TDCJ News

Collier Awarded 2025 Edward R. Cass Correctional Achievement Award

March 25, 2025

The American Correctional Association (ACA) has awarded Bryan Collier, Executive Director of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ), the 2025 Edward R. Cass Correctional Achievement Award. The award was created in 1962 in honor of Edward R. Cass, who devoted more than 50 years of his life to corrections, and recognizes individuals for their innovative leadership, professional integrity, and contributions to the field of criminal justice.

It is in this spirit and in recognition of these high ideals that ACA continues honoring corrections’ most dedicated professionals through its E.R. Cass Award.

Collier will be honored alongside Annette Chambers-Smith, Director of the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections, at a banquet during the 155th Congress of Correction in Denver, Colorado. Previous recipients of the E.R. Cass Award include former TDCJ Executive Directors Brad Livingston, George Beto, and James Estelle.

“There is no greater honor than to be recognized by one’s peers, and I am truly grateful for this acknowledgment among such distinguished correctional leaders,” Collier said.

Colleagues have emphasized the significant impact Collier has made throughout his career in corrections. One nominator stated, “With his hands-on leadership style and innovative approach to the field of corrections, he has made an undeniable impact on the agency, its staff, and those it supervises.”

Another nominator added, “Bryan Collier is an outstanding leader and public servant. He demonstrates servant leadership qualities and possesses impeccable integrity in fulfilling the duties of his office as the Executive Director of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. Mr. Collier recognizes and appreciates that staff are the most integral component of a well-run Department of Corrections. In the area of staff professional development, Mr. Collier is a true visionary and trailblazer. He personally has developed leadership training modules and spends countless hours participating in professional development activities involving all correctional staff disciplines. His focus is on the continuum of care for inmates from intake through incarceration to re-entry. Mr. Collier's approach to staff and inmates’ well-being is a holistic one, with emphasis on physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health.”

Another expressed gratitude for Collier’s longtime service and commitment to the agency, stating, “Bryan Collier represents everything you would want in an E.R. Cass award recipient. His career highlights are as impressive as they are extensive. I know many others who share that view. They would also agree that he is even more impressive as a man of integrity. He is a true friend and valued colleague.”

Collier joined TDCJ in 1985 as a clerk and has held a wide variety of positions to include correctional officer, parole officer, section director, Parole Division director, and deputy executive director. He has a Bachelor of Science degree in criminology and corrections from Sam Houston State University. Collier is an active member of the ACA currently serving as Vice President and on the Board of Governors and as Vice-Chair of the Performance-Based Standards Committee.

The American Correctional Association is a professional organization for individuals and groups, both public and private that share a common goal of improving the justice system. It was founded in 1870 and is the oldest association developed specifically for practitioners in the correctional profession.