HUNTSVILLE, Texas—The Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) officially broke ground recently on a highly anticipated, 64,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art training facility, marking a significant milestone for the agency. This new facility, comprised of three distinct buildings, will provide enhanced training opportunities for all levels of TDCJ staff, a testament to the agency’s commitment to its workforce and its mission of public safety.
“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,” TDCJ Executive Director Bryan Collier said. “This facility will play a crucial role in facilitating training initiatives that will further help us fulfill our mission of providing public safety.”
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 groundbreaking ceremony was attended by 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 members of the community.
“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 this 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,” TBCJ Chairman Eric Nichols said.
This cutting-edge facility will serve as a hub for professional development, equipping TDCJ employees with the skills and knowledge necessary to excel in their roles. It is expected to be completed in the summer of 2026.
Vaughan Construction is the builder for the CMAR project, with HOK leading the design of the robust new training center.
The new facility will feature:
The Training Center (43,000 square feet):
Modern classrooms (dividable for flexibility).
Assembly space for large groups.
Administrative offices, conference rooms.
Recording studio.
Virtual reality training room.
Staff support areas (breakrooms, exercise, lockers).
Mock cell demonstration area.
Dedicated physical training space with a catwalk.
Barracks (11,500 square feet).
Comfortable living spaces with kitchenettes.
4 dormitories (80 beds total).
Modern restrooms and showers.
Firing Range (9,500 square feet):
6-lane, 50-yard indoor firing range.
Spaces for weapon issue, control, and cleaning.
A report from the TDCJ contributed to this article.
