TDCJ News
28th Annual Governor’s Criminal Justice Volunteer Service Awards
Houston Woman Receives Governor’s Criminal Justice Volunteer Service Award
(AUSTIN) – Ms. Kimberly C. Luis of Houston, Texas, was presented the Judge Carroll Wilborn, Jr. Award during the Governor’s 2023 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 award recipients, by volunteering countless hours, are helping to build a better Texas for themselves and everyone whose lives they touch,” said O’Daniel. “It is an honor to recognize them for their hard work and dedication.”
“It takes a very special kind of person to give of their time and expect no material reward,” said Collier. “These volunteers are invaluable to us and have made a lasting impact through their contributions to the public safety of all Texans.”
Ms. Luis has been with the Harris County Community Supervision and Corrections Department (CSCD) since August 2002. She has always been a leader amongst her peers. She frequently volunteers to aid in the training of new officers and is always willing to assist her team. She has dedicated her career in community supervision to helping clients realize that they deserve to live a life in recovery, far beyond the term of their supervision. She is the first to volunteer to start a new initiative or take on a difficult case. In early 2017, she transitioned into the role of supervising clients placed on supervision out of the Responsive Interventions for Chance (RIC) docket. The goal of the docket is to reduce the use of state jails and to safely divert clients to supervision by providing treatment resources and community support. At first, many participants are distrusting of the criminal justice system and are hesitant to work on a diversionary program for fear of failure and ultimate incarceration. Ms. Luis has exemplified the mission of the RIC program where she spends countless hours each week motivating, supporting and coaching clients utilizing EPICS interventions and skill-building activities. She is a fierce advocate and supporter of each of her clients, utilizing her arsenal of rapport-building techniques to engage them and walk along with them on their journey to recovery. She recognizes the havoc that addiction can wreak on individuals, families and communities and treats each client in her care with respect and dignity. Ms. Luis is an extraordinary example of a Community Supervision Officer who is an “agent of change.” She is a true asset to the Harris County Community Supervision and Corrections Department.
Judge Carroll Wilborn Jr. began his career in public service as an Assistant County Attorney and the Assistant District Attorney for Chambers County, Texas. He served as the District Attorney for Chambers County from 1977 until 1983. In 1983 he served as the Judge for the 344th District Court, a position he held until he retired in 2012. Over the years, Judge Wilborn served as a member of the faculty at Advanced Criminal Law Certification Courses, the Texas College for the Judiciary, and as a guest lecturer at the South Texas College of Law. He was also the Governor’s Chairman of the Criminal Procedure Revision Committee and Treasurer of the Criminal Law Section of the State Bar of Texas. In 1993 and 2001 Judge Wilborn was appointed as a member of the Judicial Advisory Council (JAC) to the Texas Board of Criminal Justice and the Community Justice Assistance Division. As a member of the JAC, he served as the Secretary, Chair of the Legislative Subcommittee and the liaison to the Probation Advisory Committee. Judge Wilborn was a tireless advocate for the improvement of the criminal justice system in Texas and, in particular, an unfailing ally to community corrections.
Ms Luis is one of 23 individuals and organizations from across the state recognized for their efforts to help inmates and those who are on parole and probation. They donate many hours of their personal time every year with the goal of changing the lives of convicted inmates while aiding and comforting their victims.
Note to media: For more information, contact Robert Hurst at (936) 437-6052 or by e-mail at robert_hurst@tdcj.texas.gov.