TDCJ CORE COMPETENCIES EXAM – Actual PRACTICE
QUESTIONS Complete Practice Exam with Correct Answers and
Detailed Explanations
Topic Key Points
Mission & Mission: Public safety, positive change, reintegration, victim assistance.
Values Values: Courage, Perseverance, Integrity, Commitment
Key Control "SITE & TOUCH" identification, armed officer carries restraint keys, number
on keys = number of keys in set
Search Pat search leaving back gate, strip search entering, bi-annual
Procedures comprehensive searches, cell searches check integrity/fire safety
Transport Key holes UP, security supervisor checks restraints, 3 officers for medical
transport
Use of Force 9 Steps: Listen, Attempt to Calm, Explain Consequences, Notify Supervisor,
Request Video, Secure Area, Request Staff, Show of Force, Initiate ICS
Counts 6 counts in 24 hours, continuous counts in craft shop/kitchen/field/transport,
egress checks every hour
Safety Security checks every 30 minutes, CPR: 100-120 compressions/min, 1.5-2"
depth
PREA Prison Rape Elimination Act of 2003, immediate reporting required
Communication 5 C's: Clear, Concise, Complete, Concrete, Correct
SECTION 1: TDCJ MISSION, VALUES & FOUNDATIONS (Questions 1-20)
,Q1. What is the mission statement of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice?
A) To provide public safety, promote positive change in offender behavior, reintegrate
offenders into society, and assist victims of crime
B) To incarcerate offenders and protect the public
C) To rehabilitate all offenders through education and training
D) To serve as the largest prison system in the United States
Correct Answer: A. To provide public safety, promote positive change in offender
behavior, reintegrate offenders into society, and assist victims of crime
The TDCJ mission statement encompasses four key elements: public safety, positive
change in offender behavior, reintegration, and victim assistance. This mission guides all
operations and policies within the agency .
Q2. Which year was TDCJ originally established?
A) 1836
B) 1848
C) 1910
D) 1972
Correct Answer: B. 1848
TDCJ traces its origin to 1848, when the Texas legislature established the first prison
system. This foundational year marks the beginning of organized corrections in Texas .
Q3. What are the four Core Values of TDCJ?
,A) Safety, Security, Respect, Integrity
B) Courage, Perseverance, Integrity, Commitment
C) Honesty, Compassion, Respect, Service
D) Loyalty, Duty, Honor, Courage
Correct Answer: B. Courage, Perseverance, Integrity, Commitment
The four Core Values of TDCJ are Courage, Perseverance, Integrity, and Commitment.
These values serve as the foundation for professional conduct and decision-making for all
staff .
Q4. What are the four divisions that report to the Texas Board of Criminal Justice?
A) Correctional Institutions Division, Parole Division, Community Justice Assistance
Division, and Administrative Division
B) Office of Inspector General, State Counsel for Offenders, Internal Audit, and Private
Facilities Division
C) Training and Leader Development Division, Health Services Division, and Support
Services
D) Institutional Division, Rehabilitation Division, Medical Division, and Security Division
Correct Answer: B. Office of Inspector General, State Counsel for Offenders, Internal
Audit, and Private Facilities Division
These four divisions report directly to the Texas Board of Criminal Justice, providing
oversight and independent review of TDCJ operations .
Q5. The Correctional Institutions Division (CID) is responsible for:
, A) Parole supervision and release
B) Managing state prisons, transfer facilities, and substance abuse felony punishment
facilities
C) Community supervision and probation
D) Training all TDCJ employees
Correct Answer: B. Managing state prisons, transfer facilities, and substance abuse
felony punishment facilities
CID is the largest division within TDCJ, responsible for the secure confinement and custody
of offenders in state-operated facilities .
Q6. What does the acronym PREA stand for?
A) Prison Reform and Evaluation Act
B) Prison Rape Elimination Act
C) Prevention of Recidivism and Enforcement Act
D) Prisoner Rights and Equality Act
Correct Answer: B. Prison Rape Elimination Act
PREA is the Prison Rape Elimination Act of 2003, a federal law designed to prevent sexual
abuse and sexual harassment in correctional facilities. Staff must be familiar with PREA
reporting requirements .
Q7. The Ruiz v. Estelle lawsuit resulted in:
A) Fewer inmate rights and privileges
B) More rights and better living conditions for inmates
QUESTIONS Complete Practice Exam with Correct Answers and
Detailed Explanations
Topic Key Points
Mission & Mission: Public safety, positive change, reintegration, victim assistance.
Values Values: Courage, Perseverance, Integrity, Commitment
Key Control "SITE & TOUCH" identification, armed officer carries restraint keys, number
on keys = number of keys in set
Search Pat search leaving back gate, strip search entering, bi-annual
Procedures comprehensive searches, cell searches check integrity/fire safety
Transport Key holes UP, security supervisor checks restraints, 3 officers for medical
transport
Use of Force 9 Steps: Listen, Attempt to Calm, Explain Consequences, Notify Supervisor,
Request Video, Secure Area, Request Staff, Show of Force, Initiate ICS
Counts 6 counts in 24 hours, continuous counts in craft shop/kitchen/field/transport,
egress checks every hour
Safety Security checks every 30 minutes, CPR: 100-120 compressions/min, 1.5-2"
depth
PREA Prison Rape Elimination Act of 2003, immediate reporting required
Communication 5 C's: Clear, Concise, Complete, Concrete, Correct
SECTION 1: TDCJ MISSION, VALUES & FOUNDATIONS (Questions 1-20)
,Q1. What is the mission statement of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice?
A) To provide public safety, promote positive change in offender behavior, reintegrate
offenders into society, and assist victims of crime
B) To incarcerate offenders and protect the public
C) To rehabilitate all offenders through education and training
D) To serve as the largest prison system in the United States
Correct Answer: A. To provide public safety, promote positive change in offender
behavior, reintegrate offenders into society, and assist victims of crime
The TDCJ mission statement encompasses four key elements: public safety, positive
change in offender behavior, reintegration, and victim assistance. This mission guides all
operations and policies within the agency .
Q2. Which year was TDCJ originally established?
A) 1836
B) 1848
C) 1910
D) 1972
Correct Answer: B. 1848
TDCJ traces its origin to 1848, when the Texas legislature established the first prison
system. This foundational year marks the beginning of organized corrections in Texas .
Q3. What are the four Core Values of TDCJ?
,A) Safety, Security, Respect, Integrity
B) Courage, Perseverance, Integrity, Commitment
C) Honesty, Compassion, Respect, Service
D) Loyalty, Duty, Honor, Courage
Correct Answer: B. Courage, Perseverance, Integrity, Commitment
The four Core Values of TDCJ are Courage, Perseverance, Integrity, and Commitment.
These values serve as the foundation for professional conduct and decision-making for all
staff .
Q4. What are the four divisions that report to the Texas Board of Criminal Justice?
A) Correctional Institutions Division, Parole Division, Community Justice Assistance
Division, and Administrative Division
B) Office of Inspector General, State Counsel for Offenders, Internal Audit, and Private
Facilities Division
C) Training and Leader Development Division, Health Services Division, and Support
Services
D) Institutional Division, Rehabilitation Division, Medical Division, and Security Division
Correct Answer: B. Office of Inspector General, State Counsel for Offenders, Internal
Audit, and Private Facilities Division
These four divisions report directly to the Texas Board of Criminal Justice, providing
oversight and independent review of TDCJ operations .
Q5. The Correctional Institutions Division (CID) is responsible for:
, A) Parole supervision and release
B) Managing state prisons, transfer facilities, and substance abuse felony punishment
facilities
C) Community supervision and probation
D) Training all TDCJ employees
Correct Answer: B. Managing state prisons, transfer facilities, and substance abuse
felony punishment facilities
CID is the largest division within TDCJ, responsible for the secure confinement and custody
of offenders in state-operated facilities .
Q6. What does the acronym PREA stand for?
A) Prison Reform and Evaluation Act
B) Prison Rape Elimination Act
C) Prevention of Recidivism and Enforcement Act
D) Prisoner Rights and Equality Act
Correct Answer: B. Prison Rape Elimination Act
PREA is the Prison Rape Elimination Act of 2003, a federal law designed to prevent sexual
abuse and sexual harassment in correctional facilities. Staff must be familiar with PREA
reporting requirements .
Q7. The Ruiz v. Estelle lawsuit resulted in:
A) Fewer inmate rights and privileges
B) More rights and better living conditions for inmates
