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 for terms expiring in 2029 and 2031, according to an April 1 announcement. The committee advises the board and director of the Texas Correctional Office on matters related to offenders with medical or mental impairments.
The appointments reflect ongoing efforts by state leadership to address issues faced by individuals in the criminal justice system who have medical or mental health needs. The committee is tasked with providing guidance on policies affecting this population.
Blake Harris is a licensed clinical forensic psychologist from Belton who has served as director of veterans’ mental health at the Texas Veterans Commission. He is also an executive council member for the Texas Suicide Prevention Collaborative. Stacey Mathews serves as judge of the 277th District Court in Williamson County and has founded several programs focused on transformative justice. She participates in various committees within the Judicial Commission on Mental Health.
Trent Marshall, a founding attorney based in Burleson, brings experience from legal associations across Texas and military service in the Texas Army National Guard. Casey O’Neal provides clinical and forensic psychology services in Austin while serving as president of a state association dedicated to treatment of sexual abusers. Nelda Cacciotti serves as Associate Judge for Probate Court No. 2 in Tarrant County and contributes her expertise through judicial commissions focused on mental health issues.
According to the official website, Governor Abbott’s office has contributed to job growth statewide while maintaining its primary offices at Austin’s State Insurance Building. Governor Abbott was named among TIME’s 100 Most Influential People in 2024 according to official sources. Since his election in 2014, he has led initiatives focusing on economic opportunities, education enhancement, protection of individual liberties, parental empowerment in schooling decisions, job creation, and border security according to his office.
The Office of Governor Greg Abbott delivers services throughout Texas under his leadership since being elected according to official information. These recent appointments are part of broader efforts by state government agencies working together under his administration.
