Governor Greg Abbott appointed Blake Harris, Ph.D., Stacey Mathews, and Nelda Cacciotti and reappointed Trent Marshall and Casey O’Neal, Ph.D. to the Advisory Committee to the Texas Board of Criminal Justice on Offenders with Medical or Mental Impairments, according to an April 1 announcement. The terms for Harris, Mathews, Marshall, and O’Neal are set to expire on February 1, 2031. Cacciotti’s term will expire on February 1, 2029.
The advisory committee provides guidance to the board and director of the Texas Correctional Office on Offenders with Medical or Mental Impairments regarding issues affecting offenders who have medical or mental health needs. This group is also responsible for other duties assigned by the board.
Blake Harris is a licensed clinical forensic psychologist from Belton who previously led the veterans’ mental health department at the Texas Veterans Commission. He has served as an executive council member for suicide prevention initiatives and holds degrees from The University of Texas at Arlington, Stephen F. Austin State University, and Alliant International University.
Stacey Mathews serves as judge of Williamson County’s 277th District Court in Austin. She helped found the Transformative Justice Program and participates in several local oversight boards related to judicial matters and mental health initiatives.
Trent Marshall is a founding attorney based in Burleson who has experience serving in legal associations across Texas as well as military service in the Texas Army National Guard. Casey O’Neal provides clinical and forensic psychology services in Austin while leading professional organizations focused on treatment practices for sexual abuse cases.
Nelda Cacciotti works as Associate Judge of Probate Court No. 2 in Tarrant County where she participates in legal foundations and committees dedicated to mental health research data and rural issues.
According to the official website, Governor Abbott’s office contributed to statewide job growth while maintaining its main offices at Austin’s State Insurance Building. Greg Abbott was listed among TIME’s 100 Most Influential People in 2024 according to official records. The governor’s administration has focused efforts on job creation, economic opportunities, education enhancement, protection of individual liberties, parental empowerment within schools, and southern border security according to official sources since he took office after his election in 2014 according to official information. The office delivers services throughout all regions of Texas according to its website.
