TDCJ - Joe F. Gurney Unit

08/31/2026

Today, we proudly congratulate Senior Warden Nicole Sandifer on her retirement from the Texas Department of Criminal Justice after an incredible 31 years of dedicated service.

Throughout her career, Warden Sandifer has been assigned to majority of the facilities in Region 2, and has demonstrated strength, professionalism, dedication, and a steadfast commitment to both the agency and the people she has served alongside. Her leadership and years of service have left a lasting impact on countless employees and on the agency as a whole.

As a woman in a position of leadership and authority, Warden Sandifer’s career is especially worthy of recognition. She has shown that strong leadership knows no gender—leading with confidence, determination, and grace while paving the way and setting an example for other women who aspire to serve in leadership roles within corrections.

Thirty-one years represents more than a career—it represents decades of sacrifice, responsibility, perseverance, and service.

Warden Sandifer, thank you for your leadership, your example, and your commitment to the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. May retirement bring you the opportunity to enjoy the rewards of a career well served and an exciting new chapter ahead.

Congratulations Warden Sandifer on 31 remarkable years of service and a well-earned retirement! 💐👏🏽

08/17/2026

Congratulations and thank you Officer Dews for embodying our new core values and showing up with H.E.A.R.T. each and everyday to conduct your daily jobs duties to the fullest extent! ‼️‼️

08/17/2026

07/19/2026

The Joe F. Gurney Unit Administration is pleased to announce the promotion of three outstanding individuals to the rank of Sergeant of Correctional Officers.

Please join us in congratulating:

⭐ Sgt. Nickie Page
⭐ Sgt. Ignatius Omenai
⭐ Sgt. John Pace

Each of these individuals has demonstrated exceptional dedication, professionalism, and a steadfast commitment to the mission of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. Their leadership, work ethic, and willingness to serve have earned them this well-deserved promotion.

As they begin this new chapter in their careers, we are confident they will continue to lead with integrity while exemplifying the TDCJ Core Values of Honor, Empathy, Accountability, Respect, and Trust. Their leadership will play an important role in supporting our staff, maintaining the safety and security of our unit, and mentoring the next generation of correctional professionals.

On behalf of the Joe F. Gurney Unit Administration, congratulations to Sgt. Page, Sgt. Omenai, and Sgt. Pace on this significant career milestone. We thank you for your continued service and wish you much success in your new roles.

Please help us congratulate our newest Sergeants! 👏🎉

07/18/2026

✨✨Gurney Unit- Caught in the spotlight ✨✨

This week the Gurney Unit would like to recognize Ja’Darius Jackson COII for his excellent job in intake and his commitment to safety.

Earlier this week, Officer Jackson demonstrated great correctional awareness by observing inmates engaged in dangerous behavior, despite conducting count on another dorm, stopping the behavior, getting help, and following up to make sure everyone was safe and the inmates were held accountable.

Although Officer Jackson does not have extensive experience, he set a great example of how staff should deal with situations, where inmates are engaging in unsafe acts and showed commitment to doing the right thing.

Thank you Officer Jackson for doing the right thing and taking safety seriously! Keep up the good work!

07/18/2026

The Joe F. Gurney Unit proudly recognizes Senior Correctional Officer Emmanuel D**e on reaching an incredible milestone of 10 years of dedicated service with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.

His hard work and unwavering service have made a positive impact on the Gurney Unit, and we are grateful for his continued contributions.

Thank you, Officer D**e, for your 10 years of faithful service and for exemplifying our Core Values of Honor, Empathy, Accountability, Respect, and Trust each day.

Congratulations on this well-earned milestone, and we wish you continued success in the years ahead!

07/09/2026

The Texas Department of Criminal Justice is introducing a new set of core values that form the foundation of who we are, what we do, and how we do it. They guide how we serve, support, and lead across the agency.

🌟 H – Honor
🌟 E – Empathy
🌟 A – Accountability
🌟 R – Respect
🌟 T – Trust

Together, these values define our commitment to protecting the public and transforming lives.

🔗 Learn more: https://www.tdcj.texas.gov/news/HEART_Launched_as_New_Core_Values.html

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07/09/2026

‼️‼️‼️

ATTN: All Agency Employees

FOUR Days to go!

To prepare for the CAPPS go-live, don’t forget to review the CAPPS guides and resources for the below topics and more on our training site: www.tdcj.texas.gov/capps/index.html

•Enrolling and Logging Into CAPPS
•Entering Your Time
•Using Time Reporting Codes

This information is the key to ensuring that your experience logging in to CAPPS on day one is quick and easy! Remember to check your agency email often for important updates.

07/08/2026

ATTN: ALL TDCJ Employees

TDCJ is transitioning to the state-mandated Centralized Accounting and Payroll/Personnel System (CAPPS) on July 13, 2026.

Employees can prepare by reviewing training materials about Time Reporting Codes (TRCs) to ensure that time is entered correctly and keep pay accurate.

📚 Training: https://www.tdcj.texas.gov/capps/training.html
💬 Frequently Asked Questions: https://www.tdcj.texas.gov/capps/faq.html

The agency remains committed to helping employees navigate this transition. Check your agency email daily for updates. 📧

07/07/2026

🎉 Congratulations to Counsel Substitute II, William Jock, on 40 Years of Service!

The Gurney Unit Administration proudly congratulates Mr. William Jock on reaching an incredible milestone — 40 years of dedicated service with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.

Mr. Jock, thank you for the outstanding work you perform each day and for the professionalism, dedication, and commitment you continue to show. Your service reflects our core values of Honor, Empathy, Accountability, Respect, and Trust, and your lasting impact on the Gurney Unit is truly appreciated.

Please join us in congratulating Mr. William Jock on this remarkable achievement and thanking him for his many years of hard work and service!