Windham School District

Recently, I had the opportunity to speak at a GED graduation ceremony at the Choice-Moore Unit in Bonham. This most recent class was combined from the Choice-Moore Unit and the Buster Cole Unit. The youngest graduate was 18 years-old and the oldest was 50. The GED program and vocational program within the Texas Criminal Justice system are administered by the Windham School District (WSD). The goal of these programs is to provide appropriate educational programming and services to meet the needs of the eligible offender population in Texas Department Criminal Justice (TDCJ) and reduce recidivism by assisting offenders in becoming responsible, productive members of their communities. The district, which began operation in 1969, was established by the Texas Legislature and was named by the Texas Board of Corrections for the late James M. Windham, a 24-year member of the Board. It is the first education system of such scope to be established within a statewide prison system. WSD operates schools on 90 sites serving TDCJ. Studies show that education and employment reduce recidivism and save tax dollars. According to a study conducted by the Texas Criminal Justice Policy Council (CJPC) in 2000, offenders with higher levels of education have lower recidivism rates, and releasees who are employed have a lower recidivism rate than those not employed. Many of the offenders in the TDCJ lack the educational background and basic skills necessary for attaining employment upon release. The typical Windham student functions below the sixth grade level. Windham provides a variety of academic classes and Career and Technical Education (CTE) to offenders incarcerated in the TDCJ. We are fortunate to have employees at the Choice Moore and Buster Cole Units that are dedicated to improving the lives of others, and I appreciated the opportunity to see their hard work first-hand. For more information on the Windham School District or any other matter of state government, please contact my office by writing to P.O. Box 2910, Austin, TX 78768-2910 or by emailing me at larry.phillips@house.state.tx.us. My district office phone number is (903) 891-7297.