Partners & Support

  

TCJC identifies and promotes smart justice policies that safely reduce the state’s costly over-reliance on incarceration. Ultimately, we seek increased public safety in Texas communities, stronger families, and greater efficiency, accountability, transparency, and cost savings throughout the criminal and juvenile justice systems.

Towards that end, we partner with a broad group of stakeholders who similarly support policies and practices that will improve key components of Texas’ justice systems. Over time, these stakeholders have helped TCJC achieve our various successes.

We are honored to have received testimonials from individuals and organizations that partner with TCJC on an issue-by-issue basis.

Please Note: The inclusion of testimonials below does not reflect any individual’s or group’s endorsement of all TCJC policy recommendations.

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Texas Criminal Justice Coalition is a source of good ideas for criminal justice thought leaders in Texas and beyond. They’ve earned their reputation at the capitol as a go-to source of information on public safety conscious measures that will save Texas money. And they know how to bring local and state-wide criminal justice officials together to move policy forward.

Rebecca Bernhardt
Executive Director
Texas Fair Defense Project

I can’t overstate how valuable TCJC has been to public defense and other criminal justice initiatives in Texas. In the many years I’ve been serving as the Executive Director to the Texas Indigent Defense Commission, TCJC has been by our side, testifying in favor of enhanced funding and other TIDC legislative recommendations, providing quality written resources about our work and available resources, and working to ensure that the poor receive access to timely, quality counsel as required by the Constitution and state law. Under the leadership of Ana Yáñez-Correa, the TCJC team has consistently proven to be a go-to resource for practitioners and policy-makers. TCJC serves as a meaningful voice for those that may lack financial ability or knowledge to speak about needed improvements.

Jim Bethke
Executive Director
Texas Indigent Defense Commission (TIDC)

TCJC has been a Godsend for those of us who advocate for fairness in the criminal justice system. Ana is smart, conscientious and committed professional who is unique in so many ways. In fact their work is so thorough and their commitment to justice for all so unwavering that Ana frequently testifies for us. One additional item that is so important to recognize is that she treats everyone with respect and concedes no vote for or against TCJC’s cause. She knows that D’s, R’s and I’s are all vitally important.

Gary Bledsoe
President
Texas NAACP

For the past decade, the Texas Criminal Justice Coalition (TCJC), under the leadership of Dr. Ana Yanez Correa, has been a guiding force in the reform of criminal justice policies and laws in Texas. Virtually every significant measure to shape juvenile and adult criminal justice policies has been either initiated or supported by TCJC. Most unique to this organization is its focus and ability to produce results, which in all honesty is the greatest challenge facing most organizations of this kind. TCJC produces results by building alliances across party lines and working directly with and listening to the concerns of city, county, and community leaders that typically bear the greatest responsibility and burden of implementing state law and policies in the area of criminal justice. Dr. Ana Yanez Correa and the staff of TCJC are 100% committed to their mission of advancing efforts which may lessen the state’s reliance on incarceration. At the end of the day, it is this mission which will create a state with fewer individuals victimized, fewer individuals addicted, and more individuals and families restored to a state of true well being serving as leaders in their communities.

Alison Brock
Chief of Staff
Office of Texas State Representative Sylvester Turner, House District 139

The Texas Criminal Justice Coalition (TCJC) provided critical support in the successful passage of several of our bills during the 2015 legislative session. We are grateful to have TCJC as a partner at the capitol. The entire team is highly skilled and effective on criminal justice issues and articulating the societal benefits of compassionate reforms for those in the system, their families and the community at large. I believe that TCJC’s effectiveness and respected name are attributed to the hard work and commitment of their staff, the personal stories they can tell, the researched-based data they use to back-up their positions, and their willingness to go door to door at the capitol and successfully persuade members from both sides of the aisle. I honestly don’t think we could have done our work without them.

Perla Cavazos
Former Legislative Director
Office of Texas State Senator Sylvia Garcia, District 6

Texas Jail Project values the work done by the Texas Criminal Justice Coalition (TCJC). TCJC has been a creative ally for our group and other organizations that strive to reduce the inequities of our state’s criminal justice system. Their research, communications, and publications help advance much-needed reforms in Texas.

Diana Claitor
Executive Director
Texas Jail Project

For the first time in all of my tenure within the pink dome I had the privilege of working with the Texas Criminal Justice Coalition (TCJC), under the leadership of Dr. Ana Yanez Correa. I have a soft spot for children, students, juveniles and young adults alike when it comes to ensuring they have a bright future ahead of them. I had the pleasure of further understanding TCJC’s legislative priorities, mission statement and vision for Texas. The team under Dr. Yanez Correa has been instrumental in my understanding of criminal justice policy reform and current Texas law. Furthermore, I believe the key factor to ensuring successful legislation is the wealth of knowledge and communication brought forth to our office; that is key to almost all aspects of one’s life. The positive attitude demonstrated by everyone with the team gave me the hope and motivation to keep working hard despite the challenges that arose. At the end of the day, it is this mission that will create a better Texas for all.

Maricela De León
Chief of Staff
Office of Texas State Representative Gilbert Peña, House District 144

I have worked with many criminal justice reform organizations across the country over the years, and the Texas Criminal Justice Coalition is hands down one of the best. When I was a Texas Senate staffer, I regularly relied on their educational materials and policy analyses, which were always well-researched and reliable. Their staff is tremendous – going the extra mile to help the formerly incarcerated and policy leaders alike. Thank you, TCJC, for being an important leader in making Texas’ prison population smaller – and our streets are safer.

Scott Ehlers
Legal and Policy Analyst
Harris County (Houston) Public Defender’s Office

TCJC is one of TIFA’s valuable partners as we help families face the difficult challenges of having a loved one in the criminal justice system. We partner to provide information to state legislators on issues related to criminal justice and work to establish more effective and fairer criminal justice policies and practices. We also work together to re-unite families and help ex-offenders transition back to their families and communities by providing information on support services that is critical to their success.

Jennifer Erschabek
Executive Director
Texas Inmate Family Association (TIFA)

The Texas Criminal Justice Coalition has been an invaluable partner in Texas advocates’ efforts to create a more just system for children and young people who have been accused of a crime. Their passion is matched by outstanding research, which allows us to provide important data and information to state and local policy makers. And their dedication to the young people they serve shines through in all their advocacy.

Deborah Fowler
Deputy Director
Texas Appleseed

The Texas Association of Business proudly recognizes the Texas Criminal Justice Coalition as a valuable ally in our criminal justice reform advocacy efforts. TCJC’s “smart on crime” policy positions are data driven by the evidence of what works to help create an effective corrections system. Their dedicated staff are passionate, informed and focused. A strong collaborator, TCJC works with key stakeholders and legislators to advocate for policies that will help save lives, assure greater public safety, strengthen our workforce and provide Texas taxpayers a higher return on their investment in the criminal justice system.

Bill Hammond
President/CEO
Texas Association of Business

The Texas Criminal Justice Coalition has developed a reputation for reliable, non-partisan, solutions-oriented analysis on which policy makers and legislators from both parties in Texas have come to rely. They’ve filled a big void by advocating cost-conscious public safety solutions at the state and local level.

Scott Henson
Grits for Breakfast

The Texas Criminal Justice Coalition (TCJC) is a robust, statewide collaborative and catalyst for systemic change in the criminal and juvenile justice systems. As a leader in positive change, their “smart on crime” philosophy not only changes policies and attitudes—they change lives. TCJC is more than a collaborator, they are a partner that sits side by side with the Austin/Travis County Reentry Roundtable and many others to promote public safety through successful reentry.

Jeri Houchins
Administrative Director
Austin/Travis County Reentry Roundtable

Since late 2006 I have had the honor of working with the Texas Criminal Justice Coalition. This non-profit organization is dedicated to identifying and advocating for solutions to make the residents of this State safe from crime while implementing cost saving measures to strengthen families, reduce the overreliance on incarceration and provide for a more humane and just criminal justice system. Dr. Ana Yáñez-Correa, the Executive Director of TCJC, has always been a person of passion, commitment and resolve. I have found her staff to be highly motivated, extremely well informed and highly professional. The changes that they have helped usher in are nothing short of amazing. I am very proud to be associated with this outstanding organization.

Todd Jermstad
Director
Bell/Lampasas Counties Community Supervision & Corrections Department

I thank the TCJC Team for their continued sacrifices. The Team that Ana Yáñez-Correa has developed has made tremendous differences for over a decade in restoring lives and making Texas a better place to live. Thanks to their leadership, and thousands of caring Texans, we enjoy 22.6% recidivism, save millions of dollars in wasted incarceration expenses, avoid placing thousands of family lives in crisis, and avoid double that amount in new victims. Thank you to the team at Texas Criminal Justice Coalition.

Bill Kleiber
Executive Director
Restorative Justice Ministries of North America

Ana and the Texas Criminal Justice Coalition are a fair, smart, reasonable and resourceful advocate for improving the criminal justice system in Texas.

Don Lee
Executive Director
Texas Conference of Urban Counties

I have worked alongside TCJC staff on many criminal and juvenile justice issues in Texas, with great success over the years. They are a true partner in our efforts to reform Texas’ justice system. TCJC has been instrumental in advancing sound public policies that reform offenders, empower victims, and strengthen families. They are often the first group I seek out for collaboration given their strong research and tireless outreach efforts. Their relationships with policymakers and practitioners are invaluable to informing and implementing policies that will reduce over-incarceration and lower rates of re-offending.

Marc Levin
Director, Center for Effective Justice
Texas Public Policy Foundation

For more than a decade, the Texas Criminal Justice Coalition has been leading the important efforts to reform the Texas criminal justice system. Because of the hard work of TCJC, Texas has begun reducing its prison population through common-sense reforms after decades of unrestrained prison growth. TCJC is an anchor to our state’s criminal justice reform work, and that work is only just beginning.

Bob Libal
Executive Director
Grassroots Leadership

The Texas Criminal Justice Coalition has moved Texas criminal justice reforms forward with their research and advocacy making Texas a national model. Basing criminal justice reforms on the science of numbers has transformed that way Texas takes on the challenges of successful reforms. By lowing our prison populations through reforms, Texas correctional employees have been positively impacted. TCJC has worked together with AFSCME Texas Correctional Employees bringing positive changes to Texans. I proudly endorse the work of TCJC.

Lance Lowry
President AFSCME 3807
Texas Correctional Employees

TCJC works effectively with folks on both sides of the aisle to advance key reforms in criminal and juvenile justice. This includes policy-makers, as well as advocates from both the right and left, who successfully brainstorm solutions that save taxpayer dollars and increase public safety. I have found that TCJC’s original research, often informed by the input of directly impacted individuals, to be especially useful. And not only does TCJC gather feedback from incarcerated youth, adults, and family members, they also survey correctional officers, probation and parole officers, judges, treatment providers, and others. TCJC is a reliable and critical resource to anyone who wants to improve Texas’ youth and adult justice system.

Jerry Madden
Former Texas State Representative & House Corrections Committee Chairman

Much of my legislative policy work is in the arena of criminal justice policy. This requires research and analysis, often times on a same-day basis (or less). Time and time again, the Texas Criminal Justice Coalition has proven to be one of my most dependable “go-to” resources. The TCJC group of analysts and government relations specialists are the “A” Team in criminal justice policy, having proven they are indispensable in working for the passage of better and more just laws in Texas.

I am especially proud of their work in establishing the Smart on Crime Coalition in September, 2014. Combining the forces of TCJC, the Texas Association of Business, Texas Public Policy Foundation, ACLU of Texas, and Goodwill of Central Texas has been huge during the 84th Session in terms of advancing sound criminal justice policy for Texas. This coalition has been highly effective in communicating with Legislative officials about proposed legislation, because we can count on them to share accurate and essential information that the lawmakers need in seeking fairness and due process for all persons.

Ruth Jones McClendon
Texas State Representative, House District 120

We are living in a time where so many people complain and criticize the government: yet no one works for solutions! The Texas Criminal Justice Coalition has been a positive agent for change in Texas benefitting offenders, their families and even the Criminal Justice agencies in Texas. They try to come up with solutions for our problems in Criminal Justice! TCJC has supported CSCDs (Adult Probation) by encouraging legislators to provide more funding to our departments. TCJC realizes that it is important for offenders to stay in their communities, support their families and receive rehabilitation through Probation rather than be sent to prison. I have worked with TCJC to try to end the Driver Responsibility Program which has kept people from driving just because they do not have the funds to pay surcharges. Thank you TCJC for your hard work and devotion!

Vickie Pinkston
Director
286th Judicial District Community Supervision & Corrections Department (CSCD)

The Texas Criminal Justice Coalition has carried the torch for smart on crime reforms in Texas for some time now. From protecting vulnerable youth from extended restraint to ensuring that non-violent drug users find treatment rather than a prison bed, TCJC has worked for years with legislators and other organizations in the advocacy community to push for the kinds of change that make Texas a better state. Reinvesting our precious public safety dollars in solutions that are proven effective and address real problems like mental health disorders or drug use at their root cause leads to more just outcomes and less fiscal waste. TCJC has been a constant voice for these reforms and the state of Texas and individual Texans are better for it.

Matt Simpson
Policy Strategist
ACLU of Texas

From the earliest organizing days of the Criminal Justice Coalition, I have found them to be great partners. At that point in time very little had been done in Austin to refocus the Criminal Justice System so that it could become more efficient.

I testified before the House Corrections Committee along with people from the Criminal Justice Coalition of Texas. The District Attorneys could not believe that citizen groups would be interested in “their business.” All we were asking for was legislation which would require small time First Time Drug Possession Offenders be sent to treatment rather than state jail. To the surprise of many the bill passed. That was a wakeup call to the D.A.’s.

From that time forward, we have worked with the Texas Criminal Justice Coalition each session. Ana and the staff there has become so efficient at advocating and testifying for our cause: Smart on Crime, that we do not have to go to Austin near as many times as in the early days.

TCJC has led the way in refocusing the criminal justice system in Texas. It has been a great pleasure for our 50,000 dedicated volunteers to work with TCJC to bring about a better justice system in Texas.

Emmett Solomon
Founder
Restorative Justice Ministries Network

For the past six Texas Legislative sessions, Ana Correa and the Texas Criminal Justice Coalition have been a leader in changing Texas’ tough-on-crime policies. We have stood with her on smart policies that saved taxpayers like me millions of dollars while improving and building safer communities. The work in the interims and doing the sessions have enabled us to better serve individuals throughout the criminal justice system. Their work is important and must be supported.

Herbert Steptoe
Peer Recovery Specialist, Houston, Texas
Winners Circle Peer Support Network of Texas

Dr. Yáñez-Correa and her team are truly one of a kind in the Texas Capitol. By forming close-knit relationships with staff and Legislators, TCJC’s staff is able to accomplish more than any other advocacy team in the Capitol. These relationships cross party lines and often bring together people from all different kinds of backgrounds. TCJC consistently includes community leaders and local officials in their work to ensure that those who are expected to implement the policies can participate in the discussion. This ability to unify people with different perspectives to pursue reform together is unique in the legislature, making TCJC one of the most effective reform organizations in Texas. This organization is committed to reducing over-criminalization and creating a justice system that produces success upon release instead of recidivism. Dr. Ana Yáñez-Correa’s and her team’s passion for this is impossible to ignore, infecting everyone they meet with an enthusiasm for these reforms. Because of their work, Texas’ criminal justice system has a bright future with fewer incarcerated persons, lower recidivism rates, and more successfully reintegrated individuals in our communities.

Alyse Ullery
Legislative Analyst
Office of Texas State Senator Konni Burton, District 10

As the population of Texas continues to grow, so will the number of individuals that come into contact with our criminal justice system, and if any part of that system is not operating as efficiently as it can, the county jail will bear the burden. Regardless of political ideology or affiliation, implementation of alternatives to incarceration and reentry programming require our attention. Without the use of proven and evidence-based programs, the cost of only incarcerating individuals will continue to consume limited state and local government resources. By working with and urging our local and state leaders to give serious consideration to these programs, the Texas Criminal Justice Coalition provides these same policy makers options that can lower the cost of government and still ensure the safety and security of the public.

Brandon S. Wood
Executive Director
Texas Commission on Jail Standards

The Texas Criminal Justice Coalition is among the more savvy state-based reform organizations I have had the pleasure to work with. There are few organizations that can navigate legislative advocacy, engage in thoughtful and impactful policy research, work with the media, build consensus and build capacity between lawmakers and activists – and do all this at the same time. TCJC has steadily been nudging the adult and juvenile deincarceration agenda forward in the second biggest state in the country, all while mapping out the next set of challenges that need to be scaled. I cite TCJC’s research all the time, and think it has a model of getting from A-to-B that we should learn from around the country.

Jason Ziedenberg
Research and Policy Director
Justice Policy Institute