TDCJ Core Competencies
Examination
────────────────────────────────────────
Academic Assessment Review
Fiscal Year 2026–2027
Texas Department of Criminal Justice
Staff Development & Training Division
, TDCJ Core Competencies Examination 2026/2027
Table of Contents
(To update this Table of Contents, right-click anywhere in the list and select “Update Field” >
“Update entire table.”)
TDCJ Mission, Values & Organizational Structure .................................................................................... 3
Inmate Management & Custody Procedures ...............................................................................................5
Security Protocols & Contraband Control .................................................................................................... 7
Use of Force & Emergency Response Standards .......................................................................................10
Suicide Prevention & Mental Health Awareness ....................................................................................... 12
Health & Safety Standards .......................................................................................................................... 15
Legal/Ethical Responsibilities & Professional Conduct ............................................................................ 18
Documentation & Reporting Requirements .............................................................................................. 21
Interpersonal Communication & Conflict Resolution .............................................................................. 24
Scenario-Based Decision-Making in Correctional Settings ......................................................................27
References .................................................................................................................................................... 31
Page 2 of 31
, TDCJ Core Competencies Examination 2026/2027
This examination assesses core competencies required of TDCJ correctional staff across ten critical
operational domains. Each multiple-choice question is followed by the correct answer (indicated in
bold green) and a detailed rationale explaining the policy basis for the correct response. Staff are
expected to demonstrate knowledge consistent with current TDCJ operational standards, policy
directives, and best practices in correctional management.
TDCJ Mission, Values & Organizational Structure
1. What is the primary mission of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ)?
A) To maximize revenue through prison industries and work programs
B) To provide public safety, promote positive behavioral change in offenders,
and provide victim services
C) To incarcerate the maximum number of offenders at the lowest possible cost
D) To administer parole hearings and grant early releases to reduce overcrowding
Rationale: TDCJ's mission is centered on public safety, facilitating positive behavioral
change in offenders to reduce recidivism, and providing comprehensive victim services. This
tripartite mission reflects the agency's balanced approach to corrections.
2. Which of the following is identified as a core value of TDCJ?
A) Maximum enforcement through punitive measures
B) Cost reduction as the primary operational goal
C) Professionalism, integrity, and accountability in all operations
D) Expedited processing of all offender grievances within 24 hours
Rationale: TDCJ's core values emphasize professionalism, integrity, and accountability as
foundational principles guiding all staff conduct and agency operations. These values
ensure ethical standards and public trust.
3. Who is the chief executive officer responsible for the overall management of TDCJ?
A) The Texas Governor
B) The Texas Board of Criminal Justice Chair
C) The TDCJ Executive Director
D) The Inspector General
Rationale: The TDCJ Executive Director is appointed by and serves at the pleasure of the
Texas Board of Criminal Justice and is responsible for the overall management and
operation of the agency, implementing Board policies and directives.
4. What body sets policy for the Texas Department of Criminal Justice?
A) The Texas Legislature, Corrections Committee
B) The Texas Board of Criminal Justice
C) The Governor's Council on Criminal Justice
D) The TDCJ Executive Leadership Council
Rationale: The Texas Board of Criminal Justice (TBCJ) is the governing body that
establishes policy for TDCJ. The Board consists of nine members appointed by the Governor
with the advice and consent of the Texas Senate.
Page 3 of 31
, TDCJ Core Competencies Examination 2026/2027
5. According to chain-of-command principles, which action should a correctional
officer take when receiving conflicting orders from two supervisors of equal rank?
A) Follow the order of the supervisor with the most seniority in the agency
B) Follow the most recently issued order and notify the first supervisor afterward
C) Immediately request clarification from both supervisors before proceeding
D) Follow the order from the supervisor on duty at that time and document the conflict
Rationale: When receiving conflicting orders, the correct procedure is to immediately seek
clarification from both supervisors before taking any action. This prevents errors and
ensures that directives are properly understood and followed.
6. Under TDCJ's Code of Conduct, which behavior is most explicitly prohibited?
A) Communicating with offenders' family members during visitation
B) Engaging in any form of sexual abuse or sexual harassment of offenders
C) Requesting a transfer to a different unit after two years of service
D) Reporting a coworker's minor procedural violation to a supervisor
Rationale: TDCJ's Code of Conduct strictly prohibits all forms of sexual abuse and sexual
harassment of offenders. This prohibition is aligned with the Prison Rape Elimination Act
(PREA) and carries severe disciplinary consequences including termination and criminal
prosecution.
7. What is the purpose of the TDCJ Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) policy?
A) To grant hiring preference to candidates with prior correctional experience
B) To ensure all employment decisions are free from discrimination based on
race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, or disability
C) To establish minimum staffing quotas for underrepresented demographic groups
D) To mandate annual diversity training for all supervisory personnel only
Rationale: TDCJ's EEO policy ensures that all employment practices—including
recruitment, hiring, promotion, and termination—are conducted without discrimination
based on protected characteristics under both federal and state law.
8. What is the first step an employee should take when filing an internal grievance?
A) Submit a written grievance directly to the TDCJ Executive Director
B) Contact the Texas Governor's office for intervention
C) Attempt informal resolution with the immediate supervisor and, if
unresolved, file a formal written grievance through the chain of command
D) File a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)
Rationale: TDCJ's employee grievance process requires staff to first attempt informal
resolution with their immediate supervisor. If the issue is not resolved, the employee may
submit a formal written grievance that follows the established chain of command.
9. What is the primary function of the TDCJ Office of Inspector General (OIG)?
A) To conduct annual performance evaluations of all TDCJ executive staff
B) To investigate allegations of employee misconduct, fraud, and corruption
within the agency
C) To oversee the construction and maintenance of all TDCJ facilities
D) To manage the agency's budget and financial planning processes
Page 4 of 31
Examination
────────────────────────────────────────
Academic Assessment Review
Fiscal Year 2026–2027
Texas Department of Criminal Justice
Staff Development & Training Division
, TDCJ Core Competencies Examination 2026/2027
Table of Contents
(To update this Table of Contents, right-click anywhere in the list and select “Update Field” >
“Update entire table.”)
TDCJ Mission, Values & Organizational Structure .................................................................................... 3
Inmate Management & Custody Procedures ...............................................................................................5
Security Protocols & Contraband Control .................................................................................................... 7
Use of Force & Emergency Response Standards .......................................................................................10
Suicide Prevention & Mental Health Awareness ....................................................................................... 12
Health & Safety Standards .......................................................................................................................... 15
Legal/Ethical Responsibilities & Professional Conduct ............................................................................ 18
Documentation & Reporting Requirements .............................................................................................. 21
Interpersonal Communication & Conflict Resolution .............................................................................. 24
Scenario-Based Decision-Making in Correctional Settings ......................................................................27
References .................................................................................................................................................... 31
Page 2 of 31
, TDCJ Core Competencies Examination 2026/2027
This examination assesses core competencies required of TDCJ correctional staff across ten critical
operational domains. Each multiple-choice question is followed by the correct answer (indicated in
bold green) and a detailed rationale explaining the policy basis for the correct response. Staff are
expected to demonstrate knowledge consistent with current TDCJ operational standards, policy
directives, and best practices in correctional management.
TDCJ Mission, Values & Organizational Structure
1. What is the primary mission of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ)?
A) To maximize revenue through prison industries and work programs
B) To provide public safety, promote positive behavioral change in offenders,
and provide victim services
C) To incarcerate the maximum number of offenders at the lowest possible cost
D) To administer parole hearings and grant early releases to reduce overcrowding
Rationale: TDCJ's mission is centered on public safety, facilitating positive behavioral
change in offenders to reduce recidivism, and providing comprehensive victim services. This
tripartite mission reflects the agency's balanced approach to corrections.
2. Which of the following is identified as a core value of TDCJ?
A) Maximum enforcement through punitive measures
B) Cost reduction as the primary operational goal
C) Professionalism, integrity, and accountability in all operations
D) Expedited processing of all offender grievances within 24 hours
Rationale: TDCJ's core values emphasize professionalism, integrity, and accountability as
foundational principles guiding all staff conduct and agency operations. These values
ensure ethical standards and public trust.
3. Who is the chief executive officer responsible for the overall management of TDCJ?
A) The Texas Governor
B) The Texas Board of Criminal Justice Chair
C) The TDCJ Executive Director
D) The Inspector General
Rationale: The TDCJ Executive Director is appointed by and serves at the pleasure of the
Texas Board of Criminal Justice and is responsible for the overall management and
operation of the agency, implementing Board policies and directives.
4. What body sets policy for the Texas Department of Criminal Justice?
A) The Texas Legislature, Corrections Committee
B) The Texas Board of Criminal Justice
C) The Governor's Council on Criminal Justice
D) The TDCJ Executive Leadership Council
Rationale: The Texas Board of Criminal Justice (TBCJ) is the governing body that
establishes policy for TDCJ. The Board consists of nine members appointed by the Governor
with the advice and consent of the Texas Senate.
Page 3 of 31
, TDCJ Core Competencies Examination 2026/2027
5. According to chain-of-command principles, which action should a correctional
officer take when receiving conflicting orders from two supervisors of equal rank?
A) Follow the order of the supervisor with the most seniority in the agency
B) Follow the most recently issued order and notify the first supervisor afterward
C) Immediately request clarification from both supervisors before proceeding
D) Follow the order from the supervisor on duty at that time and document the conflict
Rationale: When receiving conflicting orders, the correct procedure is to immediately seek
clarification from both supervisors before taking any action. This prevents errors and
ensures that directives are properly understood and followed.
6. Under TDCJ's Code of Conduct, which behavior is most explicitly prohibited?
A) Communicating with offenders' family members during visitation
B) Engaging in any form of sexual abuse or sexual harassment of offenders
C) Requesting a transfer to a different unit after two years of service
D) Reporting a coworker's minor procedural violation to a supervisor
Rationale: TDCJ's Code of Conduct strictly prohibits all forms of sexual abuse and sexual
harassment of offenders. This prohibition is aligned with the Prison Rape Elimination Act
(PREA) and carries severe disciplinary consequences including termination and criminal
prosecution.
7. What is the purpose of the TDCJ Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) policy?
A) To grant hiring preference to candidates with prior correctional experience
B) To ensure all employment decisions are free from discrimination based on
race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, or disability
C) To establish minimum staffing quotas for underrepresented demographic groups
D) To mandate annual diversity training for all supervisory personnel only
Rationale: TDCJ's EEO policy ensures that all employment practices—including
recruitment, hiring, promotion, and termination—are conducted without discrimination
based on protected characteristics under both federal and state law.
8. What is the first step an employee should take when filing an internal grievance?
A) Submit a written grievance directly to the TDCJ Executive Director
B) Contact the Texas Governor's office for intervention
C) Attempt informal resolution with the immediate supervisor and, if
unresolved, file a formal written grievance through the chain of command
D) File a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)
Rationale: TDCJ's employee grievance process requires staff to first attempt informal
resolution with their immediate supervisor. If the issue is not resolved, the employee may
submit a formal written grievance that follows the established chain of command.
9. What is the primary function of the TDCJ Office of Inspector General (OIG)?
A) To conduct annual performance evaluations of all TDCJ executive staff
B) To investigate allegations of employee misconduct, fraud, and corruption
within the agency
C) To oversee the construction and maintenance of all TDCJ facilities
D) To manage the agency's budget and financial planning processes
Page 4 of 31
