tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post3869603924866118517..comments2024-03-25T20:06:39.794-05:00Comments on Grits for Breakfast: More Veto Analysis: What Does Governor Perry Have Against Prison Guards?Gritsforbreakfasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10152152869466958902noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-18186028499571299442007-06-18T13:00:00.000-05:002007-06-18T13:00:00.000-05:00I think HB 2103 needs a drastic rewite. Let's not ...I think HB 2103 needs a drastic rewite. Let's not call it a pilot program in the first place and no expiration date. Frankly, this bill would have just benefitted Kolkhorst's district and to me, that's unfair. I don't care what log rolling went on to have this bill passed in both chambers, there are thousands of deserving correctional officers around the state who deserve a break, just not those in the Huntsville area. Besides, the majority of correctional officers don't live nor work in the Huntsville area.<BR/><BR/>Good idea, very bad planning. I seldom agree with Perry, but he's right on this account.tttthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12920590524803977044noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-59676274585019132922007-06-18T08:58:00.000-05:002007-06-18T08:58:00.000-05:00Right on TJDO! The Board made the change without a...Right on TJDO! The Board made the change without any "Grandfathering"; or input from Wardens. Scott, the Board made the decision then had it codified during the next legeslative session. I think the change in good time restoration was the biggist mistake (and there were many) I had to live with during my years as a Warden for TDC/TDCJ.<BR/>Retired 2004.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-80869260610844729312007-06-18T00:19:00.000-05:002007-06-18T00:19:00.000-05:00Well, I'm here to tell you that when the legislatu...Well, I'm here to tell you that when the legislature took away our discretion from restoring good conduct time, they pulled the rug out from under my feet. As a former warden I used this management tool exclusively for inmates who had learned their lesson. The restoration of lost good time was not used indiscriminately. Inmates got back their lost good time because their behavior changed enough to warrant it. There were rules to be followed and a classification system that had checks and balances to ensure that those deserving of a restoration of their lost good time were considered. To this day, there is not one study that would show that restoring lost good time created a public safety issue. Furthermore, I challege any social scientist or politician to produce such a study. It's hogwash and an insult to those who know prison management and the convict subculture. Governor Zoolander, if you can do better, put on a uniform.tttthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12920590524803977044noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-88217685496612819492007-06-17T08:31:00.000-05:002007-06-17T08:31:00.000-05:00Why worry about prisons, period? That's our short...Why worry about prisons, period? That's our short-sighted guv. Why reduce turnover for COs or make it a better job, period? It might increase the safety of offenders! Oh, no!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-91510332079206091872007-06-17T08:06:00.000-05:002007-06-17T08:06:00.000-05:00Actually the statute disalllows TDCJ from restorin...Actually the statute disalllows TDCJ from restoring good time, see the <A HREF="http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlodocs/80R/billtext/html/HB00044F.htm" REL="nofollow">text of the bill</A> they were changing. The board cannot do it on their own.<BR/><BR/>As for the education, I see it as a perk for getting people to commit to one of state government's highest turnover jobs (~25% annual turnover, 48% for JCOs at TYC). If you're not going to give competitive pay, you need to do <I>something</I> to attract people. If not perks like this or higher pay, then I don't know what.Gritsforbreakfasthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10152152869466958902noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-13627817825484627482007-06-17T00:59:00.000-05:002007-06-17T00:59:00.000-05:00The Board of Criminal Justice, some years back, di...The Board of Criminal Justice, some years back, did away with reinstating lost good time. This made wardens angry because it took away a very valuable management tool. The responsibility lies with them. Thay can change it any time they wish.<BR/><BR/>As far as education goes, a CO can do like millions of other people do if they want to go to school, get a tudent loan. Besides, it's not the money issue for CO's, it's the ability to get a decent work schedule that would allow them to go to school. At present, it's just not doable. Taxpayers don't need to be footing the bill for any state employee to go to school. If they're doing it now, they need to stop.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com