Trustee Status
Okay...Cool
Also, I didn't realize until I followed the link posted by reconrider8 that he was a Felon (convicted for first-degree murder) serving life.
It beats me why they would be letting him work at a prison farm...
Gr8rcall
Based on my nearly 23-years of working in the Texas prisons system, I obviously paid attention to the type of offenders I encountered in my daily routine.
Most of the CO officers did not have access to the wealth of information I was privileged to review. I had access to: court transcripts; psychological evaluations from trial, competency hearings; travel cards; disciplinary records within prison and jails; psychiatric treatment history; & DPS records.
Generally speaking, I had the least amount of trouble dealing with those doing time for murder, particularly if the offense was a crime of passion. When I say this, I am obviously not talking about serial killers, serials rapists, pedophiles, etc.
In Texas, offenders are allowed to drive 18-wheelers on the highway without direct supervision. This practice went on for quite some time without modification of policy. Yes, there were some working in this capacity with violent criminal histories. I don't know the statistics on the number of offenders who committed violent acts while working in this job detail. I think it would be interesting to review the facts.
TDCJ-ID eventually changed their policy to exclude those with violent histories, sex crimes or drug offenses.
On my drive from Waco to Gatesville, I passed convicts driving TDCJ-ID White Volvos tractors on a fairly frequent basis. On several occasions, I called them on channel 19 to see if they would respond. Sometimes, I would have a brief chat. Others would ignore my transmissions.
I might add that TDCJ-ID used to have some of the wildest rodeos in the Southwest when Huntsville held this annual event. I believe the Texas Prison rodeo was shut down because of the cost of renovating the stands.
I have some interesting stories to tell about my career in TDCJ-ID. I might write a book one day, but I doubt many people would believe all of the things I've experienced inside. LMAO.
