tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post2062608932258224534..comments2024-03-25T20:06:39.794-05:00Comments on Grits for Breakfast: Bexar County starting to plan for possible post-TYC futureGritsforbreakfasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10152152869466958902noreply@blogger.comBlogger34125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-44706092427813425662008-06-04T09:22:00.000-05:002008-06-04T09:22:00.000-05:00Reduction in the committments to TYC will drastica...Reduction in the committments to TYC will drastically impact the County Departments ability and funds to deliver services. The Counties need to starting looking at gearing up with sound contracts with community providers and increasing the salaries / staff of existing resources. The biggest problem faced by the Counties is a high turn over rate for experienced officers. Too maany are leaving for believe it or not better paying jobs with School Districts, go figure....Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-23134495154807941322008-04-30T22:39:00.000-05:002008-04-30T22:39:00.000-05:00TYC ran pretty darn well before 1995, when we took...TYC ran pretty darn well before 1995, when we took the hard right turn to "corrections" mentality. All you power-trippers were delighted - now you are decrying your perceived loss of power. All you people who want to stick to the failed ways of TYC need to quit whining and move on. TDCJ is desperate for folks like you. Go, be happy!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-20197705473613376302008-04-27T11:16:00.000-05:002008-04-27T11:16:00.000-05:00West Texas needs leadership, period!This has been ...West Texas needs leadership, period!<BR/><BR/>This has been the issue for over 6 to 8 months, this is why we cannot keep staff. Why would anyone want to work for a person or persons who do not care about the little guy (JCO's).<BR/><BR/>The leadership in Austin know this but have failed to act. Only time will tell.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-88034741554896458342008-04-26T20:50:00.000-05:002008-04-26T20:50:00.000-05:00Ah, but that is too often the problem with TYC. To...Ah, but that is too often the problem with TYC. Too many people assume... they listen rumors, half-truths, gossip, etc...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-12272689817774525812008-04-26T17:32:00.000-05:002008-04-26T17:32:00.000-05:004/26 10:12 amyou are correct that they should have...4/26 10:12 am<BR/><BR/>you are correct that they should have not posted the negative things without the whole story. This is a privilege that the youth earn and it is a goal that they work towards. They have to have something to work towards, otherwise the kids who are there for a year wont even try till they are close to their time to go home and if people think this is not appropriate, then all the facilities are wrong. This is rewarding positive behavior and most of the kids did not even have any one prior to coming to TYC acknowledge accomplishments that they made. We need to start somewhere. If anyone has any suggestions, please feel free to add them.<BR/><BR/>We know that they are here for committing crimes but we also know that they are kids and we need to help them learn better ways.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-75098688474241065282008-04-26T10:12:00.000-05:002008-04-26T10:12:00.000-05:004/24 10:32pm - What prize are staff at WTSS given ...4/24 10:32pm - What prize are staff at WTSS given for low security referrals? Low security referrals is only a part of the criteria for determining "Dorm of the Month" (along with a weekly dorm inspections). Staff's "prize" is getting to hang up the certificate for winning on the dorm. The youth (not the staff) get pizza. The purpose of 225's is to document youth behavior and apply "appropriate " sanctions for major and minor rule violations. It is not, nor has it ever been inteneded to be a tool for lazy, vindictive, inept staff to avoid having to work with the youth to correct behavior, for revenge or for showing that juvenile delinquent "who's boss". That, in my estimation is what is "sinful". Perhaps you should try listening a little bit more attentively when things are being explained so that you will have a better understanding of what is being said. Oh, the things we miss when we are constantly sighing heavily and rolling our eyes in righteous indignation.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-4745246384403040302008-04-25T08:33:00.000-05:002008-04-25T08:33:00.000-05:00While I think the idea of giving a staff a prize f...While I think the idea of giving a staff a prize for lowest security referrals is a bad one I can understand administrative motivation to do so. I have worked at 4 different units over the years and can say universally that there are many youth that are inappropriately referred to security; or the paper work is so poor (does not show a clear pattern of behavior and intervention) that kids are bounced back and forth over and over again. <BR/><BR/>Some staff, teachers, and administrators will use security inappropriately. <BR/><BR/>Admin should provide better training, counseling, and mentoring to improve staff intervention skills and judgment rather than trying to give a "prize." This "idea" may result in students who really need to be in the security unit being kept on the dorm and causing greater problems and unrest.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-58222444922260628692008-04-25T00:24:00.000-05:002008-04-25T00:24:00.000-05:00Fire the schmuck that came up with THAT idea. How...Fire the schmuck that came up with THAT idea. How stupid. What's their name???Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-77049088934710669162008-04-24T23:12:00.000-05:002008-04-24T23:12:00.000-05:0010:32 You are correct, you win the big one if your...10:32 You are correct, you win the big one if your dorm has the lest security refferrals. Kids are not better. Kids are out of control.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-71535655827396304272008-04-24T22:32:00.000-05:002008-04-24T22:32:00.000-05:00It is sinful I am sure, to fail to rebuke stupidit...It is sinful I am sure, to fail to rebuke stupidity when stupidity presents itself. If unrebuked, stupidity mutates and grows wildly in all directions.<BR/>This is how it was explained to me. At WTSS in Pyote they needed to cut down on security referrals in order to look good on paper. So they give a prize to the staff of the dorm that has the fewest security referals. <BR/>Security referrals have fallen of sharply as a result. Has behavior improved? No, but it sure looks like it has on paper. The mentality is not to send a youth to security if it could result in missing out on a pizza or whatever the prize is.<BR/>Please, somebody tell me it aint so and I'll sleep a lot better.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-80379932520995063372008-04-24T22:02:00.000-05:002008-04-24T22:02:00.000-05:00I am slowly beginning to agree with Whitmire. TYC ...I am slowly beginning to agree with Whitmire. TYC is the only place I have worked where rank and file employees are routinely more adept than the bosses.<BR/>The ones in Austin are particularly bad in that they constantly undermine the efforts of the folks in the field. Administrators are so bad that they would have no chance of being hired anywhere else at similar salaries. As a result they hold on to their jobs by hook and crook and are very protective of one another. Firing everyone and starting over again may be the only answer.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-35660004096526779012008-04-24T20:21:00.000-05:002008-04-24T20:21:00.000-05:00Grits, How come no info on a TYC story that made b...Grits, How come no info on a TYC story that made both the DMN and Star-Telegram today?? They finally removed Lisa Cooke from McFadden Ranch!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-54742626873182638022008-04-24T19:47:00.000-05:002008-04-24T19:47:00.000-05:00I agree that Howard's insights are brilliant!I agree that Howard's insights are brilliant!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-15367720159343860552008-04-24T19:31:00.000-05:002008-04-24T19:31:00.000-05:00All good points, Howard.All good points, Howard.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-29163516179287288122008-04-24T18:25:00.000-05:002008-04-24T18:25:00.000-05:00Bexar County needs to rethink the size of these pr...Bexar County needs to rethink the size of these proposed facilities. The 280 to 420 bed size creates unique problems which are some of the main reasons TYC had many of its problems. More beds in a facility may be cheaper to build but there is a significsnt loss in the ability to control the facility. <BR/><BR/>One should also note that Bexar County is projecting an operating cost of over $76,000 per bed, which I would bet does not cover education, which would be provided under current law by the school district in which the facility is located at no cost to the county government. <BR/><BR/>Howard A. HickmanAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-10188582133110977382008-04-24T16:27:00.000-05:002008-04-24T16:27:00.000-05:0011:41 hit the nail on the head.11:41 hit the nail on the head.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-29992586328316180252008-04-24T14:55:00.000-05:002008-04-24T14:55:00.000-05:00As Bexar Cty plans for possible post-TYC future, t...As Bexar Cty plans for possible post-TYC future, they should make sure that they're hearing from their DA. Susan Reed's response to SB 103 is to certify more youth to the adult system. So, Bexar Cty won't have to bear many of the costs for incarcerating these youth according to Ms. Reed's plan -- she'll still be shoving people upstream to inadequate state-run correctional institutions!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-83943677309538503032008-04-24T13:17:00.000-05:002008-04-24T13:17:00.000-05:00Plato - Many juvenile probation departments alread...Plato - <BR/><BR/>Many juvenile probation departments already do parole for TYC. We get a whole $9.50 per day but we know the kids are being supervised better because we are here and some TYC parole officer coming out of Austin once a month ain't cuttin it. <BR/><BR/>The only places where parole isn't contracted out are in the big counties. I just looked at the TYC parole map and TYC only does parole in 29 counties... the rest are contracted out to local county juvenile baords or to Gulfcoast Trades Center.Monkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03005208413859626073noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-26694270651700442082008-04-24T13:10:00.000-05:002008-04-24T13:10:00.000-05:00Grits - These big counties like Bexar County alrea...Grits - These big counties like Bexar County already have secure locked juvenile facilities. There are 32 registered secure juvenile facilities for long term residential placement now. (TJPC website). <BR/><BR/>There are two types of secure juvenile correctional facilities : Detention and post-adjudication. Detention is pre-adjudication and long term is well ..... post adjudication. <BR/><BR/>Some kids that end up in TYC have already been in these post adjudication facilities.Monkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03005208413859626073noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-18160655056834160312008-04-24T11:41:00.000-05:002008-04-24T11:41:00.000-05:00I dare say that the majority of incarcerated youth...I dare say that the majority of incarcerated youth, regardless of what their actual "charge" is are in TYC because of a substance related issue. Just as with adult prison populations, the numbers are probably disproportionate.<BR/><BR/>When these kids are released (especially in my little panhandle town) they are forced to remain within their same peer groups and to my knowledge receive little or no substance abuse education or support.<BR/><BR/>Let's face it - we have addicted generations raising addicted kids. What do expect to really change in this scenario?<BR/><BR/>TYC has been a travesty for years. One of the boys in the big sex scandal is right here from my town. I have known others who have been sentenced to TYC, return home and go right back into the same behaviors but now as adults.<BR/><BR/>We are not addressing the underlying needs of these kids in the first place and then we wonder why they keep "screwing up"!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-37476161951551085572008-04-24T09:41:00.000-05:002008-04-24T09:41:00.000-05:00"Where are we at concerning this problem TYC Conse..."Where are we at concerning this problem TYC Conservator?", The "Dialogue phase" was his answer and his number two (I do not recall her name), was collecting information and conducting a study of problems.<BR/><BR/> TYC's solutions to their problems was not well received at the 4-22-08 Finance Committee Hearing in Austin. I believe Bill Bush could have responded to the questions better than those two!He is on the outside looking in from a long distance.<BR/><BR/>I do believe you TYC employees need to prepare your resumes for TDCJ and UTMB Managed care if you want to continue employment with a state agency.I guess the teachers need to apply to the WSS.<BR/><BR/> Some committee members told Mr. N that they really believed the answer to their questions should be beyond establishing a "dialogue".<BR/><BR/>I overheard John Whitmire telling Brad Livingston (ED, TDCJ) words to the effect: " Be thankful we are working on TYC; by the next session it will be your turn again".<BR/><BR/>Retired 2004Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-81020139816273771552008-04-24T08:51:00.000-05:002008-04-24T08:51:00.000-05:00flush that commode. the turdyc stinks and my tax d...flush that commode. the turdyc stinks and my tax dollars are wasted at any tyc office or installation.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-807706375166169062008-04-24T08:34:00.000-05:002008-04-24T08:34:00.000-05:0011:04 - Of course many CJPO's are resistant to tak...11:04 - Of course many CJPO's are resistant to taking on the duties of parole. CJPO's are like most people, resistant to change in the model they are accustomed to. Then there's us worldly, big-picture, genius guys and gals who resist "the way we've always done it." IMO, counties take on parole as well as the prevention program now being half ass administered by DPRS.<BR/><BR/>(Worldly) Plato....lolAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-78434768993754731032008-04-24T06:55:00.000-05:002008-04-24T06:55:00.000-05:00Word of warning - small, rural counties are alread...Word of warning - small, rural counties are already being hit by serious economic woes - you don't want to know what the materials for seal coating roads and running equipment run this year. For those whose economy is based on agriculture, the chances of an increase in persons not paying their property taxes has seriously increased.<BR/><BR/>And you think that these commissioners are going to put serious effort into local rehabilitation efforts for juvies? By the time they are done, the lack of oversight at TYC will look mild. The pressure is already increasing on rural law enforcement to "create a felony" so that junior will be TYC eligible.<BR/><BR/>If Austin won't provide the money for the solution, don't just throw the problem at the rural areas.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-89645755961180476622008-04-23T23:04:00.000-05:002008-04-23T23:04:00.000-05:00Most Chief JPOs don't want to deal with TYC parole...Most Chief JPOs don't want to deal with TYC parolees because they come back worse than when they were committed. The State would have to fund the extra positions for county probation departments to be able to supervise parolees, but I would imagine that there will be some resistance.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com