TDCJ News
Bartlett Innovation Unit Grand Opening and Historic THRIVE Graduation Celebrated
March 10, 2025
The Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) commemorated a significant milestone on Friday, March 7 with the grand opening of the Bartlett Innovation Unit and the inaugural graduation of the THRIVE program cohort.
The event commenced with a ribbon-cutting ceremony to signify the official reopening of the former Bartlett State Jail as the new Bartlett Innovation Unit. Dignitaries and guests gathered to celebrate the launch of the innovative unit, designed to enhance rehabilitation and reentry efforts.
“Putting a name on a place, calling one of our TDCJ units an innovation unit for the first time, gives it a special identity,” Texas Board of Criminal Justice Chairman Eric Nichols said. “This identity is built, first and foremost, by the women and men of TDCJ and the Windham School District who have worked to take this idled former state jail facility and transform it into an environment that will transform others.”
Andy Barbee, director of the Office of Strategic Initiatives and Modernization, and the visionary behind the innovation unit, delivered remarks emphasizing the agency’s commitment to providing effective rehabilitation and reentry programs. TDCJ Executive Director Bryan Collier followed with a keynote address, outlining the unit’s purpose and future impact.
“Today we marked a new chapter in the agency’s commitment to rehabilitation and public safety,” Collier said. "The Bartlett Innovation Unit and the THRIVE program are important components of our strategy to reduce recidivism across our great state. I look forward to seeing the vital work that will be accomplished here.”
Following the ribbon cutting, the first-ever THRIVE (Trust, Healing, Restoration, Independence, Vision, and Empowerment) program graduation ceremony took place at 10 a.m. This groundbreaking 16-week program, a collaboration between multiple TDCJ divisions and Windham School District, equipped male inmates with essential skills for successful reentry. Participants gained knowledge and practical experience in career readiness, financial literacy, basic computer skills, interview preparation, resume writing, and more.
Bartlett is one of four Windham campuses, out of 100 across the state, that affords secure online access for teachers and students, leading the way for future statewide implementation of connectivity. This approach allows district programs to be substantially similar to those offered to community-based students. At Bartlett, internet access is filtered and monitored. THRIVE students also are provided district e-mail addresses to facilitate job searching, access Zoom for pre-reentry interviews, and communicate with potential employers.
"Windham's collaboration with TDCJ reflects our shared commitment to transforming lives through education and opportunity,” Windham Superintendent Kristina J. Hartman said. “The reopening of the Bartlett campus — known as the campus of innovation — marks a significant milestone in advancing rehabilitation. We are proud to partner with TDCJ to provide groundbreaking programs like THRIVE, which open doors for individuals who may have once believed those opportunities were out of reach. The graduation of the first THRIVE cohort is a testament to our collective dedication to second chances, personal growth and the life-changing power of education."
The graduation ceremony honored the participants who successfully completed the program, signifying their readiness to reintegrate into society. A highlight of the event was the release of three individuals who departed the unit in suits. Each rang the freedom bell, marking their official release.
Attendees were offered tours of the Bartlett Innovation Unit, showcasing the facility’s resources dedicated to rehabilitation and reentry.
The THRIVE Reentry program represents a collaborative effort between TDCJ’s Correctional Institutions Division; the Rehabilitation and Reentry Division; the Manufacturing, Agribusiness and Logistics Division; and the Windham School District. This program underscores TDCJ’s dedication to providing comprehensive support for individuals transitioning back into their communities.