Tuesday, January 12, 2010

Report: TYC substance abuse treatment increased recidivism

Though the agency has recently changed (and supposedly upgraded) most of its treatment programming, I was interested to see this new, legislatively mandated report on recidivism rates (pdf) associated with various types of pre-reform treatment programs for youth exiting the Texas Youth Commission.

Bottom line: TYC's sex offender and violent offender treatment programs appear to have quite positive recidivism results, while the agency's now-replaced chemical dependency treatment was a flat-out failure, actually increasing recidivism compared to youth assessed as having chemical dependency who received no treatment.

N.b., recidivism data in the report only include those youth released from TYC through June 2008, since at least one year out of custody was required to assess a one-year recidivism rate. Thus the data does not represent results from the large array of new treatment programming launched since then - both in the general offender treatment everyone goes through and for specialized treatment caseloads. So these data represent results from TYC's pre-reform programming and do not represent outcomes resulting from recent legislatively mandated upgrades.

Still, the data were quite revealing:

Youth who received sex offender treatment were 45.3% less likely to be rearrested within one year of release for a violent offense than sex offenders who received no treatment. Overall, sex offender youth receiving treatment were 11% less likely to be incarcerated within three years than sex-offender youth who did not go through treatment. (Of course, this group tends to have lower overall recidivism rates to begin with.)

Youth going through the capital and violent offender treatment program were a whopping 71.8% less likely to be rearrested within a year of release for a violent offense than similarly situated youth who did not go through the program, and 20.5% less likely to be reincarcerated within a year. However, the three-year recividism rate for was 50% higher than the agency expected. That tells me the capital and violent treatment program appears effective in the short term, but that the breakdown seems to come in community supervision in the out years for youth on parole. Usually the first year after release is associated with the greatest risk of recidivism.

By contrast, TYC's old chemical dependency treatment programming can only be categorized as an abysmal failure. Youth who went through CD treatment were 8.9% more likely to be rearrested in the first year, and 12.3% more likely to be incarcerated three years out compared to youth diagnosed with chemical dependency who received no treatment. What's more, these data are consistent with earlier findings that "The Texas Youth Commission's drug treatment program produces graduates who are more likely to re-offend after release than addicted inmates who did not participate."

That last result deserves serious focus, because TYC is expanding its (supposedly improved) chemical dependency treatment to include moderate-risk youth and those in halfway houses, according to the report. But the truth is, if programming actually increases recidivism, there's really not much reason to provide it at all, much less to expand it to more youth. As the report notes, "Current research indicates that inappropriate placement of youth in a [treatment] level not matched by their needs can be ineffective and lead to worse outcomes." That's possibly what's happening here and it warrants caution in expanding CD programming to non-high-risk youth given these data.

In particular, in 2010 TYC will implement a new pilot program targeting youth with substance abuse treatment needs called Functional Family Therapy that's reportedly produced good results in other jurisdictions. What's more, two new alcohol and drug treatment programs were implemented in 2009, according to the report, and those services were expanded to include moderate-need youth.

While I recognize these treatment programs are different, it still strikes me as premature to expand substance-abuse treatment to moderate-need youth when high-risk youth responded to old treatment protocols by committing more crimes. Why not limit entry into the treatment program to high-risk for a couple of years and see if the recidivism numbers improve?

Of course, correlation does not equal causation and there may be other factors explaining poor CD treatment results, but this report does not identify them. While I've supported evidence-based treatment programming on this blog, "evidence-based" is the key phrase. If evidence shows a particular treatment regimen results in worse outcomes, personally I think those resources should be diverted to activities that empirically produce better results.

Because this analysis focuses on youth released from TYC prior to a series of fairly dramatic changes in the agency's treatment programming, this data does not necessarily indict what TYC is doing now. It could take another 2-3 years before enough data will be in to evaluate long-term recidivism rates from these new programs.

One more observation: The study appears to have excellent control groups, which is great for data analysis but represents a shortcoming in agency programming. Comparison groups "that did not receive specialized treatment consisted of youth ... [who] had been assessed with a high need for a specialized treatment program but who were not assigned to such a program" because of lack of resources, youth disciplinary histories, etc.. That means, though, that a significant number of youth identified as "high need" weren't receiving services prior to June 2008.

For sex offenders, that changed in September 2009 and now "100% of newly committed youth needing all levels of specialized sexual behavior treatment have access to that treatment," according to the report. Given the positive outcomes from past programming, IMO that expansion is well justified. On substance abuse treatment, I'd rather see better results before expanding it more broadly.

This is important data, but it doesn't represent an evaluation of what's happening at TYC treatment programs today. So while I hope the results prompt a much more thorough assessment of why TYC substance-abuse treatment programs failed in the past, I also hope the powers-that-be give agency leaders enough time to evaluate the new treatment programs - which are supposedly more closely aligned with accepted evidence-based practices from other jurisdictions - rather than hammer them over past failures that at this point amount to water under the bridge.

RELATED: From Dayna Worchel at the Tyler Morning Telegraph, "Some youths need to access services outside TYC."

88 comments:

Anonymous said...

These TYC youth were required to participate in this program that everyone knew increased

Anonymous said...

Should have said "increased recidivism."

Gritsforbreakfast said...

Well, to be fair, that's why they've overhauled the program.

Steve said...

One of the most important components of any treatment program is the counselor who is facilitating it. A good counselor can make a marginally bad program work, and a bad counselor can make even a good program fail. If you take someone who has become a licensed chemical dependency counselor (LCDC) in working with adults, and put them in with juveniles, you may have major problems. In terms of Evidence Based Practices, this is called responsivity. It would be interesting to know about the qualifications and experience of the TYC counselors who deliver their programs.

TDCJ EX said...

The study is not really surprising considering that violent offenders and sex offenders are already known to have the lowest recidivism and repeat offense rates in the first place. Regardless of their age. Maybe the study said, it shows that along with countless others, substance abuse treatment as currently implemented simply does not work. Usually it consist of 12 step programs such as AA or an NA that have a 95% dropout rate within the first year of attendance unless it is coerced. The 95% rate comes from AA and NAs triennial surveys . If someone has the time. I'm sure that they could cite lots of studies that show 12 step programs are a dismal failure. To take it a step further with the drug war is a dismal failure.

The other side of this is why all the talk about reduced sentencing and diversion programs for so-called nonviolent offenders. When in reality, violent and capital offenders have the lowest recidivism or re-offense rates. To begin with. It might be politically easier to reduce prison population by releasing nonviolent offenders, but it might not make anyone safer if people are committing property crimes such as theft , burglary and fraud , to name a few. Primarily done to pay for illicit drugs.

Of course, if drugs were legal in the first place all crime would be reduced dramatically. Of course, any talk of that is " soft on crime" . You will be called Liberal, socialist , fascist , communist (all incompatible) other derogatory names be tough on crime types routinely spout out to distract from any real debate , discussion or ideas that might actually work.

Anonymous said...

Its good to see that TYC is actually providing some treatment after all these years of acting like they treated kids, when in reality they did not. It would be nice to know some kids are helped by this crippled oddity.

Anonymous said...

Just read where Cherie is going to re-survey the youth at Corsicana and VFCA. Gotta clean up this mess, and fix those numbers. New crew same old tricks. The more things change, the more they stay the same. So much for "reforms".

Anonymous said...

It is a commonly known fact that once the juvenile WAS released from TYC the continued care was very poor. TYC parole did not take the treatment of parolees serious enough as evidence has shown in the past. I understand new hanges have been implemented since the end of last legislature but we in the field have experienced absolutely no change in TYC parolees care. If you wish to reduce re-arrests and re-committment you must follow through with the required treatment. I can count hundreds of parolees who have been released with absolutely no services and it is not for a lack of providers in the areas where they were released.

Anonymous said...

The more we learn about the present TYC, the more we realize that youth are still raped by the system and the system is basically the same as it was ten years ago.

Anonymous said...

My neighbors' daughter was sent to the youth commission. She stated a book was written about the bad conditions there but I guess people didn't want to believe that it was true. Some just want to see young people mistreated for their misbehavior. If the public ever learns what happens there surely things will change.

Anonymous said...

I'm glad your "neighbors" daughter was taught to read while at TYC, this is good news. The bad news would be if she read some poorly written "rag" that derived from the western part of the state.

Anonymous said...

You're telling us that TYC used a drug program that was ineffective and even worse than if not provided at all. What is going on in this so-called reform? Is the lege aware of this?

Anonymous said...

LOL, these studies are nothing but a joke. Juveniles are released from TYC back to the custody of family members with chemical dependency problems. They reconnect to family and friends that make drugs available.

It is not a treatment failure.

Anonymous said...

Stay on topic people. Yall ignore the troll.

David C said...

Just from a brief glance through the documents, I couldn't find drop-out rates. If the drop-out rate is high enough, then the program is sorting people into high-risk and low-risk categories for recidivism. It can't be demonstrated that the program is actually improving outcomes for individuals involved.

whitsfoe said...

Steve - good point. It sounds like you have knowledge of CD issues with Juveniles, so let me ask you this: Is chemical dependency treatment effective in juvenile justice systems in other states, or is this a nation-wide problem? Is it that adults are better able to weigh the consequences of relapse and thus fair better and respond to treatment than the juvenile who still struggles with thinking before he/she acts? What do you know? I've always wondered... Any experts please chime in... Thanks

Anonymous said...

11:53 - You are right. TYC will review and re-review until it gets the stats it wants, correct or not. The stats they wind up with will be their correct stats, but probably not truthful. Things have not really changed here at all.

Anonymous said...

I don't know about now, but there used to be an insistence that LCDCs hired to treat the youth be in recovery themselves. A number of these folks were still pretty dysfunctional. That may have contributed to the problem.

Anonymous said...

10:13, you gotta be kidding me. LCDCs in recovery make some of the best counselors and usually have the best results from their clients.

Anonymous said...

10:22 - You gotta be kidding me. TYC hired drug perverts to counsel TYC youth w/drug problems. Then you wonder why the program didn't work? If the lege finds out about all this TYC will be closed. Maybe it should be. This is dumb. Whoever were involved should be fired and prosecuted for allowing this lame and usless project. There needs to be lawsuits over this, another TYC disaster.

Anonymous said...

10:22 - That was their mantra. Look how well it worked.

Anonymous said...

10:37 - drug "perverts"? Get a life!

That's President Obama to You said...

"Drug perverts" = former users, like the the last three Presidents we elected.

Anonymous said...

TYC has a problem hiring counselors because of pay, and the fact that they want them to do everything under the sun besides counseling. Several months ago, TYC had only one certified sex offender counselor (I can't remember if they were at Mart or Al Price.) The powers-that-be tried to get her to do everything under the sun in addition to counseling. The counselor finally told TYC enough was enough, and became a teacher instead. They also have problems with outside contract personnel in general. Most likely because they try to weasel out of paying them. They just lost a good speech therapist that had been working for them for over 10 years because they tried to rook her out of some money.

Anonymous said...

11:12 - You said it all. For those folks that say TYC has changed for the better....where? The management is still as screwed up as it was under the older unreformed bosses. How can a dead horse keep galloping along. Someone shoot this TYC monstor in the head and bury the whole sick system.

Anonymous said...

Not really a suprise. Both Sex Offender and Capital Offender programs offer treament that specificallys relate to the crime or committing offense and many of the youth in those programs have short criminal histories. While many youth in TYC have drug problems... and drug treatment does not resolve the underlying reasons for committing the crimes. Some youth commit crimes to get high and others get high to commit crimes. With the latter all you get is a sober/clean criminal.

Anonymous said...

I would suggest an evaluation of the high ranking CO personnel that are in charge of developing and delivering the counseling programs at TYC. IMO few of them have credentials or diplomas that would qualify them to work with the most challenging and disturbed population that I have seen in my long career as a licensed professional. I understand that a degree or credential does not make one a counselor. But when you see all the people that TYC employs in CO making way over 50K and for a long time, I start wondering. They escaped the RIFs so they can keep on designing the and training the treatment programs. They are really just hanging on, as they would never be able to work at that same level anywhere else (at least easily) because they do not have a license or a directly related degree. And with TYC on their resume, they just increase their MLOS at the agency. What they have is years of hanging on and hanging on, generating favoritism, and etc. So for these reasons, it is easy for me to understand the results of this report. You need seasoned well experienced counselors at TYC. And with only few exceptions, I have never seen that scenario. You need people that are not worried about keeping their high paying jobs. I am talking about seasoned persons. Persons that exceed many of the CO personnel that just have some kind of Bachelor or Master Diploma with little or no f:f counseling or other counseling agency work experience and persons that do not have any professional credentials or license. It is my observation that many of the current designers base their ideas upon "common" practice, by not being able to look deeply into the whole issues for TYC youth. These CO designers just did not go through the steps to become a qualified person. And now it shows. Something I learned the hard way at TYC is that the values at the top filter down, they sift down and somehow you see the results of the management culture at the bottom of the pyramid. In this case, the treatment of the TYC youth. I think that that there are quite a few CO personnel that are designing counseling / treatment programs, that have little clue, could not even discuss counseling theories, and if they could, one would find that their techniques are based more on what their supervisor's favor and their own learned powering and controlling dynamics than what is really needed at TYC.

i am not good a spelling and i do not have spell check.

Anonymous said...

What the state calls substance abuse programming in both TYC and TDC is a joke and waste of time.TDC does not even address drugs just cognitive based education,yet the prisons that were contracted out provided excellent programming and continued education for there counselors.

Anonymous said...

You're lacking areas are rather obvious. Are you the typical TYC hide-a-way? Something caused you to a "balls-day"? You appear to be a psy type that knows better but ignores abuse to secure your future. You are several years overdue and your 'please hear me' yearnings are past spent. Why didn't you come forward earlier when it meant something? Your silence of the past is your own death warrant. Go talk w/your wife if she can still stand your cowardice stance. You are TYC.

Anonymous said...

Some of the disgraced TYC betters that are still drawing welfare will make your spelling errors a big deal. They do this to displace and take the focus from their own incompetence. Fret not, as most realize that TYC folks are the incompetents and scumb suckers that live off the problems of young people. Send your kids direct to jail rather than the shameful TYC.

Anonymous said...

I think these reports have to be read closely.

TYC rid themselves of the old drug program after the data was indicating that it was ineffective. However, the youth selected for the CD programs historically were the worst of the worst youth. They typically had drug related and violent offenses and moderate mental health problems. Youth selected for the program were likely somewhat worse off than those not selected.

Similarly with the C&SVOTP. Regardless of what some people post here, the majority of youth selected for the C&SVOTP have extensive criminal histories and very, very, serious crimes. Youth identified as having high treatment need, that do not receive this program, often have less severe backgrounds, offences, and other problems and are thus not required to complete the program due to limited resources.I also wonder what types of offenses the youth are being rearrested for at 3 years out? I also do not like the fact that youth included the analysis had to have received only 1 day of treatment? What about only including those who have received the whole treatment and been deemed to be "successful." With small sample sizes, inclusion of these youth along with the others, may minimize the effectiveness of the program.

It is important to remember that in most other states, most of the C&SVOTP youth would be in the adult criminal system.

Anonymous said...

Don't you mean the 'ineffectiveness of the program'? More lard for TYC ineffectiveness.

Anonymous said...

A festering, stinky wound...TYC; brain dead. Step back, take a deep breath and turn off the machine.

Anonymous said...

It was a great day for government report writers when someone coined the term "opportunity for improvement."

Anonymous said...

I think it is interesting that almost every study I've found online always says that treatment reduces chemical dependency by fifty per cent, but it seems every statistic connected to TYC is always presented with the emphasis on the fifty per cent failure. It seems to me that most of the comments made here are by disgruntled employees, disgruntled ex-employees, or disgruntled parents of children who were in TYC. If TYC is such a dismal failure you should direct your vitriolic statements to the people who are the blame. If you're wondering who it is go look in the mirror. TYC will never get the credit for the good it has done, but the majority of the people who work for the agency are decent, hard-working, caring people. Most of them will do what was always suggested by a rather lame superintendent and they will "go be successful somewhere else." The rest of you will just have to go write books about what a poor job you did while you worked at the agency.

Anonymous said...

How sweet the taste of revenge. As long as it can't be proven that I did it or knew about it, I can pass the blame onto others. If I ignore bad things around me, then they just didn't happen. I love the TYC philosophy of 'didn't see, or hear about and I can't tell on my coworker'. It works both ways. Next week they will cover for me. Kid hurt..tough..he shouldn't be here in the first place, he deserved it anyway. He can't mistreat ME.

Anonymous said...

900: What about those that were demoted for failing to do their jobs, then leaving and returning three and four times; even after being rejected by the armed forces? Some could not leave TYC for long, since they could not find work elsewhere. Requesting transfers and returning after their prior bosses left was a method many used to survive in TYC.

Anonymous said...

Jesus, Ranting Randy, is this blog your life or what? 9:00 kinda painted that picture of you - breuh.

Anonymous said...

Does the envy eat you up inside, loser?

Anonymous said...

The lapdog for the supt retired when he didn't get the job he thought he had earned by covering for the crooked supt. Then, in all his bitterness, he wrote a poorly written, grammatically challenged book that no publisher would touch, and published it himself. Now he hangs out on this site and shamelessly promotes his bunch of crap. He is the hero of all the trolls on this site. Man, I am envious of that guy!!!

Anonymous said...

You seem to have missed the goal of the book - reform of TYC; which it reached. Perhaps if you ask the author he will send you an autographed copy for your enlightenment.

Anonymous said...

The book had a goal? Well, that's good, because it didn't seem to have a point. The scandal led to the reforms (which are mostly smoke and mirror tricks by the lege) and not the book. The only real indictment of TYC the book produced was that TYC allowed the author to work for the agency for so long.

Anonymous said...

The Dallas Morning News and state lege differ with you 31. Check their records. You seem to be still as uninformed as you were six years ago. Did you request your personal copy?

Anonymous said...

LMAO!! whoever came up with name name... "Ranting Randy! lol! Classic!

Anonymous said...

The people from the lege and DMN that gave it any credibility had obviously not read it. It didn't get any real attention until after Blakeslee released his story about the scandal. Good luck selling your books, but don't believe your own press.

Anonymous said...

Hey Ranting Randy - I'd ask my an authographed copy but I'm afraid you'd use one of these ; inbetween your name since you use these ; way too often

signed,

;

Anonymous said...

Hey Ranting Randy - I'd ask my an authographed copy but I'm afraid you'd use one of these ; inbetween your name since you use these ; way too often

signed,

;

Anonymous said...

Actually Blakslee broke the story about the sexual abuse cover-up at Pyote. The Dallas Morning News used several investigative reporter teams to reveal corruption and abuse in the other TYC areas, which were documented in the book and verified through interviews. I understand Doug used the book as his guide for the investigations. I'm in the middle here but lets get it straight. Good luck.

Anonymous said...

The book in question is "Raped by the State" by Randy Chance. Mr. Chance had retired before the events of the Pyote scandal had even occurred. I have not read the entire book, but anything he would have said about the scandal would have had to have been added later, and wouldn't have been from personal experience. I don't know who Doug is, but if he used "Raped by the State" as a guide for anything I'd seriously question his credibility.

Anonymous said...

Swanson never used that rag as a guide. That's an out right lie. That's Ranting Randy trying to feed his ego again. What an idiot.

Anonymous said...

The thing that really amazes me is that I haven't read that anyone ever asked why Randy Chance didn't bring in outside law enforcement. He talks in his interview for the Dallas Morning News about staff busting open a student's head in an unprovoked attack and that his investigation proved it true, but he said "they" covered it up. Why wasn't he considered part of the cover up? Why couldn't he have called the Texas Rangers? It was his job to protect the students from abuse. I know this is off topic, but I am amazed that people will praise a book in public, when it is obvious that they hadn't read it.

Anonymous said...

You are obviously ignorant of the facts. Letters and e-mails to the governors office and TYC board at the time were published by the DMN showing Chance did report the situation to them and they failed to act. The Houston Chronicle also verified these facts. You speak without credible knowledge of what really happened. YOU need to get your facts right before you criticize the author of the book.

Anonymous said...

When were those letters written? I bet it wasn't before the author retired. I worked with the man. He never said a thing about anything until he left. He wasn't leading any crusades while he was here. All his ranting came after he retired. I'm just an anonymous commentor. I don't have to be credible, but the author is trying to sell books. He should be, but he's not.

Anonymous said...

I also worked with Mr Chance and he did inform me of some interesting information. He was rather picky who he talked with since most of the information was confidential. He apparantly did not have confidence in you since he didn't discuss matters with you. In this atmosphere you learn who can keep a secret and who broadcasts to the whole campus. If Mr Chance had not retired when he did, the scandal probably would not have occured. Best to him.

Anonymous said...

Keeping secrets to cover one's own backside is what the scandal was all about.

Anonymous said...

On behalf of Mr Chance he helped bring many good changes for youth in our agency. Some are now disgruntled since the changes made their jobs more difficult. He was good for the youth and state but seems to have also exposed what an angry group of employees watch our children. How can they role model when so filled with anger and bitterness?

Anonymous said...

As if we can't figure out that the praise for Mr. Chance is probably being written by Mr. Chance. I thought he did a fairly good job when he was here, but based on his own book he apparently didn't. If he wants to believe he did all the good, then I won't begrudge him that. Since I don't give him any credit for the changes, I won't blame him for the coming RIF letter. But one thing is for certain, his book is not good.

Anonymous said...

Well, I have no irons in this fire or a cock to fight, but I do have some observations. Based on comments from these posts I for one would not share information with you. I would be afraid that your type would stab me in the back - as a prior friend. Some are quick to judge for what personal reasons or grudges with their fates? Most peoples misfortunes come as a result of their own behavior. RIF? Did you bring it on youself?

Anonymous said...

" As if we can't figure out that the praise for Mr. Chance is probably being written by Mr. Chance." LMAO.... it probably was knowing him.

Anonymous said...

"No irons in the fire..." who are you kidding? There are lots of reasons WTSS is being closed and most of them are bogus, but yes, I probably could have done something more to have avoided its demise. As to stabbing people in the back, I'm not the one who comes to this blog site to keep trying to collect his thirty pieces of silver at the expense of the people who thought he was their friend. Many of us feel betrayed by Mr. Chance.

Anonymous said...

EXCUSE ME.....I went to Mr Chance many times to help get rid of abusive, incompentent employees. Some of my coworkers would put up with their abuse and some even covered for it. I didn't like it and Mr Chance didn't like it. Hooray for his success and those that left and worked at Reeves and got fired and came back to WT to "get their benefits", for their mixed racial benefits ripoffs for their unknown fathers grandkids, stop the complaining. You have caused more suffering to Texas and Mr Chance has ofset some of your ignorance and people abuse.

Anonymous said...

9:18 I don't think you've done much to help Mr. Chance's case. lol

Anonymous said...

The scumb and real day activities keep seepimg out about TYC nurds, sex abusers, tainted families and perverts. Did Reeves fire all of you to return to WT?

Anonymous said...

Russell, give it up; you and your family are worthless and living off medicade. Try your sorrors elsewhere. You even scared the military. We who know you know the truth. We do feel sorror for your seeds but you started the line that brings more sorror. Have a good day, otherwise.

Anonymous said...

I'm trying to be fair but do inbreeds and incest qualify for medicade? I need to know so I can plan better. Which of you knows this arena the best...Russell can you help here; I know there is experience in your family. Thanks so much.

Old Salty said...

You people are starting to get out of hand. This string is supposed to be about the alleged failures of the TYC substance abuse treatment, not Randy Chance.

Back to the subject at hand. Based on all the drama coming out of McFadden Ranch on this site about a year ago, I am not surprised at the results of this study. I'm afraid you folks in the pro-Chance, anti-Chance factions are starting to sound a lot like those McFadden folks.

Anonymous said...

Thanks Salty for some commom sense insight. Some of the folks from West Texas went to Reeves County and we seen all that explode on national TV. Some from WT also went to McFadden and look what they caused there. Some are now back at WT and the problems just escalate. With the monetary problems in the state how can any TYC services even be justified any longer? The stencht there is now worse than Haiti. How do we clean up this WT mess?

Anonymous said...

The only way to clean this mess up is shut down the entire Agency! Please Senator Whitmire, urge the Governor to call an emergency session and put the final nail in the TYC coffin. At this point, TDCJ could do a better job managing the State's juvenile offenders.

Anonymous said...

I agree with that. I understand that the edited releases of the updated book "Raped by The State", is now available with some changes at rapedbythestate.com, 'e'-or 'book' styles. Maybe some of the implications were cleared up.

Anonymous said...

What an idiot. This pathetic loser will do anything to sell his rag. You can't edit ignorance.

Anonymous said...

Isn't it also avaulable at Authorhouse.com? Thanks.

Anonymous said...

Just an FYI York House in Corpus Christi had two youth escape today. Both are back in custody.

RAS said...

11:28 Who went to Mcfadden? I haven't heard of anyone from Pyote going there. What's going on in Pyote now, other than moving towards closing down? You must not read gritsmuch or you would know the problem in Reeves county isn't the 2 or 3 low level staff from WTSS, but the operating company GEO, that is a nightmare waiting to happen according to commentators like you. Privately owned penal facility operators primary concern is profit and information getting out that might support a lawsuit or the state pulling a contract definitely would hurt the bottom line.

Anonymous said...

These rogue TYC Superintendents will make sure their loyal supporters are given the jobs of running all the drug treatment programs no matter how suited they are for that job. It's all about taking care of the faithful. Central Office knows this and is afraid of these old relics.

Anonymous said...

One would hope that CT would have the courage to fire these old managers that are holding back TYC. She could also clean up some there who caused the problems at Pyote. No courage in Austin.

Anonymous said...

Rick Perry really mishandled the TYC mess (and got away with it).

Please read:

TYC Scandal: Why Jay Kimbrough Is The Wrong Person For The Conservator’s Job
By Vince Leibowitz on Mar 28, 2007
This article correctly predicted that Kimbrough (Perry's pick) would do more to cover for Perry and Perry's insiders than to get to the bottom of the TYC mess. The article is informative in light of the events of the last three years. Some of these events will make sense when you understand this article.

The corrupt culture still has too strong a hold on TYC.

Anonymous said...

Perry's long time fixer and right hand man, Kimbrough, is once again Perry's Chief of Staff.

Is anyone in the press checking into this?

Anonymous said...

You are out of date. Kimbrough left that position on July 1, 2009 to become Perry's Senior Advisor.

Anonymous said...

Kimbrough needs watching whatever his job title, because all he actually does is break things. The governor discovers a situation that he might be blamed for so Kimbrough flamboyantly (sorry, Jay) rides in to bust it all up. He then pretends to put it all back together so his boss looks like some sort of reformer when it was in large part his fault in the first place. I was a Perry supporter before 2007, but I don't think an office holder who needs a fixer deserves to be reelected.

XTYC

Anonymous said...

I totally agree. the new CD program is a "flux" there is to much reading and games, the kids get bored if they can even read the material. The state bought alot of nonsense, when it implemented the new program. The CD program should be from 8 to 12 months, but the way it is now, the kids get kicked out of the program at 4 to 6 months. The counselor's do the best that they can because most of the time they are doing JCO's job, like behavior groups. The kids have more privileges that the CO have. That Conextions program will not work, but the CLS program is good.
I don't know about the abuse of the youth, but I do know that my son is in TYC and he needed treatment in the CD program but was pushed out in 6 months, he got out of TYC and within 3 weeks he was out using and selling again.
I have to say he was doing good, while he was in there and I had the change to observe the program it is a bunch of hog wash.

Anonymous said...

Your story is much like many other youth. Don't contact TYC - a waste of time - contact Senator Whitmire - the only hope for TYC reforms.

Anonymous said...

We can't keep letting a corrupt Superintendent award the position of CD treatment director to someone who will keep their secrets and follow the old party line.

I wish those in Central Office would come to understand that this sleazy old practice is no longer acceptable. Since Central Office has been unconcerned about this until now they will need to hear from us. This old practice is harder to pull off when the spotlight is shining on the process.

Anonymous said...

The tyc programs not working, hay there’s a news story. LOL
Randall Chance did something very brave in his book “Raped by the State”. In my day state boys were beaten and put away in solitary for what he talks about. I can understand people working for the tyc described in his book would be embarrassed and ashamed. The people who are defensive are the ones who scare me. Because if you are defensive you are guilty. I learned that in tyc.
Randall’s book only touched a small part of tyc abusive history. I have talked to alumni from the 40’s until 09’s and they weave a tapestry of state sponsored child abuse that makes Randall’s book look like a G rated white paper on Texas political science. I would like to think it will be a media event when the tyc alumni get together for their reunion. I wonder how many will have anything to say about their experience that will cast tyc in a positive light.
I really think that as we move forward in this media age the house of cards tyc has built through isolation, and team playa intimidation will crumble. What’s the new buzz word ‘gangsta govment’. I think it will happen in my lifetime.
Sadly, its tyc staff who are the real victims. Alumni get to leave, staff have to stay, it’s their livelihoods. Some staff actually want to help the kids in their care and are naive enough to think they can in a culture like tyc. Hats off to you, thank you. The rest of you, keep being defensive about Randall’s book, you are the guilty, and we can pick you out. Too bad the punk pedophiles who are defensive about Randall’s book all have the same name, anonymous. What cowards.
Sheldon tyc#47333 II c/s

Anonymous said...

The only ones that would disagree with 805 are the ones still involved in youth abuses or the cover-ups. Wow..wow to the unholy TYC abusers.

Anonymous said...

tinting has the best commentary on this string yet!!!

Anonymous said...

it would be interesting to see a comparison with those who received treatment in the institution, and treatment on parole, and those who received no treatment in the institution, but got it on parole, oh wait, never mind, those don't exist......

anybody can be drug free locked in a cell, if you don't learn to abstain in the community you don't learn to abstain.

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