SAN ANGELO, TX — Gov. Greg Abbott announced today his appointment of 51st District Attorney Allison Palmer to the Texas Juvenile Justice Board. The Board “is charged to develop and implement rules to govern the department, executive director, and staff and to establish the mission and set goals for the department to emphasize keeping youth in home communities while balancing rehabilitative needs with public safety.”

The TJJB was formed in 2011 to combine the former Texas Juvenile Probation Commission (TJPC) and Texas Youth Commission (TYC) under one state agency.

Palmer, who won her elected position as the DA for the 51st Judicial District in 2012, was re-elected last year with no opponent. She is a Frisco native and graduate of The University of Texas at Austin. She earned her law degree at St. Mary's University in San Antonio. She has served as a prosecutor in San Angelo since 1995. In 2003, she joined the 51st DA’s office to work under then-DA Steve Lupton until winning Lupton’s seat. She is married to Winn Palmer since 2003 and has three children and two stepchildren.

According to the press release, “She currently serves on the Task Force on Improving Outcomes for Juveniles Adjudicated of Sexual Offenses and is a member of the National District Attorneys’ Association, Texas District and County Attorneys’ Association and the State Bar of Texas.”

In today’s announcement, Abbott also appointed three others to the board. They are:

• James Castro of Bergheim is the president and CEO of SAMSAT – San Antonio Museum of Science & Technology and former CEO of St. Peter – St. Joseph Children’s Home.
• James Smith of Midland is a commercial realtor and former county commissioner.
• Pama Hencerling of Victoria is the chief juvenile probation officer of Victoria and Goliad Counties.