TDCJ News

28th Annual Governor’s Criminal Justice Volunteer Service Awards

Tyler Woman Receives Governor’s Criminal Justice Volunteer Service Award

TBCJ Chairman Patrick O'Daniel, Marian Collins, Texas First Lady Cecilia Abbott, and TDCJ Executive Director Bryan Collier.

(AUSTIN) – Ms. Marian Collins of Tyler, Texas, was presented the Susan Cranford Award during the Governor’s 2023 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 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. Collins has a passion and dedication to the female population at the East Texas Treatment Facility that is simply inspiring. She spearheads the Celebrate Recovery program for these women. It is a twelve-step program that helps them understand and overcome their addictions through Biblical teachings. When asked who Celebrate Recovery is for, her answer is simply “everyone and anyone.” While she and her husband Alan are both active volunteers, Marian in particular fills a niche in the female population. Her forte seems to be specifically in reaching the ladies through engaging lessons where they can see that she genuinely cares for them. The Collins have expressed their delight in being back after the COVID-19 restrictions and their willingness to help the staff with something simple like helping inmate clerks catch up on filing or praying without ceasing for the staff and incarcerated on the unit. Marian continuously demonstrates a servant’s heart to everyone she meets. The Collins attend rallies and events for Celebrate Recovery to recruit more volunteers for the Prison Ministries and to help the program reach more who are in need.

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.

Marian Collins is one of 23 individuals and 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 inmates while aiding and comforting their victims.

In FY2022, there were 23,376 volunteers who provided a total of 146,649 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.