tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post7722296427520721408..comments2024-03-15T05:45:01.402-05:00Comments on Grits for Breakfast: Reader poll: Time to Abolish TYC?Gritsforbreakfasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10152152869466958902noreply@blogger.comBlogger47125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-62048715892429311532010-10-18T20:54:20.602-05:002010-10-18T20:54:20.602-05:00WOW....someone with common sense. Right on the but...WOW....someone with common sense. Right on the button. Care to apply for TYC ED?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-32801618889157119132010-10-18T20:50:41.347-05:002010-10-18T20:50:41.347-05:00I would just like to say that TYC has no common se...I would just like to say that TYC has no common sense when it comes to general offenders. They are not teaching the youth anything but how to cheat and lie. The youth are extended beyond their original date and can be extended until age 19. The youth in TYC can refuse meds, education, and anything else as long as they sign on the dotted line or the JCOs will just write down "refused to sign" and that passes the test of course there are alway witnessess. If these youth are in their communities their parents still have to make them go to school, take their meds or they, the parents, will be punished by the law. How does TYC get away with this. No wonder these kids go no where fast. They are not taught anything by the staff of TYC. I think general offenders should stay in their own communities and have the communities services pickup the grants for this kind of care. It would be a much better deal for the taxpayers and the youth. The counties (all 254 of them) could make arrangement for the more aggressive and determinate youth offenders. The probation office could get more involved and hire quality people that know how to handle these youth.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-20942463191253930792010-10-18T20:20:24.661-05:002010-10-18T20:20:24.661-05:00TYC should be revamped but not abolished. There ar...TYC should be revamped but not abolished. There are many great direct care staff that do wonderful work but there are more that are terrible and refuse to work appropriately with the youth. I do think TYC will need to upgrade its requirements for the direct care staff. TYC will also have to downsize. I think the determinate sentence statutes are really good and keep many youth from prison. Otherwise those youth will be certified and sent to prison. The problem is that they then get out. A 15 year old comes out of prison at age 23 on a 10 year sentence. They will be a worse threat to society.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-27114659941460812712010-10-18T11:57:29.694-05:002010-10-18T11:57:29.694-05:00WHAT? I have never known a teacher to work 10 seco...WHAT? I have never known a teacher to work 10 seconds past quitting time. Get over it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-3958756035565728822010-10-18T11:10:04.062-05:002010-10-18T11:10:04.062-05:00I also worked for TYC for many years and never see...I also worked for TYC for many years and never seen a teacher do manual work. The youth clean the schools. What TYC did you work for? More misinformation about a failed system that only hurts youth and rips off the state. The teachers and JCOs hate each other and work to make the system even worse for the youth.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-89570978285923866892010-10-18T10:30:52.973-05:002010-10-18T10:30:52.973-05:00I do not favor abolishing TYC. Now, I digress. I r...I do not favor abolishing TYC. Now, I digress. I resent the potshot taken at the teachers of TYC. I have a relative who teaches there. He taught in various large public school systems and then retired from the public school system after approximately 35 years teaching. He could have done a lot of different things, but thought he could do some good at TYC. He and many of the other teachers work very hard to educate the kids there. Because TYC is not able to get a janitorial staff to come in, he and the other teachers have to stay late to wax the floors of the building, vacumm, etc,. and clean up. Whitmire's plan might be just fine for Dallas, Houston, and Austin, but just in case someone here didn't know, Texas is more than those large metropolitian areas. The kids who live elsewhere will get no help.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-12315074164025291032010-10-18T06:06:52.432-05:002010-10-18T06:06:52.432-05:00When Connextions was chosen as THE program at TYC,...When Connextions was chosen as THE program at TYC, was it not identified as a "best practice" and "evidence based" program? So - what's the problem?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-26596786773727137742010-10-17T23:22:31.385-05:002010-10-17T23:22:31.385-05:00TYC does not fully realize how much Whitmire has h...TYC does not fully realize how much Whitmire has helped the agency. Thank you, Sir.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-22855979164382687212010-10-17T22:42:28.282-05:002010-10-17T22:42:28.282-05:00The only vote I want is the one that votes Whitmir...The only vote I want is the one that votes Whitmire out of office. <br /><br />ME TOO!!! Let me be the first to cast him out.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-33639359891735236222010-10-17T22:39:52.594-05:002010-10-17T22:39:52.594-05:00With this new TYC Treatment Program the youth can ...With this new TYC Treatment Program the youth can now do what they want without effective consequences.<br /><br />HOW TRUE!!!<br /><br />The kids are running the farm.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-60955671850430262342010-10-17T21:11:16.848-05:002010-10-17T21:11:16.848-05:00Politicians in Texas have always evaluated crimina...Politicians in Texas have always evaluated criminal justice programs in terms of financial cost vs. results. The measure of sucess or failure was and is the rate of ricidivism. The high profile media cases of people released from TDCJ or TYC, committing violent acts always stimulates the question of how to control criminals both in the lockups and when they are out on the streets under parole or probation officer supervision.<br /><br />As far as TYC goes, the question becomes what does Texas society owe Juveniles who come into contact with the criminal justice system. The answer has always been partly to offer every opportunity for change before giving up on them. This has included some programatics and education. So the first question is do we still believe juveniles are different and deserve more programs aimed at stopping their criminal lifestyle. If the answer to that is yes, then it seems the next questions are at what cost and provided by who? In the upcoming session, the budget is going to force some tough decisions. Should TYC be spared and actuaally be given addittional funds or should the funds be re-distributed between TJPC and TYC.<br /><br />My suggestion would be that only the worst of the worst failures from Probation Juvenile Courts and TJPC need to determine what kid meets that criteria. Once that kid is cut from Probation over to TYC, the resources need to be in place at TYC to handle these kids. Right now that's not the case, mainly because there is such a defensive attitude about protecting the Connextions sacred treatment cow. There has been such a focus on positive rewards and a defocusing on quick and sure consequences that the Connextions program has become like tits on a bull! In my opinion, Connextions might have a chance if CO Administrators were willing to add a corrections component to TYC. That might look like graduated privileges to were when you enter a TYC facility, getting out of your locked dorm room is an earned privilege. That can quickly progress to earned freedom's including progressive movement into less restrictive dorms. There is no youth esprit de corps in TYC, i.e. no pride from being part of another peer group that has earned recognition as a group for "earning" privileges and not having them handed to you for just breathing. If that component is added, along with an increase of staff ratios of 1 to 6 or 1 to 8 instead of the current 1 to 12, you might just see some results. I say downsize and reprogram. This may mean changing out some of the Administrative leadership who are unable or unwilling to sacrafice the sacred cow.JTPnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-65760031960784670422010-10-17T17:48:05.992-05:002010-10-17T17:48:05.992-05:00I've worked in the education department of dif...I've worked in the education department of different TYC facilities for a ten year period. I now work for an independent school system which operates the education department for the county JJAEP. The education systems in the TYC facilities did a much better job. All subjects are not offered in elective fields at the JJAEP, and students returning to their local ISDs are sometimes delayed in graduating. TYC was able to give the education that enabled many kids to earn their GEDs. <br /><br />I agree with others who have stated that positive opinions concerning TYC are not wanted. I also agree that the Austin officials are the biggest money drag and the least productive of any department.<br /><br />It is my personal opinion that Whitmire is still trying to get political mileage out of TYC. <br /><br />I saw good things happen for students, and I believe this could be the situation again under the right management. Unfortunately, the right management is not in place. Does anyone know how to get it there?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-44179798495287385112010-10-17T16:23:07.231-05:002010-10-17T16:23:07.231-05:00The only vote I want is the one that votes Whitmir...The only vote I want is the one that votes Whitmire out of office. The TYC debacle has been political since day one and will continue to be as long as John Whitmire is at the reins. Every ED, with the exception of one, since 2007 has run up against the same obstacles with Whitmire. Abolishing TYC will not solve the juvenile justice problem in this state. When politics are left out of the system and trained personnel are put in the system, then TYC will work!!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-90164456731211634972010-10-17T11:44:38.681-05:002010-10-17T11:44:38.681-05:00Houston losers. Thugs, druggies, illegals...you al...Houston losers. Thugs, druggies, illegals...you all suck big time. Stay dow south and possibly move the area to Mexico. SUCKERS!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-64487093246689423712010-10-17T00:58:33.472-05:002010-10-17T00:58:33.472-05:00SUCK IT RURAL TEXAS!
Love, WhitmireSUCK IT RURAL TEXAS!<br /><br />Love, WhitmireAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-14048496080017962222010-10-17T00:56:13.810-05:002010-10-17T00:56:13.810-05:00Or the rural areas will just do adult certificatio...Or the rural areas will just do adult certifications on every child that commits a felony over the age of 15 just so they can get them out of their community.<br /><br />Abolish TYC. Make TDCJ larger. Simple equation.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-66705386455288065012010-10-17T00:51:50.280-05:002010-10-17T00:51:50.280-05:00If TYC is abolished, it will actually be alright f...If TYC is abolished, it will actually be alright for the children in the larger cities. Unfortunately, the children in rural areas or their communities will suffer. As they are suffering now in fact.<br /><br />In Houston, if a child commits a burglary and is found true; there are various treatment options for that child prior to placement in TYC. The only children from Houston that go to TYC are the damnable lot that is most likely unsavable.<br /><br />In most rural areas your options are three fold. Deferred prosecution, Probation or TYC. So your average rural burglar will most likely be sent into the loving arms of those kids of the damned from Houston that I just previously spoke of. At least at this current time TYC has halfway houses as some sort of intermediary from the hardcore institutions.<br /><br />Basically Whitmire is saying, I want to do what is good for Houston, but screw everyone else...<br /><br />Being from the Panhandle, a land already utterly neglected by the state in regards to juvenile affairs I say shut your trap Whitmire.<br /><br />That is all.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-49666863862121609552010-10-16T22:45:26.767-05:002010-10-16T22:45:26.767-05:005:50 a.m. is right on folks. TYC can't possibl...5:50 a.m. is right on folks. TYC can't possibly recover from all this. They have an absolute weak and ineffective administration today. You really can't expect an introverted leader such as their current ED to lead that agency out of this mess. I recall a comment made on here about how Nedelkoff or whatever his name was came in like a lion and left like a lamb. Well he handed this TYC to another lamb, who has done nothing but further the run and fear. TYC is needed, but it needs a stand up leader and not this coward that refuses to address the facts.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-62241407579256051912010-10-16T21:52:19.843-05:002010-10-16T21:52:19.843-05:00With this new TYC Treatment Program the youth can ...With this new TYC Treatment Program the youth can now do what they want without effective consequences.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-37453742180336085862010-10-16T11:48:47.270-05:002010-10-16T11:48:47.270-05:00TYC has burned itself for the past several years. ...TYC has burned itself for the past several years. It doesn't understand youth tretment, youth control, employeee training and relations, management or rehab. TYC is a complete failure but refuses to see the truth. The state and most citizens know TYC is a ruse and it needs to be completely burned to the ground, buried and restarted as a separate/changed agency. Fire all but perhaps ten people and fire all the leadership/nose butt suckers that surround them.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-89542609111173002882010-10-16T05:50:21.685-05:002010-10-16T05:50:21.685-05:00True that, 10:45. TJPC doesn't "run anyt...True that, 10:45. TJPC doesn't "run anything." They have a few staff, probably less than five, who have EVER operated a detention or secure residential facility and that experience is at the probation department level.<br /><br />IMO, nor does TJPC want to be merged with TYC and have an operational role related to institions.<br /><br />Through a process of elimination I'm coming to the conculsion that TYC needs to be abolished since TYC will never be able to fulfill it's mission (becase it's primarily an impossible feat.) And because the past and current culture is way beyond repair or correction. (Is it possible that Sheldon has been right all along)?<br /><br />So - it comes down to local departments taking on more of the load by expanding programs and utilizing their own facilities plus specialized contract placements. Give locals 1/3 of TYC's money and TDCJ about a third to gear up to house the 1000 or so crazies and unreformable. The lege can then "save" 1/3 for itself.<br /><br />Yes, the time has come to burn down the village (TYC) in order to save it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-2302070996534473582010-10-16T03:04:04.999-05:002010-10-16T03:04:04.999-05:00Who diaagrees that properly trained ront line staf...Who diaagrees that properly trained ront line staff would eleviate a lot of the problems that TYC is faceing?We have enough treatment programs.Who teaches and trains staff how to properly manage their behavior?You have to treat students behavior patterns before you start advanced treatment programs.Manageing Behavior gets kids ready for specialized treatment .You don't put your head in a lions mouth before you confront their behavior.I can't understand how Rehab Services can't recognize this issue.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-73624135099165438652010-10-15T22:45:02.223-05:002010-10-15T22:45:02.223-05:00If you think that they are gonna divide up TYC'...If you think that they are gonna divide up TYC's budget among the counties your kidding yourself. They would take SOME of the TYC and send it to the counties, don't forget their 18 Billion short! Another unfunded mandate. And TJPC has so few employees because they don't really run anything, they just make rules, think commission on jail standards. They have no clue on how to effectively run facilities, just on how to make rules on running facilities,Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-2495044479716218962010-10-15T14:47:57.372-05:002010-10-15T14:47:57.372-05:00The counties can handle this population? No matter...The counties can handle this population? No matter what you say about TYC, folks here do have years of experience dealing with this volatile population. Not just anyone can survive encounters with this population. In many ways these young offenders have a level of cleverness unmatched by your average citizen. With rare exceptions, TYC has learned how to keep them behind the fence. I'm not sure the counties could keep track of or possession of this slippery bunch.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-33353654144600668842010-10-15T13:51:42.451-05:002010-10-15T13:51:42.451-05:00You have sideline complainers because YOU are not ...You have sideline complainers because YOU are not doing your job. TYC is a disaster and you are part of it. YOU are to blame so don't project your failures onto the sidelines. You think you are not replaceable, but watch for your next job.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com