Disclaimer: I am not an authorized spokesperson for the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ). My mention of any TDCJ policies are my interpretation and observation of the local implementation of those policies, and should not be taken as TDCJ’s interpretation of those policies. The Allred Files is not endorsed by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. That may be somewhat of an understatement!
The Allred Unit is a “black hole” when it comes to news. Almost no information escapes its concrete and steel walls. Unlike news from the local police department, where they can’t belch without getting some type of recognition, when it comes to the Allred Unit, you’ll never know what offender was found hanging in his cell, who made “Employee of the Month”, who got promoted, who got feces or bodily fluids “chunked” on them, or any other information. No graduating class photos. No training photos. Nothing. This just adds to the reasons people don’t know a “guard” from a true Texas Correctional Officer.
The Allred Files exist mainly because I like to write. After spending 5 years at the Allred Unit, I’ve amassed a lot of interesting material and it would be a waste if I did not do something with it. I have no real complaints about the Allred Unit or the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. My supervisors throughout my time at Allred have been real professionals and they’ve been great to me. I have no intention of bringing discredit to them, the Allred Unit or to the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. There are a few topics on which I am critical of the agency, but I will not “trash” the agency, or any employee. I am not, in any way, a “disgruntled employee”.
I don’t hide behind a screen name on some forum. I don’t reveal confidential information. The day to day operation of any prison is well known to the offenders and their friends and family. I hope that most of what I write is complimentary to TDCJ and employees.
Being employed at the Allred Unit can be an incredibly difficult job, from the position of Warden all the way down to the newest of “new boots”. Some days are okay – some days are hell. Having spent 20 years in municipal law enforcement, it is my opinion that the job of a Correctional Officer is just as tough, if not tougher. The pay scales for local police supervisors and correctional supervisors should be reversed – and I was a police supervisor!
Some Correctional Officers at the Allred Unit say that it’s the easiest job they’ve ever had. Some say it’s the worst. We’ll, we’re not out there digging ditches, that’s for sure. But, when you consider the “big picture” – the unimaginable complexity of the operation of a prison - I sometimes wonder how it all gets done. It gets done because of everyone – Safe Prisons, Classification, Inmate Records, Human Resources, Mail Room, Chaplain, Armory, Maintenance, Security Threat Group Office, Safety, Unit Supply, Commissary, Offender Grievance, Office of Inspector General, Parole, Disciplinary, and others (sorry if I left you out) – doing their individual part to apply the volumes of regulations and mandates that govern every aspect of the lives of the 3600+ offenders housed there.
Texas Correctional Officers do not have a professional certification process similar to Texas peace officers and county detention officers. Peace officers can be awarded basic, advanced and master peace officer certificates based on education and time in service. County detention officers have the same program. Correctional officers have nothing comparable. I think there needs to be some improvement there.
While I might not recommend the job of Correctional Officer as a career, I do recommend most people do it for a year or two. It’s good training that will help you make it through life, and I personally consider it to be as important for the community and country as serving in the military.
So, check out the Allred Files, articles and stories posted in no particular order of occurrence or importance.
Maynard
