Texas Prison System Faces Major Shift as Longtime TDCJ Director Announces Retirement

Texas is home to the largest prison population in the country, with almost 140,000 inmates in over 100 prisons across the state; however, when measured per capita, Texas ranks between 5th and 7th.

Big Changes are Happening in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ)

Last week, on June 5th, an announcement was made by the Executive Director of the TDCJ. An announcement that could mean big changes are coming to the prison system in Texas.

Bryan Collier Announced His Retirement from the TDCJ

After 40 years of service with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice and nine years as the Executive Director, I am notifying you of my intent to retire August 31, 2025.

Collier has served as the Executive Director of the TDCJ since August 2016. He has held many roles during his 40 years with the agency, including:

• Clerk
• Correctional officer
• Parole officer
• Section director
• Parole Division Director
• Deputy Executive Director

Read More: Texas is Home to Two of the Worst Prisons in the U.S.

While serving as the Executive Director, Collier guided the TDCJ through some natural disasters, including Hurricane Harvey and the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the TDCJ, Collier accomplished lowering the recidivism rate to one of the lowest in the country.

Understanding Recidivism in Texas

What is Recidivism?  - The tendency of a convicted criminal to reoffend.

According to Texas 2036, over 46% of prison inmates will be arrested within three years of being released, and over 14% of those will be sent back to prison.

What Happens Next for the TDCJ?

Collier's last day will be August 31, 2025. In the meantime, the Texas Board of Criminal Justice, comprised of 9 members, will begin to vet and appoint a new executive director.

Read More: Central Unit Prison in Sugar Land, the Most Haunted Texas Prison

As with any organization, once a power switch occurs, it is possible that the TDCJ will start seeing changes in the system.