrate that prompt, work on a jigsaw puzzle or use a tabletop loom to create a place mat or table runner. Prior to working with SMI Sheltered Housing Inpatients (IPs), she and two other volunteers provided weekly Bible study that included activities and interaction with two therapy dogs. Each Monday the volunteers would spend time with psychiatric patients and hospice patients, as well as patients in the Regional Medical Facility on the Neurocognitive pod, who looked forward each week to continuing the previous week’s lesson. A Bible passage was read and then activities that tied in with the passage were provided and enjoyed by the Ips who also took time to interact with the therapy dogs. Ms. Fitch is well-liked and well-received by the patients, is congenial with solid professional boundaries, is reliable and brings energy and creativity to our programs. Because of her experience as a teacher and use of various art mediums, her activities are as enjoyable as they are meaningful.

In 1999, the Texas Board of Criminal Justice named the Volunteer of the Year Award after Carol S. Vance, former TBCJ chairman and board member, former TBCJ Rehabilitation and Reentry Programs Committee Chair and current Chaplaincy volunteer (since 1996) at the Memorial and Jester Units. This award recognizes his many contributions in the development of rehabilitative programming offered to inmates to effect change.

Sharon Fitch is one of 17 individuals and 5 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 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.