| Beto Criminal Justice Center |
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The Criminal Justice Program's roots go back to the mid-1960s and a joint venture between the university and Texas Department of Corrections. Originally the Institute of Contemporary Corrections and Behavioral Sciences, courses were part of the Sociology Department and held in the Woods Building.
Construction began in the early 1970s on a new 197,000 square-foot complex - containing classrooms, offices, an auditorium, and courtroom - built entirely by inmate labor and thus severely reducing the cost of construction. A display in the building honors the inmates who helped with construction, noting the irony of the convicted felons building a facility to prepare future generation for careers in law enforcement. The cap of one such inmate - Terry - is included in the display.
Today, the Criminal Justice Complex includes the Beto Criminal Justice Center, University Hotel, and Bill Blackwood Law Enforcement Institute of Texas. |
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An aerial photo from the mid-1970s showing the construction of the CJ Center and adjoining University Hotel. |
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Governor Dolph Briscoe and his wife, Janey, unveiled the plaque for the dedication of the Criminal Justice Center, as shown in this 1978 Alcalde photo. |
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A landscaped planter box south of the main entrance was dedicated in 1990, the 25th anniversary of Criminal Justice classes at SHSU. The sundial honors the CJ Center alumni serving in law enforcement and memorializes those who have given their life in this field. |
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The plaque Briscoe unveiled is now featured prominently in the front lobby of the building. It�s probably one of the few plaques to feature a Bible verse: �Seek the peace of the city...� (Jeremiah 29:7). |
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