AUSTIN, TX – Effective November 16, 2015, the Texas Criminal Justice Coalition (TCJC) announces Shakira Pumphrey as its new Policy Director. In this role, Ms. Pumphrey has strategic and operational responsibility for generating and coordinating TCJC’s research and policy work.

Prior to joining TCJC, Ms. Pumphrey served as Senior Policy Advisor to Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives, Joe Straus, where she advised the Speaker and his executive staff on policy issues related to corrections, criminal jurisprudence, juvenile justice, defense, veterans, and county affairs. She also served as the primary liaison to legislators, legislative staff, constituents, advocates, agencies, and correlating legislative committees.

“Shakira has been an asset to me and to the Texas House,” Speaker Straus said. “She cares deeply about our state and about criminal justice policy, and I’m confident that she will continue to succeed in this new role.”

Read the rest of TCJC’s press release here.