Petty has been an employee of TDCJ for nine years, having started her career at the Snyder Distribution Center. She transferred to the Ware Unit in Colorado City in 1997, and to the Daniel Unit in 2000.
Her husband, Jim, is a criminal justice instructor at Western Texas College.
She has a daughter, Jennifer Hale, whose husband is Gary. She also has a daughter, Jennifer Dea, a junior at Texas Tech, and a son , Jordan Dea, a senior at Snyder High School.
According to Warden Wilhelmenia Howard, Petty’s recommendations included comments such as, “she has a very successful and organized human resources office definitely goes above and beyond while performing her job duties always willing to help when volunteers are needed.”
“We are all very proud of all Melissa does to make the Daniel Unit shine,” said Warden Howard.