The Backgate Website was originated back in 1998 by a handful of Texas Department of Criminal Justice employees that wanted to network with other employees around the state and spread up to date prison and criminal justice news and information quickly. The site started as a stand alone message board and then eventually included a connected website or blog some years down the road. We have grown from 20 hits per day back in 1998 to thousands daily today from word of mouth and grass roots efforts. We are still a non-profit website, and bare no connection to the official agency website or their views.
We are a respected prison and criminal justice news source, and have worked with and supplied news and information to some of the most recognized media sources in the state and beyond. Our team is made up of eight past and present TDCJ employees working in every area of the website and message board. Those volunteers account for hundreds of years of combined correctional and law enforcement experience and expertise. Over the years we have assisted in Legislative Hearings, conducted interviews with TBCJ members, Legislators, authors, and Gubernatorial candidates.
We have also been praised and well received by many well known publications and public figures for our work. Together we stand for employee rights, agency improvements, and to stomp out corruption at all levels. With that, we hope to be around for years to come.
- The Backgate Web staff
