Thursday, April 05, 2007

TYC Roundup

Still more inepth news coverage from on the Texas Youth Commission is rolling out this week. I thought I'd run through the highlights.

Playing 'Gotcha' With Employees
The Dallas News analyzed TYC employees' criminal and grievance records and determined that "employees with criminal backgrounds were twice as likely as other staffers to be accused of abusing young inmates." (To be fair to the employees, I wish they'd focused the analysis on sustained complaints - lots of kids file grievances, some more justified than others.) A commenter correctly suggests this story proves TYC had already run criminal background checks on its employees when it demanded they all report past criminal convictions. That means the agency is playing "gotcha," hoping to catch employees who lie or erroneously omit past criminal convictions so they can be terminated along with the others.

Even Dick Armey Knew
Capitol Annex has obtained the correspondence former Congressman Dick Armey sent to Gov. Rick Perry in 2001 alleging abuse at TYC. Check it out.

Fixing TYC will cost $100 million
The Lege says it will cost an addition $100 mil to fix TYC, from boosting staffing to reconfiguring facilities to expanding probation and interim sanction beds, reports the Austin Statesman. That's a 20% increase over TYC's budget last biennium.

Al Price employees say TYC retaliates
At the Al Price Unit in Beaumont, 30 employees were fired in the last two years for 59 offenses, but most prosecutions have focused on youth, not staff, say county prosecutors. Staff there "say they are victims of retaliation by supervisors for complaining about insufficient staff, low morale and on-going abuse of inmates at TYC facilities across the state." See more from a local TV station.

Forget what Perry knew; what is he thinking?
The Austin Statesman examines how Governor Rick Perry has bungled through the aftermath of the TYC scandal revelations.

What about aftercare for TYC kids?
KCEN-TV quoted TYC case manager Anthony Mikulastik (whose recent op/ed I linked to on Monday) questioning whether TYC was adequately providing aftercare for kids who are released. He said that:
292 inmates will leave because TYC shortened the length of their rehabilitation treatment, which includes intensive counseling.

That decision has Marlin TYC Case Manager Anthony Mikulastik worried.

"We’re going to put them right back in the same environment where they've failed previously, so they can fail again because we haven't provided anything for them to succeed," Mikulastik said.
Adding fuel to his concerns, KCEN reported that "TYC officials said once the inmates are released the commission is no longer responsible for any additional counseling the parolees may need."

Kimbrough: 'All the kids who have completed their sentences need to be out'
See the Washington Post coverage of TYC releases this morning.

What impact would closing facilities have on rural communities?
Democratic Rep. Pete Gallego pled this week for the Pyote facility in West Texas to remain open, reported the Austin Statesman, declaring,
"These facilities are tremendously important to those local communities, but, in politics, the guys running the state have to have a scapegoat, and Pyote is it," said Rep. Pete Gallego, D-Alpine, who represents the town and several larger ones close by that would also lose jobs if the lockup closes.

"The small, rural communities put a lot into supporting these TYC facilities, support you couldn't get in an urban area. It's a good place for a school like this. It gives those kids a change of scenery, a chance to ponder their future, and what better place to do that than under the clear West Texas sky?"

What better place? Uh ... how about smaller facilities designed for youth rehabilitation located near urban areas where the kids can be near their families? How about someplace with enough population density to staff the facilities? How about someplace where prosecuting crime isn't a part-time job? Here's a map indicating where TYC facilities are located.

67 comments:

Anonymous said...

One reason for keeping the rural facilities is that the parents of these kids can't afford to drive across the state to visit them. Stats show that kids whose family supports them and visits them are less likely to offend again. Believe it or not, there ARE people west of I-35!

Gritsforbreakfast said...

But the parents of most of these kids live in Houston and DFW, is the point, and west of I-35 they live in Lubbock, Midland and El Paso, not Pyote. I agree kids do better with family visits - that's exactly why the facilities shouldn't be in BFE!

Anonymous said...

here's my suspicion: that the legislative reps from houston, dallas, etc. did not want juvenile delinquents in their districts, and in 'bfe' so to speak, they needed a way to employ people as their towns were drying up.

Further, I believe years ago, I heard a TYC employee note that it was easier to keep the kids contained in the middle of nowhere when escapes happened.

Please don't think I'm defending it, ust shedding light on how it probably evolved.

Anonymous said...

Didn't the Supreme Court decide recently in favor of the idea that the Courts (Judge, Jury)should decide the punishment for a crime? Texas may be on very shaky ground extending the sentence of anyone in detention without following due process. Why would children be an exception?

Doesn't seem to me there was much in the way of due process going on at TYC!

Gritsforbreakfast said...

To anonymous @ 9:40: The issue here is that TYC decides the length of incarceration, b/c the agency decides when a child has been rehabilitated. Judges under the current system set a minimum length of stay, but TYC can keep them there for years longer. So administrative authority for keeping or releasing these prisoners, for good or ill, as I understand it rests entirely with TYC as a state agency - the judges' minimum requirements have long since been fulfilled.

The Geography Lady said...

1. Judges don't even set a minimum- it's called an "indeterminate sentence" and it extends from time of sentencing until the youth turns 21.
2. Pyote was formerly the West Texas Children's Home, and when the state got out of the childcare business and shifted it to foster families, TYC inherited the facility.
3. Staffing is not the problem - salaries and professionalism are. Most of the people who work at Pyote are wonderful folks. It is only hard to maintain the standard when the salaries are so low. Fortunately, housing prices in Monahans (the closest town) are low, and its a great place to raise kids, so the low salaries are not as much of a problem out there as they would be if the facility was located in Dallas. If you can earn the same money working at the mall, why risk getting assaulted at TYC?

Anonymous said...

the geography lady - you are just dead wrong. Staffing is an issue. Many of TYC's facilities are seriously understaffed and they either run at dangerously low staff-to-youth ratios or they work staff hihg amounts of overtime or both.

Of course, increasing salaries would help attract more (and more "professional") staff, which would alleviate some of the staffing problems.

Anonymous said...

Once again, why would you place the facilities around Houston, Dallas, Austin, etc, when the unemployment rate is so low. Not to mention the fact that yes the salaries are not competitive (I really do not see a $200/$400 across the board per month raise on the horizon). So knowing this why would anyone place these facilities where you cannot compete, it is so easy to say lets just do this, but if the salaries are not there, and they will not be, it really does not make any sense.

Anonymous said...

Juvenile correctional facilities have been located in isolated rural areas since the 19th century for a variety of reasons.

Land was cheaper and easier to acquire, staff salaries were low, and, until at least the 1930s, kids were used essentially as convict laborers on farmland owned by the state and by private farmers. All of this mattered for a legislature that historically has been reluctant to invest public funds in services generally.

It has also been an article of faith since the 1820s that relocating orphaned, abused, or delinquent kids from urban to rural settings was inherently beneficial for them. There's not much proof that this is true or false, but many still believe it.

The idea of abandoning large, lockdown facilities in rural areas in favor of smaller ones near the cities from which most juvies come has been floated since the 1940s, for exactly the same reasons other commenters have given here.

To do it properly, though, would require a serious financial investment in facilities, professional staff salaries, and oversight.

My personal view is that the legislature needs to give it serious consideration, along with other long-term proposals, rather than take a band-aid to the problem by simply firing a few people, sending a bunch of kids home, and declaring victory.
Bill Bush

Anonymous said...

I only have one comment...Hamilton State School. Enough said. The community didn't want them, they could never staff the place even in Bryan/College Station and the chicken plant paid better. The pool of employees didn't exist, even in such a highly populated area...so you can't use population numbers to justify employment potential for a TYC facility.

Anonymous said...

anonymous at 2:00pm...one problem with the comparison to Hamilton...that facility was HUGE...the largest in TYC at the time. In addition to putting the facilities closer to urban areas they are also talking about making them smaller. Smaller would be a good thing no matter where they put facilities. Whether in rural, suburban, or urban areas...smaller facilities would require fewer staff, even to run at a good staff-to-youth ratio, therefor one would hope that we could be pickier about who we hire.

Anonymous said...

I have to agree with 2:05 pm. Hamilton was too big. But also, if the salaries had been more than what the chicken plant paid- there would have been a better quality of employee. Having facilites in better populated areas at least allows for the opportunity to attract people who may be willing to move there to work. Bigger cities offer bigger things and better resources. When you have them out in areas like podunk West Texas and Marlin- the towns are not in the least bit appealing nor offer a person any incentive to move there.

Anonymous said...

anonymous at 1:50 - you lay out some great explanation w/ regard to the facility locations. I would just add as another reason: political wrangling.

Dunham bragging about how hard he fought to have Mart and Marlin in his district. The lege being cheap and giving TYC the leftovers, whether it be an abandoned AFB, a former public school or a retro-fitted adult facility - it's been pretty much 'you'll take what you get and like it'.

And never underestimate the NIMBY principle, no matter what face the politicians put on in public. We need an institution in Harris County? Hell...anybody remember Middleton House?? They didn't even want a 24-bed halfway house in that county. Please.

If this idea is gonna float, it needs more than lip-service by the decision-makers. And yes...that means YOU, Mr. Whitmire. If they are willing to actually commit to this, then I'm all for it. Otherwise, it's just a bunch of hot air, more of the same.

Anonymous said...

The Senators will not be so quick to push these juveniles out the door when it is a member of their family that is a victim of one of their crimes. Where are the victim rights groups and the families of the victims of these juveniles? Do they not have a say in what is happening?

Anonymous said...

To 5:33 pm
For Christ's sake- will you pay attention! The youth being released were already DUE to be released but were either being held up by placement issues, people dragging their feet on the paperwork or from being extended in their stays for ridiculous (non-violent)reasons. If you want to complain about THAT- see your local judge for not making their mandated sentence LONG enough- don't gripe that they are getting out when they are supposed to (or long after they should have).

Anonymous said...

Anon 8:32 West Texas did not have a fence in years past. I heard when a youth took off, they would not let them back in for a couple of hours after they came back. It would teach them not to run off.

Anonymous said...

Last time I looked a youth who has not worked the program was not due to go home. The judge would commit them until their 21st birthday, if you cannot figure this out, I cant help you. The problem with releasing all these youth is that the program has not changed, TYC is still teaching Resoicialization. The brains that is currently running this organization should 1st suspend this program and then release youth, not the other way around but I guess that would not make the headlines. If you have rules regardless of what you believe about these rules they are still rules, change them 1st. The headlines states the youth have completed their stay, this is not even close to the truth but it makes the headlines, and some of you (who seem to be clueless) believe what you read. One last thing, go to the TDCJ website, jobs, Central Texas, and then cities, you will see Marlin listed as a TDCJ unit???? I thought they said two TYC facilities would go to TDCJ????

Anonymous said...

Hobby Unit is at Marlin. It is a tdcj womens unit.

Anonymous said...

http://www.statesman.com/news/
content/region/legislature/
stories/04/06/6tyc.html


Want a good laugh? Releasing kids that had already released themselves.

Gritsforbreakfast said...

BTW, since several TYC folk seem to be struggling with creating links, to leave a link in the comments you need to use a symple HTML code. It's really easy. Here's a cheatsheet that tells you how. Go to the section on links and use their code, plugging in your own desired URL.

best,

Anonymous said...

Umph… bust a move… here we go again... they just walked another Superintendent out. Word on the street is that he did nothing criminal, but rather one of his subordinates called the state auditors office as opposed to the TDCJ-OIG "hotline" to report an alleged mistreatment allegation. The allegation was filed using the new TYC system, but this person called the wrong number and now the superintendent is suspended? And the facility? You got it.... West Texas, where it all began.

Stand by…. The devil, or rather Jay, will return after Easter weekend. My prayers to you all...

(Scott, this word verification system is hard to read man!)

Anonymous said...

I thought the "NEW" leadership was cleaning house with all the Executives that were in Austin. You cannot make me believe they had no knowledge of what was taking place with this organization. It appears the "Jay and Ed" show needs some of these culprits around to assist them with what the juvenile justice system is about, now this is real scary, back to step one???

Gritsforbreakfast said...

Sorry about the word verification - sometimes I mess it up, too! - but you wouldn't believe the amount of comment spam I got before I installed it.

On the fence, or not, at Pyote, Harry Whittington told a great story about that on Burkablog. In the 80s they wanted a fence, and he was on the board and asked what they were protecting. Turns out the only thing nearby was a gas station a couple of miles down the road. Whittington suggested it would be cheaper just to build a fence around the gas station, and soon thereafter, he said, the proposal was dropped.

Anonymous said...

To 5:19,
If the Superintendent you are speaking of is Curtis Simmons- he needed not only to be walked out in handcuffs- he should have had his pink slip waiting for him as he walked out. He is as dirty as they come. How do you think he's made it up the ranks? Know his track record and his pals?? Just read through the papers and blogs- all their names appear. The man is an idiot. He can't even say or spell Resocialization (and I'm not kidding- he says ReSoSiation). And let's not forget his favorite saying to "dot your T's and cross your I's". I wish I was kidding again. He never gets it right- and he's not saying it as a joke. He has been part of the cover up from day one. Reporting the grievance to the wrong agency just shows his genius again. If he hasn't figured out by now, with all this crap hitting the fan, how to report abuse- then please, by all means, skip his ignorant ass right out of TYC.

Anonymous said...

Right on 10:05! I thought we were the only ones who thought Simmons was a joke.
Hey 5:19, you don't think the directive to report it to the wrong place didn't come from Simmons? HA! Yeah right. There's more to this story. If it was a mistake then the subordinate would have been dealt with in a "mistake" manner. Simmons was probably dumb enough to tell them to report it that way or stupid enough to defend them if questioned about it. Simmon's is worse than an idiot. He's an idiot in a high position.

Anonymous said...

Not to defend Curtis Simmons but the folks commenting on this seem to be TYC staff, I guess it will be okay for Jay and ED to have you walked out the door when you are late on an ICP, you code a CCF-225 incorrectly, you don't do your 15 minute door check, etc, etc. I think the issue, if it is true, is that an employee (Simmons) who followed the steps and reported abuse but had a subordinate call the hot line and the subordinate called the wrong number can get you suspended. If you believe this is justice then you will probably be next, I am sure you have never made any mistakes while working. Once again I am not defending his IQ or his ability but the issue of how he was sent packing.

Anonymous said...

Chances are, there are about 1000 more reason as to why Mr. Simmons was walked off the campus. He has been in the agency a long time and has himself been involved in many things. If he wasn't walked off campus from the "word off the street info" given in the post, you can most likely be assurred it was for one if not many of the other things he has been involved with. The reporting to the wrong agency mistake was most likely just a cover story or something else talked about that was convenient to point to.

Anonymous said...

What a mess. To the prior postings regarding Simmons, you are about as foul as they come. It's that idiot thinking that got us here to begin with....

I apologize that you are unqualified for anything that you are... you're probably a very good example of why we need to re-examine the WTSS.

But you are the minority. We'll shut down that operation and send idiots like you two to the oil fields. You, afterall, are the example of what we don't need.

Anonymous said...

hey scott, I found an article in the austin chronicle noting that jay kimbrough was fired from the AG's office for document tampering? Can you verify or note if that's otherwise inaccurate? In addition it notes that kimbrough might not be as 'uninformed' as he previously declared re: the west texas state school...

I'd just like some clarification on this issue.

http://www.austinchronicle.com/gyrobase/Issue/column?oid=oid%3A463092

Anonymous said...

All I can say about TYC:

Lawsuits from parents..

and

Lawsuits by workers who were fired Illegally

ACLU get ready, your workload is about to pick up from both sides of the fence

Anonymous said...

To 7:47- People posting about how dirty Curtis Simmons is is regarded by you as "foul"? Saying that Simmons needed to go is "idiot thinking"? Oh really? I have first hand knowledge of how dirty Simmons is. I am VERY "qualified" to speak to it. Your defense of him is very interesting. If you are defending Simmons, you either don't know him or you are involved right with him in the types of things he has done. This "reporting mistake", if there was one, is NOTHING compared to what he has really done. Gee, could you possibly be one of those involved with the WTSS cover up and administration interested in defeating the truth? It's pretty obvious when people like you speak in defense of those who have done MAJOR offenses against students and staff (Simmons) that there are definitely more people that need to be weeded out of TYC (you). I hope you are one of those watching your back as you shred the files and try and delete emails. I'll be sure to smile just as big when they walk you out.

Anonymous said...

Just curious you state hos dirty Simmons is or was, or has been, but with out facts your just stating your opinion, and yes we all have one. But if you can state more than he is dirty and give examples then you would be more credible, I posted on this topic at 3:17pm and curious as to why you would make this assertion without backing it up??

Anonymous said...

To 10:18: your type come a dime a dozen.

Let’s have your "first hand knowledge." But please, make sure your subjects and verbs agree.

Anonymous said...

n9:54 pm -- you are so right...there have been a lot of people on both sides of the fence that have been wronged in some way.

I think that, for the most part, TYC employees (I am speaking of the Austin execs...can't speak for the schools) tried hard and did their best but were given a relatively broken organization with which to deal.

And the parents, some of whom (emphasis on the *some*) had children in there for minor infractions and those children were mistreated or abused certainly have cause to grieve.

I am highly suspicious of the governor, kimbrough and the legislature...all seem to have an agenda that DOES NOT include righting the wrongs at TYC but does include some political kudos somewhere along the way.

I feel certain that this debaucle has simply begun its spiral into an era of litigation.

Anonymous said...

To 10:34 and 10:49- The people who are in the position to make changes have been informed of my information. It would be pretty ignorant and contrary to forward progress to post what I have on someone in a public forum where most likely Mr. Simmons (and his co-horts) are looking. The best protection you can give someone is to tell what you have on them. That affords them all the time and direction they need to try and cover themselves. You can believe me or not, with or without the details of the first hand knowledge I have. The fact is- he was walked out of the facility. That certainly does not contradict anything I have said.

To 10:49 regarding my subject and verb agreements- is that the best retort you could come up with? Would you like to join Mr. Simmons in "dotting his T's and crossing his I's" since you are apparently an expert in the English language?

Anonymous said...

Hi Randy! Are the aliens still hovering above Monahan’s? Is the conspiracy still alive? Only in West Texas... run Randy run! Here comes Johnny!

Anonymous said...

Still waiting on that "first hand knowledge." I called your bluff... so let's have it... Mr. "First Hand Knowledge." Yeah, right....

Anonymous said...

To 5:56 and 8:42
No, not Randy Chance. Randy holds very little credibility in my eyes. He had an opportunity to say all the necessary things in his book but his credibility is diminished due to publishing such a badly edited text, rambled about things not associated with the issues and the fact he retired (after 20 years in the agency and lives off TYC money) rather than quit with all the things happening around him. Had he been more credible, things may have come to light much sooner.

To 8:42-
This is not a game of poker. This is people's lives. My interest is in protecting the students and good employees of TYC. I will not jeopardize legal actions happening at this time to satisfy your "bluff". Please see 12:57 am post for the reason why.

Anonymous said...

So there's your first hand knowledge. He folded under the disguise of doing the "right thing." Feeling like a hero there "Mr. First Hand Knowledge?" Please share with us what exactly Simmons covered up? Don't choke on me now... you put it out there, now let's see it... first hand knowledge style...

Anonymous said...

To 10:28
Are you in kindergarten?

Anonymous said...

No kidding! 10:28, why don't you just call him to a playground fight and settle it there.
The guy (and by the way, how do you know it's a guy?) just told you in the other post he's not going to tell what he has on him. Do you think acting like a heckler is going to make him cave if he really has something? Give it a rest. Time will tell if there's truth to what he's saying or not.

Anonymous said...

still waiting... who is covering up now?

Anonymous said...

11:08- are you an imbecile?
Your statement- "Who's covering up now"? because I won't state the evidence on a public forum?
Are you suggesting that my providing law enforcement the information is covering up? NOT telling law enforcement would be covering up. YOU are not law enforcement. YOU have no right to that information at this time as it is part of an investigation. If that information was shared, it would compromise the investigation. If you had ANY law enforcement knowledge or common sense you would get that. Just because YOU don't have access to the information does not mean it isn't true.
I agree with 10:43- if I am wrong, Simmons will be cleared. Please feel free to jump on that if or when it happens and tell me I was wrong. Meanwhile, your humorous attempts to bait me into saying something just convinces me more and more that you are most likely Mr. Simmons or one of his co-horts.
Feel free to keep "heckling". Make taunts, try and attack me personally, do whatever it is you feel you need to do. Happy Easter.

Anonymous said...

How do you know whether he's an officer or not? You're insinuating. Is that what you're doing with Curtis as well?

Anonymous said...

To 11:44- I know because of the information in his posts. If he were involved in law enforcement he would know better (not to push for the release of investigation information on a public forum).
Insinuating? Insinuating what?

Anonymous said...

"I agree with 10:43- if I am wrong, Simmons will be cleared. Please feel free to jump on that if or when it happens and tell me I was wrong."

This "if I am wrong" leaves the door open for doubt. Why on earth would anyone want to slam Curtis Simmons like this before the facts are revealed? That's bullshit and so unnecessary.

Anonymous said...

To 12:44
"Why on earth would someone want to slam Curtis Simmons like this before the facts are revealed"?

Many others within TYC have been talked badly about on posts. They have also come up arrested, suspended and with criminal charges AFTER the postings were made. Were those "bullshit and unnecessary" too?

Anonymous said...

Man, your heart is not right. I don't advocate for anyone to talk crap about anyone. I don't know you, but if someone were attacking you like you've attacked Simmons, I'd stand up for you despite our differences. Get your heart right dude.

Anonymous said...

No shit. That guy is twisted weirdly.

Anonymous said...

Just FYI- I'm not the one who posted the "stupid and dumb" remarks about Simmons' speech or IQ. You can direct your disdain over "personal" attacks on him to those that did.
My posts have been about Simmons' actions within the agency. I stand by them. Wait and see.

Anonymous said...

Does this guy work with TYC kids? That's pretty disturbing.

Anonymous said...

No, you haven't revealed anything regarding Simmons actions or inactions which is why the person earlier was pressing you. Look, Mr. Simmons used to be my supervisor, and yes, he may make silly comments but he has been by far the most caring child care administrator I've ever been around. Those kids respond to him. I can't imagine what Mr. Simmons could have done to "knowingly" place one these children in harms way. That's out of character for him.

I was a subordinate (well he was my assistant superintendent)to Mr. Simmons until he moved out west and I left Marlin soon after (got my masters - whoo hoo!).

I can't help but think you are a caseworker out of Marlin. And yes, I do believe I know who you are... am

Anonymous said...

"YOU are not law enforcement. YOU have no right to that information at this time as it is part of an investigation."

Get real Anthony. lol! I can't help that you gave yourself up here. It's obvious!

Anonymous said...

Your guesses that the person posting is Anthony Mikulastik isn't right. If ya'll have ever noticed, every time Anthony makes comments to the papers or blogs he always puts his name. He gets a kick out of the lime light.

Anonymous said...

Grits-
Do you know what it means by "targeted for role change" on the map of facilities you posted? Does TDCJ have a "orientation" unit like Marlin? Or do the inmates go straight to a long term lock up from the Judges? Are they looking at doing away with an intake type facility? Heard anything?

Anonymous said...

It just breaks my heart to see what has happened to some of these kids with the medical things and assaults they have suffered. It also makes me very angry to see that we could lose some really good people if places are shut down. I have been quiet for a while, but it makes me angry to see what has been said between people on this posting. Everyone has been doing a lot of yelling, name calling, finger pointing and playing guess who games. People, we're all mad. We all should be for what ever reasons we each have. Anyone who knew about this stuff or took part in it needs to leave this agency and stand in front of a judge. But how about the rest of us who are mad, tired of the mess and care about these kids and coworkers who do good jobs, let's be a little nicer to each other. We're on the same team and we all want the same result. We need to get back to focusing on what we can change and how. Stay mad but put that energy to the right place. Grits gave us links and people to talk to. Yell at them and point fingers if that's what you feel you need to do. Please stop beating each other up. None of us know who's writing what here. For all I know, it's the same person blogging back and forth to themself to make their day pass and thinks it's funny to try and make others mad and join in. Who knows what's right or true. Pleae stop, it's just wrong, hateful and it takes the focus off these kids and the good staff that need us to stand behind them. If you need something to do, think of ways to help. God bless you all and Happy Easter.

Gritsforbreakfast said...

On the "role change," they want to switch Marlin and one other (San Saba, maybe) to adult units. Both are converted adult units they want to convert back. That move started before this scandal broke, actually. best,

Anonymous said...

So that would put all of the Marlin and San Saba employees out of work along with the West Texas people if they close that unit??
Oh my gosh.

Anonymous said...

To 10:52- You are right. And, I apologize for my part in it. No, I am not Anthony Mikulastic. Anger does not need to be directed his way. Anthony may have his own information or issues he wants addressed, but I don't speak for him or on his behalf. This banter does take away from the focus. I will not participate in it any further. Thank you for your post. The best to you as well.

Gritsforbreakfast said...

I'm glad you kids worked things out, I almost stepped in to referee. ;) In this string, I think, we can see both the strongest arguments for and many of the demerits of allowing anonymous comments. On the whole I think the free discussion outweighs the problems it can create with enforcing civility, but I'm hopeful everyone can see the wisdom in 10:52 and 11:50's comments. Please don't turn on each other, for Godssake, and especially to TYC employees, try not to flame each other here - aim your venom where its most deserved. best,

Anonymous said...

People are passionate because we're talking about people's lives, families and careers. I worry about mine as well, especially the fact I may loose the ability to live here now and see my children who need their father. That's what worries me. I've resorted to applying at other places here in Austin so I can hang with them longer. It's going to break my heart if I have to leave them because we are apparently downsizing. Anyone see Dutton's bill? Looks like anything above 100 beds is going to TDC if that passes. That's everyone, all institutions. I heard the LBB laughed it off, but it's that kind of thinking "on the hill" worries me. If I didn't have such a good arrangement to be able to be a part of my children's lives, I would simply pack up and take that job I was just offered in Washington state.

I saw on TJDO's site a while back where he said people's careers will be ruined, and he was so right.

And I agree with the fact we need to stick this thing out together and quit the fussing. It's already extreamly tense right now. I just want you all to quit talking bad about other current employees and naming them here. It's not OK and so I respectfully ask you to cease. Brookins doesn't fall in that category. When are they going to charge him for these allegations? I'll be preparing a victim impact statement if he's found guilty. I bet all of you will as well.... God Bless you guys...

Anonymous said...

hey 9:39 am, yeah, that's probably about 1100 to 1200 WTSS, San Saba and Marlin employees being effected. That may be a little over but I think it's close. But Marlin will move its orientation process to Mart where they'll have more beds. The problem is there is no office space for all the assessment workers you have so you may be in portables for a while.

Anonymous said...

Any evidence concerning Marlin's fate would be greatly appreciated...

Anonymous said...

Grits, can you do a time line from where/how this TYC debacle began;
1) 1st report/reports made.
2) Who received this report
3) Who acted upon this/these reports
4) How many staff resigned, arrested, or have been placed on suspension.
5)How many elected leaders were made aware of scandal and failed to act.
6) Why two years (longer) has this all taken place and Brookins and Hernandez are still free. (was told the Grand Jury will convene 4/10/07)

Anonymous said...

Is it just me or has Mr. Jay K been a little on the downside the past few days ( he does love a mic and and a camera)? This to me either means: He is ducking his AG issues or he's getting ready to do the Jim "the hammer" adler imitation...my bet is on A...He hasn't seemed his tough guy self lately

Anonymous said...

Employees are worried about even misdemeanors, that is sad. are we not given 2nd chances anymore? Folks are walking around on pins and needles, especially if they see someone from HR coming to see them or calling them. HR needs to talk to employees and let them know what is going on instead of sending a "to all employees" e-mail that's even if HR knows what is going on.

Anonymous said...

Believe it or not, HR is in the same boat as everyone else. We don't know what is going on either - other than the fact that HR is downsizing in the field and upsizing in Austin.