Welcome to Texas justice: You might beat the rap, but you won't beat the ride.
Saturday, June 21, 2008
Traveling Open Thread
I'm leaving town for a couple or three days and blogging will be light. Consider this an open thread to let me know what Texas criminal justice subjects deserve Grits readers' attention.
I think the MSM is doing a pretty superficial job in reporting what's going on. It's apparent from the comments just on this blog that there's more here than meets the eye. Kevin Krause has been covering this stuff. Do reporters not read blogs?
Y'all may want to look at Coram Non Judice about the latest information about the FLDS and Willie Jessop.
Seems like he may have unwittingly caused Annette Jeffs to violate a court order prohibiting her from taking her daughter to the YFZ Ranch, which would be grounds for Judge Walther to order the girl back into CPS custody.
BROWNWOOD (AP) - Brown County Sheriff Bobby Grubbs says he's fired three of his jailers after accusing them of giving inmates snuff and cell phone access. Grubbs identifies the jailers as 21-year-old Jason Behler of May, 19-year-old Josh Crowder of Early and 37-year-old Anthony Spivey of Bangs. Al are charged with possessing prohibited substances in a correctional facility. http://www.ktxs.com/
Scott I have a question ~ why is it so difficult for inmates to get any outstanding warrents sorted out while they are in TDCJ? Why do so many get approved for parole, even though they have made it known they have outstanding cases, only to be released to a detainer and in many cases sent straight back to TDCJ again?
Sunray - It is because the Parole Board is in constant cover your ass mode. If they release someone to a detainer, they figure there is no risk because that person will be back in prison soon enough.
Also, it increases the recidivism rate (parolees that return to prison within 3 years). The higher that rate, the more justification for denying parole to others.
Of course the parole board has to release some inmates to parole to justify their existance. The fact is the parole board is not capable of evaluating accurately the real risk of a parole violation.
To answer your question, they're picking the "low hanging fruit". The way the Texas BPP operates is a waste of money in my opinion.
Don't give up in your efforts. Persistance pays off when all else fails.
How about the issue of more money for Bexar County CSCD Employees. I understand there was a budget meeting (open meeting) scheduled on 6/20/08 @ 1200 pm.
There are 21 District Court / County Court criminal judges. Judges are needed to have a quorum. Only six judges showed to hear budget matters. The Judges that showed were the following: Guerrero; Canales; Alonzo; Kazen; Gardner-Vasquez; and Mcrea was walking in late. The judges that were no shows were the ones whom don't like Fitzgerald and his policies (regionalization plans), and one Judge Roman whom appears to have washed her hands of the probation department. My question is why are they playing politics at the Officers and Staff expense? If they don't care for him why don't they get rid of him and lets move on? To me it sounds as if some judges need to go.
The restriction from going to the ranch was discussed at the Dallas Morning News (mention the other lawyers involved, including Annette Jeffs' attorney.
The Deseret News reported that the order prohibited the "from being within 1,000 feet of the location known as 'YFZ Ranch' in Eldorado, Texas."
From the reports of the order, and the motion filed by Malonis, it is clear that Teresa Jeffs was not to be within 1000 feet of the ranch, and that it was not merely a prohibition on her living there.
Not that it matters in the circumstances that took place when they visited the ranch, but there was a restriction on Teresa being within 1,000 feet of the YFZ.
I'm trying to find out who is behind the scenes preventing HB2391 from being codified at the local levels. Who is lobbying to prevent freeing up jail space as per the new state law? Somebody talked Hays Co. out of their commitment to implement the measure...which threw a wrench into APD implementing it to match Travis' long-time commitment to the cite and release option for some class b's and a's. (small pieces of Austin is in Hays Co. and Wilco....see keepaustinsafe.org)
It's a no brainer and resistance in Austin is futile! :) Stop hiding behind closed doors whoever you are that is so gung ho to throw non-violent people in jail. Come out and join in a public debate on the matter.
Looks like the answer to the opening comment to this thread is "yes."
Or else, everyone's just lost interest. That's sad, because with 4 employees sacked and more probably to follow (especially if Budget goes through with its threat to eliminate the appellate section and the attorneys representing parents and children in CPS matters-that's 9 attorneys right there.), one would think this would be a more lively topic.
I understand that as of yesterday Paul Kosierowski is no longer with the Bexar County Adult Probation Department. He was the only administrator with any sense there. With him gone, no telling what Fitzgerald will do.
So what's the latest scoop at the Dallas County Public Defender's Office? Is everyone in "duck and cover" mode?
ReplyDeleteI think the MSM is doing a pretty superficial job in reporting what's going on. It's apparent from the comments just on this blog that there's more here than meets the eye. Kevin Krause has been covering this stuff. Do reporters not read blogs?
ReplyDeleteY'all may want to look at Coram Non Judice about the latest information about the FLDS and Willie Jessop.
ReplyDeleteSeems like he may have unwittingly caused Annette Jeffs to violate a court order prohibiting her from taking her daughter to the YFZ Ranch, which would be grounds for Judge Walther to order the girl back into CPS custody.
Oops.
what's the latest at the Bexar County Aduly probation department and the firing of the messenger??
ReplyDeleteThree jailers fired in Brown County
ReplyDeleteBROWNWOOD (AP) - Brown County Sheriff Bobby Grubbs says he's fired three of his jailers after accusing them of giving inmates snuff and cell phone access. Grubbs identifies the jailers as 21-year-old Jason Behler of May, 19-year-old Josh Crowder of Early and 37-year-old Anthony Spivey of Bangs. Al are charged with possessing prohibited substances in a correctional facility.
http://www.ktxs.com/
Scott I have a question ~ why is it so difficult for inmates to get any outstanding warrents sorted out while they are in TDCJ? Why do so many get approved for parole, even though they have made it known they have outstanding cases, only to be released to a detainer and in many cases sent straight back to TDCJ again?
ReplyDeleteSunray - It is because the Parole Board is in constant cover your ass mode. If they release someone to a detainer, they figure there is no risk because that person will be back in prison soon enough.
ReplyDeleteAlso, it increases the recidivism rate (parolees that return to prison within 3 years). The higher that rate, the more justification for denying parole to others.
Of course the parole board has to release some inmates to parole to justify their existance. The fact is the parole board is not capable of evaluating accurately the real risk of a parole violation.
To answer your question, they're picking the "low hanging fruit". The way the Texas BPP operates is a waste of money in my opinion.
Don't give up in your efforts. Persistance pays off when all else fails.
Grits:
ReplyDeleteHow about the issue of more money for Bexar County CSCD Employees. I understand there was a budget meeting (open meeting) scheduled on 6/20/08 @ 1200 pm.
There are 21 District Court / County Court criminal judges. Judges are needed to have a quorum. Only six judges showed to hear budget matters. The Judges that showed were the following: Guerrero; Canales; Alonzo; Kazen; Gardner-Vasquez; and Mcrea was walking in late. The judges that were no shows were the ones whom don't like Fitzgerald and his policies (regionalization plans), and one Judge Roman whom appears to have washed her hands of the probation department. My question is why are they playing politics at the Officers and Staff expense? If they don't care for him why don't they get rid of him and lets move on? To me it sounds as if some judges need to go.
I'm lost on where TBM came up with the idea Teresa Jeffs could not visit the YFZ Ranch.
ReplyDeleteAs I understood it, she could not LIVE at the ranch.
Who wants to bet TBM is correct?
Any odds?
For the record, I am not the one that put the name out. Brooke did, AFTER talking to Annette and Teresa.
ReplyDeleteAt the Trib, from Brooke
kbp,
ReplyDeleteThe restriction from going to the ranch was discussed at the Dallas Morning News (mention the other lawyers involved, including Annette Jeffs' attorney.
The Deseret News reported that the order prohibited the "from being within 1,000 feet of the location known as 'YFZ Ranch' in Eldorado, Texas."
From the reports of the order, and the motion filed by Malonis, it is clear that Teresa Jeffs was not to be within 1000 feet of the ranch, and that it was not merely a prohibition on her living there.
LOL, hope you didn't put too much money on it...
Jesus txblues, get your own readership and quit pimping your lame ass blog here.
ReplyDeleteRage,
ReplyDeleteIf Grits asks me not to post a link to my blog, I won't. I don't think he sees it as a threat - his blog is obviously head and shoulders above mine.
My advice to you would be if you don't want to read either my blog or posts here, don't.
I stand corrected!
ReplyDeleteNot that it matters in the circumstances that took place when they visited the ranch, but there was a restriction on Teresa being within 1,000 feet of the YFZ.
You got one right TBM.
Care to try for two?
I'm trying to find out who is behind the scenes preventing HB2391 from being codified at the local levels. Who is lobbying to prevent freeing up jail space as per the new state law? Somebody talked Hays Co. out of their commitment to implement the measure...which threw a wrench into APD implementing it to match Travis' long-time commitment to the cite and release option for some class b's and a's. (small pieces of Austin is in Hays Co. and Wilco....see keepaustinsafe.org)
ReplyDeleteIt's a no brainer and resistance in Austin is futile! :) Stop hiding behind closed doors whoever you are that is so gung ho to throw non-violent people in jail. Come out and join in a public debate on the matter.
The blood-letting at the Dallas County Public Defender's Office continues...
ReplyDeleteLooks like the answer to the opening comment to this thread is "yes."
ReplyDeleteOr else, everyone's just lost interest. That's sad, because with 4 employees sacked and more probably to follow (especially if Budget goes through with its threat to eliminate the appellate section and the attorneys representing parents and children in CPS matters-that's 9 attorneys right there.), one would think this would be a more lively topic.
I understand that as of yesterday Paul Kosierowski is no longer with the Bexar County Adult Probation Department. He was the only administrator with any sense there. With him gone, no telling what Fitzgerald will do.
ReplyDelete