While many folks claim to have helped build the campus in Brownwood that is now called Ron Jackson State Juvenile Correctional Complex, Mr. Eddy Hardy, who was just honored for his 40 years of faithful service, can honestly say he did.
Mr. Hardy started working for one of the contractors hired to build the campus in 1969 and worked on buildings in Unit 2, the Administration building and 2 dorms. When he was hired to work at the campus in 1972, he needed special permission because he was under-age. Mr. Hardy started in Maintenance and became a Juvenile Correctional Officer (JCO) in 1975.
He continues as a JCO in Security, having seen the campus change from all girls, to all boys, to coed and now back to all girls. Other changes Mr. Hardy noted were the severity of the delinquencies committed and the level of training JCOs now receive.Mr. Hardy reminisced about his first day as a JCO at the Brownwood State School. He was told to go to a dorm 2 hours before shift change. He watched the interaction between the students and other JCOs and when that shift ended, they handed him the keys and wished him luck. JCOs now receive at least 300 hours of training before they are allowed responsibility for a dorm.
When asked what he liked best about the job, Mr. Hardy replied: “It’s never boring. You never know from day to day or minute to minute what is about to change. The important thing is the students and being able to watch their progress. You get a student on campus that starts with a really bad attitude and you watch that student change their disposition and outlook toward life knowing you made a difference. You don’t come to work just for yourself, you come to support the whole campus. It’s been a ride!”
