tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post8906655573566595948..comments2024-03-25T20:06:39.794-05:00Comments on Grits for Breakfast: Not just Texas: CNN finds punishment culture prevalent at juvie lockups nationwideGritsforbreakfasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10152152869466958902noreply@blogger.comBlogger47125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-48611892831760893842008-04-11T23:07:00.000-05:002008-04-11T23:07:00.000-05:00Lisa Cooke ( SUPT of McFadden Ranch) was terminate...Lisa Cooke ( SUPT of McFadden Ranch) was terminated today.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-27464364282694209492008-04-11T23:01:00.000-05:002008-04-11T23:01:00.000-05:00Yeah, let the counties provide treatment for youth...Yeah, let the counties provide treatment for youth with mental health issues... I'm sure that the rural counties will love that! TYC has been a dumping ground for kids with mental health problems, since MHMR is useless in that regard.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-24815717747099501742008-04-11T21:36:00.000-05:002008-04-11T21:36:00.000-05:00CRTC's programs are being evaluated for closure. ...CRTC's programs are being evaluated for closure. The buildings and infrastructure have become very expensive to keep running.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-68833748901718925742008-04-11T11:15:00.000-05:002008-04-11T11:15:00.000-05:00Counties are and have been busting at the seams wh...Counties are and have been busting at the seams when it comes to youth offenders. Why would any rational person believe the counties would take responsibility for all of their youth. Also, if this is the case why has it been over 17 years when TYC last ahd a Halfway House in the Harris County area? Could it be they would rather not have all of the youthful offenders in their backyards, even though TYC has been trying for years to construct one, it has been blocked.<BR/>This past session the lesgistlators appropriated millions of dollars to renovate all of the TYC 96 bed dorms that they approved back in 1994. If they wanted to close TYC why would they give this money away, might be hard to get re-elected next time around.<BR/>Could the comment by Whitmire be a pre-cursor to the April 16th meeting, if you re-call he wanted more than one facility shut down and Mr. Nedelkoff only closed Sheffield. <BR/>What about infrastructure, where will these Counties house 2500 offenders, where will the money come from, session is over. Some of you trolls need to use just a little common sense before you post.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-77887969287490056392008-04-09T21:36:00.000-05:002008-04-09T21:36:00.000-05:00Yes I do...as follows:AGENDA:9:00 a.m. -9:30 a.m. ...Yes I do...as follows:<BR/>AGENDA:<BR/><BR/>9:00 a.m. -9:30 a.m. Opening comments by John Whitmire - an opening toast to his recent support to his proposal to Harris County Officials he's recently intimidated to support his proposed closure, or rather "abolishment," of the TYC;<BR/><BR/>9:30 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. Special guest, Senator Ted Kennedy, who will discuss the savings of Tax Payer Dollars with regard to converting the seized FDLS compound in West Texas and converting it into a state run TYC facility;<BR/><BR/>10:00 - 10:15 a.m. Senator John Whitmire proposes a toast to US Senator Ted Kennedy, recognizing his career achievement wards, but forgetting the "a" on awards and falling into the platforms of talking about wards of the state;<BR/><BR/>10:15 - 10:30 - Break<BR/><BR/>10:30 - 10:45 - longer break needed.<BR/><BR/>10:45-12:00 - Announcement made that inclement weather is approaching and session to reconvene at 1:00 p.m.<BR/><BR/>1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. "The Hillary v. Obama Race: Impact on Texas. Brotha' or Motha' - choose one. Open debate.<BR/><BR/>2:00p.m. to 3:00 p.m. - Ted Kennedy poses a toast and another post ?????<BR/> <BR/>3:00 - 5:00: John Whitmire reveals his budget proposals for Texas; all the while TABC agents raid the Village and take away his wives and his assets. Bartender arrests are imminent, as are the bar maids that escaped West Texas.<BR/> <BR/>It was a dream. Call Whitmire’s office for your details.<BR/><BR/>End of session.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-62698376147859894972008-04-09T20:46:00.000-05:002008-04-09T20:46:00.000-05:00Does anyone know what the agenda is for next week'...Does anyone know what the agenda is for next week's legislative hearing (April 16th)?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-74552115006314752362008-04-09T20:45:00.000-05:002008-04-09T20:45:00.000-05:00We loved him like a kid loves his dad and Chester ...We loved him like a kid loves his dad and Chester loved us like we we were one of his even though we were not. It was unconditional love. <BR/><BR/>Thanks "Daddy-Oh"... I will miss you. CRTC - 1998. GWBAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-71097383060103088382008-04-09T17:46:00.000-05:002008-04-09T17:46:00.000-05:00Chester Clay was a very good man and an advocate f...Chester Clay was a very good man and an advocate for the youth in TYC. His premature and untimely death was sad news to say the least among his close friends. My prayers and hopes are for healing of the scar left by Chester’s death in his family and in his many friends. It is too bad Chester was not able to complete the work he had been evolved in, at the federal level, to improve the care of children in the state’s juvenile justice system. Juvenile justice lost a true professional with the death of Chester Clay.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-57687754929850392692008-04-09T14:54:00.000-05:002008-04-09T14:54:00.000-05:00I must echo the sentiments regarding Chester. Wha...I must echo the sentiments regarding Chester. What a shame. He was way too young. I had the opportunity to work with his son, Chad, at Corsicana and he was a fine young man.<BR/><BR/>Old Salty - Regarding the one size fits all approach, I couldn't agree with you more. Many in TYC upper administration and clinical management also agreed. You can thank the Texas legislature again for much of that problem - when they set benchmarks requiring TYC to fill state-operated beds before using contract beds. In order to have a good variety of special programs, you have to estimate the number of youth needing each and dedicate beds and resources for the program. You also have to be prepared for beds to sit empty if you didn't have enough youth needing that particular program at the time. Apparently that was not considered acceptable. Still I think we could have done more in this regard and my one regret is not getting more opportunity to work on that. I agree with those posters who feel we need more levels of care for different offenders. Of course if juvenile programming moves to the County level, it will be even worse. Except for a few of the largest counties, it won't make sense to provide much specialized programming - the numbers just won't support it.<BR/><BR/>>Don BrantleyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-85104741583117198072008-04-08T19:08:00.000-05:002008-04-08T19:08:00.000-05:00I meant no disrepect to him or his family, I am s...I meant no disrepect to him or his family, I am sorry. He was a good man.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-75489825839863999872008-04-07T23:36:00.000-05:002008-04-07T23:36:00.000-05:00We heard 11:02. May God be with his wife and Chad....We heard 11:02. May God be with his wife and Chad. We have been in shock all day, and are mourning this loss. But we are trying to keep it off the blog out of respect. - WhitsfoeAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-19716281518194125972008-04-07T23:02:00.000-05:002008-04-07T23:02:00.000-05:00For those of you who knew Chester Clay, he passed ...For those of you who knew Chester Clay, he passed away this week. He had a heart attack. His service will be held in Corsicana on Sat.<BR/> Please keep his family in your prayers.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-40166154346584558792008-04-07T22:52:00.000-05:002008-04-07T22:52:00.000-05:00Also IQ scores are very misleading, often times un...Also IQ scores are very misleading, often times underestimates related to language, decreased education, and motivational variabilities. <BR/><BR/>But yes I agree, motivating youth to take part of available educational and vocational programming is an important task of all TYC staff. Seems there should be more available.<BR/><BR/>And yes I have thought about the welding career myself.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-71522771965499287232008-04-07T22:37:00.000-05:002008-04-07T22:37:00.000-05:00The average IQ is not 80. Closer to 90 than 80.The average IQ is not 80. Closer to 90 than 80.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-70078071596268102272008-04-07T21:52:00.000-05:002008-04-07T21:52:00.000-05:00There's no somewhat about it. The average IQ of y...There's no somewhat about it. The average IQ of youths in TYC is 80. That is significantly below average. About 80% of the TYC youth have experienced nothing but failure in traditional academic settings. The emphasis for them needs to be on giving them marketable skills. Most importantly, they need to experience success. I'll never forget the little kid who said that he was not good in school, he was not good in sports, but he was the best car thief in his neighborhood. I have seen the vocational teachers work wonders with some of these kids. <BR/><BR/>There are the two elements TYC needs to achieve with these kids, (1) give them the experience of achieving success at something other than crime, and (2) give them a marketable vocational skill. Old SaltyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-63980727047057298172008-04-07T20:07:00.000-05:002008-04-07T20:07:00.000-05:00You folks in the ledge reading this, listen to wha...You folks in the ledge reading this, listen to what Old Salty just said... he's emphasizing vocational programs somewhat here. <BR/><BR/>When kids come out of our facilities with at least a GED in hand and a CATE certificate, they don't have to work at McDonalds or Burger King. They don't have to be clerks at convenience stores. But most importantly, they don't have to deal in drugs to make a mint. <BR/><BR/>We have some kids coming out of these programs with these certificates that make more than I do in about two years. I'm not kidding either - I've seen it. <BR/><BR/>One kid of mine took the money he made in a welding trade he learned in TYC, heard about underwater off shore welding, invested his saved money ON HIS OWN, got that certificate, got more experienced in deep water wielding, and is now training others, and get this - he's making twice what I make and tests clean every month. Exxon.<BR/><BR/>His committing TYC classification? Chronic Substance Abuse Dealer. Go figure. Not only does he make more money than me, his home blows mine away, and we won't even discuss wives. He doesn't have to draw a circle around his to give her a hug like I do. <BR/><BR/>He's sends me birthday cards every year at the facility. I was his casemanager. <BR/><BR/>You outside security guys at Gainesville would flip your wig if you know who I was talking about.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-67927743272796349802008-04-07T19:14:00.000-05:002008-04-07T19:14:00.000-05:00What I see as the biggest long-term problem with T...What I see as the biggest long-term problem with TYC has been the "one size fits all", or to be more accurate, the "one program fits all" approach that we have traditionally taken with regards to institutions. There needs to be greater differentiation of programs, based upon the behavior and progress of the youths. Hardcore, highly criminally-minded youths prey upon and corrupt those youth who might be more amenable to rehabilitation. <BR/><BR/>I like the idea someone posted above about taking down the fences at some of the institutions, along with making them smaller, and (1)creating programs for first-timers and younger youth and (2) programs for youth who are progressing towards release. There also needs to be some kind of pre-release institutions (either small low-medium restriction facilities or half-way houses) near each of the major urban areas. These programs should stress family reintegration where the families are willing and amenable, or independent living preparation for those who do not have approved homes. <BR/><BR/>I also agree with the posters who are calling for more vocational skills training programs. Kids who have achieved significant vocational skills while in TYC have a much lower recidivism rate than those who have not. Contract programs such as Gulf Coast Trades Center provide an excellent option, especially for youth for whom return home is not an option. <BR/><BR/>The problems is that strong, innovative programs require a lot of upfront money. The savings are long-term. Politicians get re-elected for providing short-term fixes. John Whitmire is a perfect example of this. He does not now, nor has he ever, wanted to spend much money on TYC youth. There just aren't enough votes in it. I really can't blame him - he is just reflecting the realities of the electorate. Old Salty.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-65764707005631339712008-04-07T18:57:00.000-05:002008-04-07T18:57:00.000-05:00Neither TYC nor the legislature can automatically ...Neither TYC nor the legislature can automatically send SOs to TDCJ. It takes a judge to do that. In most cases, the SOs are the best behaved kids on campus. The problem with mixing them in with other offenders is that in many ways it sets them up. So-called General offenders are not necessarilly non-violent. Assault is a Class A misdemeanor. Some of those highly assaultive General offenders target the SOs because they know that if the SO fights back, he can get sent back to the judge with a recommendation for transfer to TDCJ-ID. Some of the classified violent offenders actually have a much shorter history of delinquency than the so-called General Offenders. The VOs are so classified because of the nature of their particular crime - such as robbery, aggravated assault, assault with a deadly weapon, etc. even if it is the only crime they committed. Many General offenders, on the other hand, have a long history of gang involvement, assaults, car thefts, etc. The terminology can get very confusing. Old SaltyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-84400421337965714392008-04-07T17:47:00.000-05:002008-04-07T17:47:00.000-05:0010:38,Under the old administration, 32% of sentenc...10:38,<BR/><BR/>Under the old administration, 32% of sentenced offenders went to the Institutional Division of TDCJ from TYC, so your 80% is not a good bet.<BR/><BR/>Howard A. HickmanAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-10617098777203670062008-04-07T15:03:00.000-05:002008-04-07T15:03:00.000-05:0010:38."Judges and juries need to get serious with ...10:38.<BR/>"Judges and juries need to get serious with violent teen criminals and sex offenders." <BR/><BR/>What state are you in? This is Texas. <BR/><BR/>Judges and juries are quite serious about locking people up. Texas is the best in the country at that.<BR/><BR/>You don't know what you are talking about with sending the sentenced offenders directly to TDCJ. Youth who complete the C&SVOTP program have very low recidivism rates.<BR/><BR/>The youth we send to TDCJ should have such opportunities.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-79157822741722818672008-04-07T10:38:00.000-05:002008-04-07T10:38:00.000-05:00Gulf Coast Trades Center is a good place for some ...Gulf Coast Trades Center is a good place for some kids, but not all kids. They don't have a fence to keep in the runners. It would be great if Texas had more private placements like GCTC to handle all of the kids that would benefit from vocational training. I have thought for years that TDCJ would absorb TYC, and it looks like it will finally happen. Of course the lege needs to do it, and the first step will be to automatically send the sentenced offenders to TDCJ. No second and third chances anymore. I would bet that 80% of the SO's were sent to TDCJ anyway, so you might as well send them there to begin with. Judges and juries need to get serious with violent teen criminals and sex offenders.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-82756712112614191932008-04-07T08:03:00.000-05:002008-04-07T08:03:00.000-05:00wow, Thank for the information on the Richard Lava...wow, Thank for the information on the Richard Lavallo. This will be helpful. It has always been a concern. Now what do we do for those who are not special ED. Maybe Whitmire can help us with this one??Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-63034567983484199432008-04-06T21:39:00.000-05:002008-04-06T21:39:00.000-05:00wow. start talking about money and the contractor...wow. start talking about money and the contractors come with all sorts of good ideas.....FOR A PRICE.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-78735921723559102142008-04-06T21:36:00.000-05:002008-04-06T21:36:00.000-05:00That's him - and there's your bean. Richard Lavall...That's him - and there's your bean. Richard Lavallo. Special Ed. Advocay Inc. <BR/><BR/>WhitsfoeAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-13562691207551527642008-04-06T21:28:00.000-05:002008-04-06T21:28:00.000-05:00Whitsfoe his last name is Lavallo, Richard Lavallo...Whitsfoe his last name is Lavallo, Richard Lavallo.<BR/><BR/>"Chuy"Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com