 One of the first appointments Apodaca made was Dr. Charles Becknell to be director of the Governor's Council on Criminal Justice Planning.Between 1976-1977 the planning staff selected by Dr. Becknell, were ideologically committed to rehabilitation and inmate rights.One of the first significant initiatives of the Governor's Council under Becknell's leadership was the development of Criminal Justice Standards and Goals for New Mexico that were based on National Standards and Goals initiated by the federal government in 1973.