Page 1 of 76
TDCJ Block 1 Exam – Study Guide | Texas
Department of Criminal Justice Core
Competencies
1. What years was the prison system of Texas called “Texas
State Penitentiary”?
A) 1836–1848
B) 1848–1866
C) 1866–1880
D) 1880–1900
Answer: B) 1848–1866
Rationale: Historical records show that the Texas State
Penitentiary operated under this name during the period 1848–
1866 before being reorganized.
2. What is the mission of the TDCJ?
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A) Punish offenders and maintain strict custody
B) Provide public safety, promote positive change in
offender behavior, reintegrate offenders, and assist victims
C) Only rehabilitate offenders
D) Reduce costs in prison management
Answer: B) Provide public safety, promote positive change in
offender behavior, reintegrate offenders, and assist victims
Rationale: The TDCJ’s mission emphasizes a balance of public
safety, rehabilitation, reintegration, and victim support rather
than just punishment.
3. Who is responsible for governing the TDCJ?
A) The Warden
B) The Board of Criminal Justice
C) The Governor of Texas
D) The Texas Legislature
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Answer: B) The Board of Criminal Justice
Rationale: The Board of Criminal Justice governs and sets policy
for the TDCJ.
4. What year was TDCJ established?
A) 1836
B) 1848
C) 1989
D) 2020
Answer: C) 1989
Rationale: The Texas Department of Criminal Justice was
established in 1989, consolidating the Texas prison system into
one agency.
5. What does CID stand for in TDCJ?
A) Criminal Investigation Division
B) Correctional Institutions Division
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C) Central Intelligence Department
D) Custodial Inmate Division
Answer: B) Correctional Institutions Division
Rationale: CID stands for Correctional Institutions Division, which
manages the prison facilities and units.
6. Who is the Correctional Institutions Director (CID Director)?
A) Bryan Collier
B) Bobby Lumpkin
C) Oscar Mendoza
D) John Werner
Answer: B) Bobby Lumpkin
Rationale: Bobby Lumpkin serves as the Correctional Institutions
Director for TDCJ.
7. Who is the TDCJ Executive Director?
TDCJ Block 1 Exam – Study Guide | Texas
Department of Criminal Justice Core
Competencies
1. What years was the prison system of Texas called “Texas
State Penitentiary”?
A) 1836–1848
B) 1848–1866
C) 1866–1880
D) 1880–1900
Answer: B) 1848–1866
Rationale: Historical records show that the Texas State
Penitentiary operated under this name during the period 1848–
1866 before being reorganized.
2. What is the mission of the TDCJ?
,Page 2 of 76
A) Punish offenders and maintain strict custody
B) Provide public safety, promote positive change in
offender behavior, reintegrate offenders, and assist victims
C) Only rehabilitate offenders
D) Reduce costs in prison management
Answer: B) Provide public safety, promote positive change in
offender behavior, reintegrate offenders, and assist victims
Rationale: The TDCJ’s mission emphasizes a balance of public
safety, rehabilitation, reintegration, and victim support rather
than just punishment.
3. Who is responsible for governing the TDCJ?
A) The Warden
B) The Board of Criminal Justice
C) The Governor of Texas
D) The Texas Legislature
,Page 3 of 76
Answer: B) The Board of Criminal Justice
Rationale: The Board of Criminal Justice governs and sets policy
for the TDCJ.
4. What year was TDCJ established?
A) 1836
B) 1848
C) 1989
D) 2020
Answer: C) 1989
Rationale: The Texas Department of Criminal Justice was
established in 1989, consolidating the Texas prison system into
one agency.
5. What does CID stand for in TDCJ?
A) Criminal Investigation Division
B) Correctional Institutions Division
, Page 4 of 76
C) Central Intelligence Department
D) Custodial Inmate Division
Answer: B) Correctional Institutions Division
Rationale: CID stands for Correctional Institutions Division, which
manages the prison facilities and units.
6. Who is the Correctional Institutions Director (CID Director)?
A) Bryan Collier
B) Bobby Lumpkin
C) Oscar Mendoza
D) John Werner
Answer: B) Bobby Lumpkin
Rationale: Bobby Lumpkin serves as the Correctional Institutions
Director for TDCJ.
7. Who is the TDCJ Executive Director?
