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[LIVE, ON-SCENE REPORT!!]
AUSTIN (Special)--We're back once again with more from the recent RJM Conference held here...and this time (as well as the next), we thought we'd let you in on some current news happening within TDCJ and within various restorative justice ministries throughout the state:
Don Keil, Assistant Director of Religious Programs for TDCJ, expressed his gratitude to conference attendees for the numerous hours that those involved in the area of restorative justice ministry have given to the offenders and others involved in some way with TDCJ. "It's real exciting to see so many people here that have a heart to come in and minister to our offenders. Whether you're a volunteer or whether you're in the ministry that makes real money, we really appreciate the work that you provide and the hope that ya'll give our offenders. And there's not much of that going on in the prisons--because if it doesn't come from ya'll, they're not getting it anywhere else-and we gratefully appreciate that," Keil told conference attendees. Keil then introduced a number of TDCJ staff to Conference attendees, including current Director of Chaplains Don Kaspar and Regional Chaplains Richard Lopez, Jim Brazzil, Mark Pickett, Leonard Lee, and Billy Pierce. Keil also talked briefly to attendees about the current crisis that TDCJ is facing due to a major shortage of between 2700 and 3000 correctional officers statewide. Although both Chaplaincy Department and other administrative officials have done their best to limit the impact of the shortage upon faith-based programs, the current shortage has necessarily forced the complete suspension of current programs or the postponement of new ones due to this shortage in manpower. Keil cited examples to attendees of the Estelle Unit in Huntsville being 128 officers below minimum requirements while the Terrell Unit being 78 officers short illustrating the big problems that these units now currently face. To ministries currently facing problems as a result of the problem, Keil urged patience as TDCJ officials work to alleviate the problems caused by this shortage and increase staffing so that security on the units for all involved can continue to be assured. Keil also urged the prayers of all concerned regarding various funding issues with the Legislature as well as the staff and administration within the units as they deal with the additional stresses caused y
The copyright of the article TALES...BEHIND THE BARS in Texas Culture is owned by Coy Holley. Permission to republish TALES...BEHIND THE BARS in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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