Walking George: The Life of George John Beto and the Rise of the Modern Texas Prison System (North Texas Crime and Criminal Justice): 5 - Hardcover

Horton, David M.; Nielsen, George R.

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1574411993 ISBN 13: 9781574411997

Publisher: University of North Texas Press,U.S., 2005

Synopsis

George John Beto (1916-1991) is best known for his contributions to criminal justice, but his fame is not limited to this field. ""Walking George"", authored by two of his former students, David M. Horton and George R. Nielsen, examines the entire life of Beto and his many achievements in the fields of both education and criminal justice - and how he wedded the two whenever possible. Beto initially studied to become a Lutheran pastor but instead was called to teach at Concordia Lutheran College in Austin, Texas. His successes there led him to revitalize a seminary in Springfield, Illinois, for three years, after which he left to become the director of the Texas Department of Corrections. Beto had no formal training in corrections, but during his years in Austin, he had served on the Texas Prison Board, a volunteer board that supervised the entire prison system. During his ten-year term as the director of the Texas Department of Corrections, Beto spearheaded many education and reform programs aimed at rehabilitating inmates. Most notable was his effort in 1969 to establish the Windham school district for educating inmates, the first of its kind at any prison in the United States. Beto's predilection to show up on foot in front of a given Texas prison, at all hours of the day and night, ready for an inspection and tour, earned him the nickname ""Walking George."" After retiring as head of the Texas prison system in 1972, he became a professor at Sam Houston State University's College of Criminal Justice until 1991. His leadership and participation propelled it to become the most esteemed program in the country.

About this title

About the Author

DAVID M. HORTON is professor and director of the Criminal Justice Program at St. Edward's University, Austin, Texas. He is the coauthor of Lone Star Justice: A Comprehensive Overview of the Texas Criminal Justice System. GEORGE R. NIELSEN taught at Concordia University in River Forest, Illinois, from 1959 to 1997. His most recent book, Johann Kilian, Pastor is a biography of the pastor of the Wends at Serbin, Texas. He lives in Rapid Ciry, South Dakota.

Edition details

• Publisher: University of North Texas Press,U.S.
• Publication date: 2005
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1574411993
• ISBN 13: 9781574411997
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 304