The Texas Juvenile Justice Department (TJJD), responsible for overseeing the state’s five youth correctional facilities, is now without its executive director following the resignation of Shandra Carter on Friday. Carter had held the position since 2022, though the reasons behind her departure remain unclear.
This change in leadership comes just over two months after the department instituted an extended lockdown across all youth prisons, a response to an assault on a juvenile correctional officer that occurred in August. The news of Carter’s resignation was initially reported by KUT.
In the interim, TJJD Deputy Executive Director Sean Grove will assume the role of acting leader while the agency’s board begins the process of searching for a permanent replacement, as stated by Board Chair Manny Ramirez. He expressed appreciation for Carter’s service and emphasized the board’s commitment to enhancing the agency’s operations.
Ramirez did not provide specific details regarding Carter’s resignation when approached for comment. Meanwhile, TJJD Chief of Staff Nathan McDaniel confirmed her exit but refrained from elaborating further.
Carter initially stepped into the executive director role on an interim basis in April 2022, following the abrupt resignation of her predecessor, who left just hours after Governor Greg Abbott announced a diversion of significant funds from the TJJD budget for border security purposes. At that time, the juvenile prison system was facing severe challenges, including a staff exodus and the need to pause youth intakes due to operational crises.
Compounding these issues, the U.S. Justice Department was investigating the agency over the treatment of juveniles in its facilities. A 2024 report from the DOJ highlighted unconstitutional conditions across the board, citing instances of excessive force and sexual abuse, as well as inadequate mental health and educational services for vulnerable youth. The Texas agency, in response, emphasized its commitment to a zero-tolerance policy for abuse and claimed to be making significant strides in staff recruitment and training.
Recent reports indicated improvements in staffing levels within the youth prisons; however, challenges related to shortages and high turnover rates persist. The agency has also indicated a willingness to accept more youth with complex needs, particularly in terms of aggression and mental health support.
Earlier this month, under Carter’s leadership, TJJD announced the groundbreaking of two new facilities in Ellis and Brazoria Counties. These institutions are designed to cater to youth with severe mental and behavioral health issues, as well as those displaying high-risk and violent behaviors.
Nonetheless, these developments faced criticism from juvenile justice advocates who have long called for the closure of youth prisons in favor of community-based solutions. They also condemned the extended lockdown of all TJJD facilities, which began in early August, citing instances of self-harm among youth and delays in care as violations of civil rights. Advocates argue that these situations underscore the inadequacies of state lockups for treating young individuals.
Carter addressed the lockdown during a TJJD board meeting on August 21, referring to it as a necessary measure to ensure safety following the attack on a correctional officer. She maintained that this operation did not infringe on the rights of the youth in custody.
In response to the agency’s recent actions, Sarah Beebe, supervising staff attorney for the Texas Civil Rights Project, criticized the juxtaposition of new construction initiatives while existing facilities grapple with issues of self-harm among youth. She urged TJJD to halt the groundbreakings, prioritize the safety of all youth in custody, and reintegrate as many as possible back into their communities.
