Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) recently celebrated the groundbreaking of the new 43,000 SF Training Facility, for which Vaughn Construction serves as construction manager-at-risk. The facility will house full mock cells, a large open physical training room with a perimeter catwalk, multiple classrooms, video rooms, and administrative space. A separate building will provide a six-lane, 50-yard firing range and 80-occupant living barracks.
Representatives from the Windham School District, Walker County, and City of Huntsville government officials, and other distinguished community members attended the ceremony.
“On behalf of the Board, my hope for this facility is that it becomes a center of teamwork, excellence, and empowerment,” emphasized Eric J.R. Nichols, Texas Board of Criminal Justice chairman. “We are dedicating this facility to those women and men who carry out this mission of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, those same women and men who get up out of bed each day to protect our great state and commit to changing lives,”
Bobby Lumpkin, chief operations officer, echoed Nichols’ sentiment, stating, “This project is more than bricks and mortar. It represents our commitment to our employees and the community. With the [capacity to train] up to 400 participants concurrently, this dynamic center will enhance professional growth and create opportunities for our team. We are equipping our workforce with the knowledge, skills, resilience, and foundation that allows them to profoundly impact our organization and society.”
“This project holds significant importance to me as it marks my first ground-up project as superintendent,” said a Vaughn superintendent. “I have dedicated over 20 years at Vaughn and am incredibly proud to be involved in this endeavor.”
“I am thrilled to contribute to TDCJ’s training needs,” said a Vaughn project manager. “Our collaboration with TDCJ marks our first project together, allowing us to WOW the client and establish a strong relationship. This building will revolutionize employee training by enabling more hands-on, realistic scenarios, with all training conducted in-house.”
The new facility is expected to open in the summer of 2026.