Transforming Corrections: Leading from the Middle Towards Vision and Mission

Doug Dretke is the Interim Director of the Global Engagement Center at Sam Houston State University (SHSU), bringing decades of leadership in corrections, criminal justice education, and international reform.

 

A seasoned corrections executive, Dretke previously served as Director of the Office of Comparative and International Education and Leadership at SHSU’s College of Criminal Justice (2024–2026). Prior to this role, he dedicated 17 years as Executive Director of the Correctional Management Institute of Texas (CMIT), where he spearheaded state and national training programs and led U.S. Department of State-funded initiatives in global corrections leadership.

 

His distinguished career began with 26 years at the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ), where he rose from correctional officer to Director of the Correctional Institutions Division, overseeing 100+ prison facilities.

 

Education & Academic Roles:
Dretke holds a BS in Criminology and Corrections (SHSU) and a Master of Public Administration (Texas A&M, Corpus Christi). As an adjunct faculty member at SHSU, he teaches Correctional Systems and Practices and bridges theory with real-world expertise.

 

Professional Leadership:
Active in ACA, APPA, AJA, and ICPA, Dretke has chaired ACA’s Resolutions and Policy Committee and served on the ICPA North America Board. He previously held roles on ACA’s Board of Governors and Professional Certification Commission.

 

Honors & Global Impact:
Recipient of the prestigious 2024 ACA E.R. Cass Correctional Achievement Award, he also earned the Dr. George J. Beto Hall of Honor Award (2009), the Defensor Pacis Award (SHSU), and the Texas Pre-Trial Services Pioneer Award. His international work includes prison reform training and collaborations with the U.S. State Department.

 

Dretke is a nationally and internationally recognized leader, blending operational excellence, academic rigor, and a commitment to advancing correctional systems worldwide
 

Mike Thompson has spent more than 30 years leading and advising nonprofit, government, and philanthropic organizations. He has been a senior executive with The Pew Charitable Trusts and with The Council of State Governments, where he founded and led the Justice Center. His work in the area of corrections has prompted hearings by the U.S. Congress and countless state legislatures, leading to major bipartisan state and federal initiatives focused on justice reinvestment, behavioral health, and reentry.  

Currently, Mike directs the Safe Inside Project, a national initiative that combines research and operational insight to improve working and living conditions in state correctional systems. Safe Inside focuses on trends in the corrections workforce, and what those mean for public safety, state spending, and the health and well-being of people who work and live behind the walls.  Safe Inside is conducted in partnership with the Correctional Leaders Association, which represents the directors of state departments of corrections.  It is made possible through funding support provided by the U.S. Department of Justice’s Bureau of Justice Assistance. Additional assistance is provided by Arnold Ventures.

Former Deputy Director General of Polish Prison Service. Previously the commander of the Central Training Centre of Prison Service, for 10 years senior lecturer at this center. Responsible for training courses focusing on ICT in prisons, security, confidential information, personal data protection and how to use of devices to control people, luggage and vehicles. For ten years was a lecturer/trainer at the Security Training Department. Specialist in technical protective security, in particular, alarm systems. Researcher of video surveillance systems in the Polish Prison Service for over eight years. With two years experience in power engineering, twenty years in designing low-current systems, electronic security - alarm systems and a two-year internship in Saudi Arabia in the field of power industry and automation. Expert and lecturer at the Training Center of the Polish Chamber of Alarm Systems. Completed a trainer course in the international R4JUST Masterclass and MIRAD projects and a week-long training in Lisbon in the use of the IRS (Individual Radicalization Screening) and VR (Virtual Reality) R2PRIS RRAP tools. Completed a course "Preventing radicalization and violent extremism in criminal justice settings: Multi-level training and cooperation procedures towards detection, identification, rehabilitation and reintegration of VETOs" and "Effectiveness of Exit Strategies and Programmes". Completed a course “Radicalization in Prison and Detention Centres” CEPOL. Completed a course "DIGICORE Digital Transition in Corrections Awareness Course”. Completed a trainer course in the international VR4React project "Preventing reactive aggression in prison using virtual reality technology". A graduate of Łódź Technical University majoring in Industrial Power and Applied Computer. Moreover, successfully completed post-diploma studies at the Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań, Poland – "Pedagogy" and at the University of Economics in Poznań, Poland – "Organization and Management in Public Administration". Former expert in the inter-ministerial team for the Common Security and Defence Policy of the European Union. Coordinator VR4React project in Polish Prison Service "Preventing reactive aggression in prison using virtual reality technology". Author of reviews in the field of video surveillance systems (VSS, CCTV) for courts and prosecutors.

Currently Cezary is European Commission expert in TAIEX projects, in the field of vocational and specialized training, education, protection of critical infrastructure, deradicalization, extremism, terrorism and prison service.