By Ron Smith
The Choice Moore Unit celebrates its 5-year anniversary
this month.
The Texas Department of Criminal Justice - Institutional
Division (TDCJ-ID) was handed the keys to the unit from the general contractor
on May 2, 1995.
The unit is extremely proud of it’s accomplishments
and growth over this relatively short period.
It has earned an excellent reputation and become a model
transfer facility for the State of Texas.
In early Spring 1995, TDCJ employees from all over the
state were assigned or hired specifically to work at the Choice Moore Unit.
These employees assembled in Bonham on May 2, 1995, for
two days of introduction, coordination, and training.
Warden Todd A. Foxworth, the unit’s current Senior
Warden, was the Assistant Warden at that time.
Warden Foxworth and the other supervisors formulated the
structure and organization of the various departments and established security
procedures.
Employees then worked hard in preparing the unit for the
receipt of the first offenders.
Within weeks the unit approached its capacity of 1,008
offenders.
In 1998 modifications were made to the unit increasing
the population to house 1,224 offenders.
The last five years have proved to be very productive
for the Choice Moore Unit. Not only have we successfully complied with
our assigned Mission Statement (To provide safe and appropriate confinement,
supervision, rehabilitation, and reintegration of adult felons, and to
effectively manage or administer correctional facilities based on constitutional
and statutory standards), but we have strived to make significant contributions
to the local community as well.
When the Choice Moore Unit opened its doors, many people
expected great changes with the prison’s introduction in the Bonham
area, but no one predicted its actual impact.
With an annual payroll of over $6 million dollars, the
unit employs 155 correctional officers, 21 security supervisors, 33 medical
personnel, and another 50 employees in various support positions such as
education and maintenance.
The local economy has been boosted by the increased need
for numerous consumer items as well as an increase in area utility usage.
Unit employees have also played a major role by making
a commitment to become part of this community, such as volunteering for
a wide variety of community functions.
The employees of the Choice Moore Unit make significant
contributions to the Fannin County Community.
The unit as a whole is involved in many charitable groups
such as: WalkAmerica - March of Dimes, Texas Special Olympics, Community
Blood Drives, United Way of Fannin County, Toys for Tots Program, Camp
Wohaleto, and CASA.
Some of our remarkable employees also serve as board members
of organizations such as March of Dimes, CASA, the Bonham ISD, and the
Bonham Chamber of Commerce.
The unit has a Community Work Squad that works throughout
Fannin County on various community improvement projects.
Examples have included: Lake Bonham beautification; the
clean-up of Dodd City after a major wind storm; re-locating several Fannin
County Offices to the South Annex; Bonham Street Department “Christmas
Tree Drop Off.”
The offenders have also made major contributions to the
local area by having participated in renovating the Bonham Civic Center,
clearing brush and trees, donating wood to needy families, landscaping
the VA Hospital as well as decorating the grounds for Christmas.
They have also made major repairs to a cemetery long thought
lost to the Whitewright community and assisted in the city wide cleanup
prior to their selection as a Texas Historical Society “Main Street
City.”
Production and the distribution of food to “low income”
families is also a project for the unit. The Choice Moore Unit in conjunction
with Buster Cole State Jail, combine equipment, officers and offender labor
in producing vegetables. The vegetables when harvested are furnished to
local SNAP Centers and needy families through the Bonham Community Ministries
which coordinates distribution.
By June 2000 it is anticipated that the Food Bank Project
contributions will exceed 500,000 pounds of produce.
Bonham Community Ministries, Bonham’s Pastors Association,
Bonham United Way, and the Voluntary Purchasing Group Company and other
supporting agencies have shared in the donation of money used for the supply
of fertilizer and seeds. This “seed money” made the preparation
and planting of the fields possible.
The Choice Moore Unit is also proud of it’s accomplishments
in the Corrections Arena. The unit recently received national accreditation
from the American Corrections Association. Receiving one of the highest
accreditation scores with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. The
unit’s Medical Department also received it’s second national
accreditation when the National Commission on Correctional Health Care
gave the Choice Moore Unit an outstanding rating. They were also nominated
for “Facility of the Year” recognition.
The Choice Moore Unit is proud to celebrate its first
five years in Bonham and it’s partnership with the Fannin County Community
and looks forward to many more years of service.
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Fannin County Special Olympic Athletes, employees from
the Choice Moore Unit, local Law Enforcement, and supportive Fannin County
residents joined in the annual “Texas Law Enforcement Torch Run.”
This Run started in the Texarkana area (New Boston) and
was carried by law enforcement and Texas Department of Criminal Justice
employees westward through Paris and Honey Grove arriving in Bonham Monday
(May 8) afternoon.
Bonham’s leg of the event began Tuesday, May 9, at
9 AM.
All participants and supporters meet at the Fannin County
Courthouse for group photos and the start of the run.
The Special Athletes were spaced out around the courthouse,
down West Sam Rayburn Drive, onto Highway 121, and out of town.
Each athlete was able to carry the torch for a section
of this wonderful run.
The joy experienced by these Special Athletes was a sight
to behold - their courage is truly inspiring.
Proceeds from the “Texas Law Enforcement Torch Run”
helps support the Special Olympic organization and the Special Olympic
Games.
This year those games will be held at University of Texas
Arlington May 27-29.
All local Fannin County Special Athletes will be able
to participate.
Choice Moore Unit employees and Fannin County residents
anticipate raising over $5,000 in contributions toward the statewide campaign’s
goal.
These donations will go to the non-profit organizations
operating fund.
Money was raised by employees who organized and conducted
everything from T-shirt and baked goods sales to a golf tournament to be
held in May.
“Our staff members devoted hundreds of hours of voluntary
service and many personal dollars to this worthwhile cause,” stated
Warden Todd Foxworth.
Warden R.E. Morin, Assistant Warden of the Choice Moore
Unit also ran in this celebration.
He wanted to give a special thanks to the generosity and
support of Bonham and Fannin County residents.
The Texas Special Olympics mission is to provide year
‘round sports training and athletic competitions to mentally and physically
challenged Texans who are between the ages of 9 and 17.
It’s program is designed to afford each special athlete
an opportunity to demonstrate courage, experience joy, and participate
in the sharing of gifts, skills, and friendships.
This spirit is reflected in the Special Olympics motto,
which reads:
“Let me win; but if I cannot win, let me be brave
in the attempt.”
