On January 23, the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) officially broke ground on a highly anticipated 64,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art training facility, marking a significant milestone for the agency. This facility will provide enhanced training opportunities for all levels of TDCJ staff, underscoring the agency’s commitment to its workforce and mission of public safety.

TDCJ Executive Director Bryan Collier highlighted the agency’s dedication to public safety during the groundbreaking ceremony: “As an agency employing over 31,000 individuals, everything we do is related to public safety. From securing our facilities and overseeing individuals on probation or parole to implementing rehabilitative programs that prepare our population for the workforce, all our efforts contribute to enhancing public safety across Texas. This facility will play a crucial role in facilitating training initiatives that will further help us fulfill our mission of providing public safety.”

The cutting-edge facility is expected to be completed in the summer of 2026 and will serve as a hub for professional development, equipping TDCJ employees with the skills and knowledge necessary to excel in their roles. This project showcases TDCJ’s unwavering commitment to creating a safer Texas through comprehensive training and professional growth opportunities for its workforce.

Located in Huntsville, Texas, the new training facility will serve all divisions within TDCJ, including leadership development programs, the Parole Officers Training Academy, the Advanced Correctional Officer Training Academy, and crisis response teams. The facility will feature three distinct buildings:

• The Training Center
  • Modern Classrooms
  • Assembly Space for Large Groups
  • Admin Offices & Conference Rooms
  • Recording Studio
  • Virtual Reality Training Room
  • Staff Support Areas
  • Mock Cell Demonstration Area
• Dedicated Physical Training Space Barracks (11,500 sq ft):
  • Comfortable Living Spaces with Kitchenettes
  • Four Dormitories (80 Beds Total)
  • Modern Restrooms and Showers
• Firing Range (9,500 sq ft):
  • Six-lane, 50-yard indoor firing range.
  • Spaces for weapon issue, control, and cleaning.

The groundbreaking ceremony saw the attendance of the Texas Board of Criminal Justice (TBCJ), TDCJ leadership, government officials from Walker County and the City of Huntsville, local construction and engineering partners, staff, and other distinguished community members. TBCJ Chairman Eric Nichols expressed his hopes for the facility: “On behalf of the Board, my hope for this facility is that it becomes a center of teamwork, excellence, and empowerment. We are dedicating this facility to those women and men who carry out the mission of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, those same women and men who get up out of bed each day to protect our great state and commit to changing lives.”