Saturday, May 26, 2012

TX Criminal Justice Coalition prepping for TDCJ Sunset hearing: Are you?

Via email from Ana Correa the Texas Criminal Justice Coalition, see details about the upcoming Sunset hearing for the Texas Department of Criminal Justice and her group's diligent preparations:


On June 5th, Texas' Sunset Advisory Commission will hear testimony in response to its staff report of findings and recommendations related to the state's criminal justice system.

The Commission's report - which encompasses the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, the Board of Pardons and Paroles, the Windham School District, and the Correctional Managed Health Care Committee - makes various recommendations with which TCJC agrees.

However, we have identified additional options for reform, and we will be presenting various documents to bolster the Commission's work:
  • A comprehensive report of nearly 90 recommendations spanning corrections, probation, parole, and re-entry.
  • A report of findings from a survey of correctional officers, on areas including employee retention and training, safety, and workplace and incarceration conditions. TCJC partnered with the Texas Chapter of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) for this survey.
  • A report of findings from a survey of incarcerated individuals and family members of system-involved individuals, on areas including public oversight, unit administration and staff, safety, conditions of confinement, health, programming, and reentry.
Keep an eye out for a follow-up email with these materials as soon as we release them!   

Sunset Advisory Commission Hearing Information:

DATE:     Tuesday, June 5, 2012
PLACE:    Texas Capitol Building
 Senate Finance Committee Room, Room E1.036, Capitol Extension
TIME:      9:00 a.m.

Click here to download a PDF copy of the hearing agenda.
This hearing puts your correspondent in a bit of a scheduling bind, conflicting with another event I'm supposed to attend at the capitol - a conference on forensic science sponsored by the Forensic Science Commission and the Court of Criminal Appeals' Criminal Justice Integrity Unit.

4 comments:

sunray's wench said...

I hope the Sunset Hearing is made aware that some TDCJ inmates have not received the copies of the inmate questionnaire. I sent several copies in 2 different envelopes before Christmas and they did not arrive with the inmate.

I also sent a copy of the Interstate Transfer document to an inmate and that also did not arrive with the inmate.

The Sunset Commission needs to be aware that TDCJ will wilfully obstruct inmates in obtaining information pertinent to their circumstances.

AMR;Olympia,WA said...

I see no recommendations on decreasing prison populations by changing good time laws.

Is there anyone working on this kind of legislation ?

Unknown said...

My Minor Son has been put into SOLITARY CONFINEMENT in a Texas Prison. I heard he was raped and was suicidal, I was told by personnel that he and his new cellmate drew pictures and put some on the floor, they told the other children if you step on them, I / we will put a hex on you. I am serious, I don't know if my son is okay? Or what is the real reason they have him in Solitary Confinement. Disability status is O H I, Other Health Impaired. 4brycesbattle.

Unknown said...

Texas TDCJ Put my minor child in SOLITARY CONFINEMENT. Other Health Impaired, Disability Status, will anyone tell me if my son is okay?

4brycesbattle