MERIT was recently featured in Chron in an article by Senior Trending Reporter Ahmed Humble titled, “Inside the Muslim-led prison program filling a void in Texas.” The May 2026 piece highlights MERIT’s graduation ceremony and explores how the program combines Islamic teachings, mentorship, accountability, and rehabilitation to help transform the lives of incarcerated men across Texas.

MERIT Featured in Muslim Journal Online

We’re honored to be featured by Muslim Journal Online, highlighting MERIT’s mission of Mentorship, Education, Rehabilitation, Integrated, and Training and the real impact our program is making in communities and correctional facilities.

Inaugural Graduation of the Chaplain Akbar Shabazz Academy

By Imam Marvin Muhammad

HOUSTON, Texas – On Oct. 24, 2024, the first graduating class of the “Chaplain Akbar Shabazz Academy’s MERIT program occurred.

The graduation was historic and perhaps the only program of its kind in the nation. The Academy and the MERIT program are both the result of the hard work, prayers and hope of Muslim inmates within the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ), the TDCJ Rehabilitation program, and the TDCJ Chaplaincy.

The academy’s name – Chaplain Akbar Shabazz Academy – was chosen on the day of the graduation, when everyone present unanimously voted to name it in honor of Chaplain Akbar Shabazz.

Chaplain Shabazz was the first Muslim Chaplain within the  Texas Department of Criminal Justice and faithfully served Muslim inmates for over 40 years. 

The beloved Imam succumbed to the COVID-19 virus but left an unmatchable legacy of service.

The goal of the academy is to conduct four programs:

1. Islamic Retreats: This is a program conducted by Muslim volunteers designed to provide inmates with one-on-one interaction with volunteers. 

The intent is to discuss issues of concern and to provide the inmates with the opportunity to see how other inmates have left TDCJ and are living healthy and progressive lives.

2. Millati Islami is an Islamic-based 12-step program based on the Qur’an and the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). The program integrates Islam with elements from Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous in helping Muslims overcome drug and alcohol addiction.

3. Islamic Leadership sessions are conducted with Muslim inmates with the goal of enhancing leadership skills, addressing methods of problem-solving, and encouraging Muslim inmates to engage in positive programming provided by TDCJ.

4. Mentorship, Education and Rehabilitation Inmate Training (MERIT) program:  the MERIT program is the core program of the Akbar Shabass Academy It is an inmate-led program that consists of the following:

• The Islamic path to Self-Development

• Self-purification

• Strategies for Success

•Tools for Cognitive Development

• Stages of Thought Progression

• Mindsets and Emotions

• Critical Thinking

• Tools of Leadership

• Creating Change

• Resolving Contemporary Issues, and more.

We want to thank TDCJ’s Director of the Rehabilitation Program Division, the Director of TDCJ Chaplaincy, the Wardens of units that participated in the program, the Chaplains of participating units, and most importantly, the host Unit’s Warden and Chaplain.

Lastly, special thanks to the Muslim volunteers who were in attendance, as well as the following for their sponsorship of the graduation meal:

• Masjid Taleem Muhammad – Houston, Texas

• 5th Ward Islamic Center for Human Development – Houston, Texas

• Masjid New Africa – Center for Human Development – Hitchcock, Texas. (For more information, contact Imam Marvin Muhammad at mmuhammad953@outlook.com.)