Tomorrow (Sep. 1, 2010), the Texas Commission on Jail Standards (TCJS) will present its Legislative Appropriations Request for fiscal years 2012 and 2013 to the Budget, Planning and Policy Division of the Governor's Office and to the Legislative Budget Board. The Hearing will take place from 9:00 am - 10:30 am in the Capitol Extension, Room E2.028. Public comments will be permitted.
In the face of a potential 15% budget cut (including across-the-board 5% agency budget cuts and an extra 10% budget cut), TCJS could potentially lose 2-3 staff members, possibly inspectors (out of a current total of 5 inspectors).
Without inspections, TCJS will not be able to fully realize its critical mission to set constitutional jail standards, conduct facility inspections, and enforce compliance with rules and procedures – all of which keep Texas jails safe, well regulated, and run by educated, professional leadership.
Let’s not forget why TCJS was established. In the early 1970’s, various lawsuits were filed against
We cannot allow the state to roll back the progress it has made since the mid 70’s. TCJS must continue to be provided a level of funding equal to – or more than (see note below) – what it is presently receiving. Failure to do so will pose a threat to personnel and to crucial functions, including travel for on-site trainings and technical assistance for jail administrators, the timely re-inspection of noncompliant facilities, special inspections of at-risk facilities, and meetings with local leadership to address facility issues.
NOTE: Compared to the budget and responsibilities of other state agencies, TCJS's annual budget of $1,024,506 (submitted by the agency for FY 2012 and 13 – already 5% less than it was appropriated for FY 10 and 11) is insufficient to meet the growing demands of counties. At the very least, this amount must be maintained, but increased funding would better enable it to fulfill its mission and assist counties in need.
Solutions to Budget Cuts
Instead of making harmful budgetary cuts to agencies like the Texas Commission on Jail Standards, the Legislature must take advantage of the Rainy Day Fund, which could provide over $9 billion for the 2012-2013 state budget. Additionally, policy-makers must maximize the use of available federal funding, including any additional stimulus aid or new matching funds made available by health care reform. Finally, the Legislature must create new sources of revenue that are equitable and can grow with the need for public services, including cost-savings through the elimination of unproductive tax breaks.
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19 comments:
The Texas Commission on Jail Standards deserves less NOT more!! If it were up to me, they would be SHUT DOWN as an ineffective state agency. All they do is visit these jails and make "recommendations". They even warn the jails before their visits. That way the outdated mystery meat casserole they were going to serve all of the sudden turns into something decent to eat...just for that visit mind you. Then of course, the jailers and guards soften their attitude and speak like humans again.Of course once TCJS is gone, the abusive practices resume. So why was it that we need TCJS for again??....Andres Morin
It sounds like the Agency needs to start leveling civil fines for violations. This would be a good source of revenue maybe the Agency would start calling a spade a spade when they found a violation.
Jess. Lets fund more illegals, more juvenile pregnacies, more welfare for the lazy/worthless, more Texas cards for drugs/candy/cigarettes, etc. When does it end? Other average Texans have to live also. Stop the fuffin ripoffs.
Texas prisons are reminding me more and more of old time sanitariums. Something needs to change for the better.
Where are the feds?
If we cut the size of the Texas prison population in half we would be able to support ten inspectors with real clout. We simply can't afford the expense or the negative social impact of mass incarceration. Fiddling with the current system will get us nowhere; we need a new public consensus.
Texas prisons need federal oversight, yet again.
what about using the $6000.00 funds allocated for judge lisa k jarrett to make her fully functional court room look nice .
cut jobs for this?
break state laws for this?
i find judge lisa jarrett wrong in so many ways.
where is her contributions list for 2009?
One only needs to look at the consecutive jail inspection failures at Dallas County and the the bizarre casesat Montague County to realize this agency needs to be dumped.
Cutting inspectors. I doubt the executive directors daily schedule would preclude him from rolling up his sleeves and conducting inspections himself.
It's more about consolidating job duties and multi tasking in this day and time.
Anonymous 11:47
Yes, I would definitely vote to increase funding for ALL those things--those are the people that need society's help, and I for one would be glad to see my tax dollars going for something I believe in--social justice causes--than for more jails, more prisons, more guards. Sounds like you've been listening to too much Fox news, Glen Beck and Rush Limbaugh.
Reading these comments, I have to ask: where are the people who know something about the Texas Commission on Jail Standards? First of all we're talking about oversight of COUNTY JAILS, not prisons. Secondly, TCJS operates with a limited staff, a tiny budget and a director who goes out into the field and walks into jails and asks questions. Of course, they don't do everything some of us want, but they have a very limited mandate and are walking a fine line.
Can you imagine how difficult it is to bring stubborn, powerful local sheriffs and commissioners into the 21st century? In some 250 counties?
The number of inspectors they have as of last fall is just barely enough but it is allowing more surprise inspections—the one thing that bad jail administrators don’t want. Eliminating some of the inspectors (which is all they can do if this cut is made) will mean more DDD—danger, disease and deaths, in jails holding a vulnerable population, many of whom are pre-trial.
Here at the Texas Jail Project, I deal every day with desperate complaints from families and friends of inmates inside these jails. TCJS responds to me and provides all kinds of info I can get no where else. Sometimes we disagree and sometimes the jail hides its wrongdoing. The bottom line is we need the TCJS to be there, warts and all. With no cuts.
Like Ana says, his is the rainy day—use that money where it counts.
More money is not the answer. People who are honest and have the correct moral compass are the answer! It's time, in fact, way past time for Texas to rid itself of this damned good ole boy and gal system that makes ineptness commonplace at almost every level of government.
Let me suggest putting some folks into this commission who are intelligent, can read and understand BUT ARE NOT connected to any Sheriff or jail and NEVER HAVE BEEN. Give this commission some teeth and if it already has them, then encourage them to start biting!
Enough is enough!
Anonymous said...
Where are the feds?
9/01/2010 09:13:00 AM
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Shaking there heads like those of us who have an ounce of common sense.
Alan Bean said...
If we cut the size of the Texas prison population in half we would be able to support ten inspectors with real clout. We simply can't afford the expense or the negative social impact of mass incarceration. Fiddling with the current system will get us nowhere; we need a new public consensus.
9/01/2010 09:51:00 AM
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A new public consensus will be nearly impossible when the "sheeple" believe, hook, line and sinker, this tough on crime mantra that they have been fed by the good ole idiots who run (ruin) this state.
Texas can be as modern as it wants but when your politics are rooted in places like Paint Creek, you have a problem!
"That way the outdated mystery meat casserole they were going to serve all of the sudden turns into something decent to eat..."
So you want Sheriff Joe and his Dietician to plan your meals?
Seriously the Jail commission could balance the budget by charging for the inspections they do. And extra when follow up inspections are needed. If the county doesn't pay directly the comptroller and take it out of the tax rebate the county recieves.
Ham2mtr
Throwing money at problems is a time honored Texas tradition. The legislature is famous for this.
Example #1, prison exonerees. Pay em off and don't worry about having so many locked up or how they got there. Do whatever we have must to keep them from suing and all the dirt coming out.
Example #1, TCJS needing more money is a joke. It needs an over-haul and needs to be rid of the "insiders" who are policing the jails. Without question this is the fox guarding the hen-house which is typical Texas.
"Seriously the Jail commission could balance the budget by charging for the inspections they do."
I just love it when government and supporters of more government want to charge taxpayers for bureaus, commissions, and agencies that government creates.
"Give this commission some teeth and if it already has them, then encourage them to start biting!"
They do have teeth by way of remedial orders and authority to close jails, they just won't bite. They don't do it because local officials will put pressure on their state elected rep and senator. That state rep and senator is going to side where the votes and influence are and that's with local officials.
"Can you imagine how difficult it is to bring stubborn, powerful local sheriffs and commissioners into the 21st century? In some 250 counties?"
Ms. Claitor...which county sheriff's and commissioners are you specifically referring to?
"Finally, the Legislature must create new sources of revenue that are equitable and can grow with the need for public services, including cost-savings through the elimination of unproductive tax breaks."
Are we talking about raising taxes and eliminating tax breaks?
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