tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post671787614060806786..comments2024-03-25T20:06:39.794-05:00Comments on Grits for Breakfast: Kimbrough: Shaquanda Cotton to go freeGritsforbreakfasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10152152869466958902noreply@blogger.comBlogger44125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-85302469131785851802007-06-01T15:33:00.000-05:002007-06-01T15:33:00.000-05:00well if you ask me "from experience" im in tyc rig...well if you ask me "from experience" im in tyc right now for risisting arrest and i think it is really unfair but i got 2 do 9 months in here if i wanna see my family again PLEASE IM BEGGING YOU I DO NOT DESERVE THIS TYC IS OUT OF THERE MINDS IM WITH THE ONE'S 100% THAT TYC NEEDS 2 SEND THE ONES WHO ARE REALLY COMMITTING CRIMES LIKE KILLING OR HURTING SOMEONE!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-23633700451652400952007-04-02T08:08:00.000-05:002007-04-02T08:08:00.000-05:00Oh, and I'm not sure what's going on with the Ed O...Oh, and I'm not sure what's going on with the Ed Owens/Buentello story. I heard through the grapevine two different reporters were poking around, but never saw anything. I will say that after an email exchange with someone who disputed Owens' involvement, their criticisms of that <A HREF="http://gritsforbreakfast.blogspot.com/2007/03/settled-lawsuit-alleged-tycs-ed-owens.html" REL="nofollow">Grits post</A> didn't hold up and I'm convinced there's a story there to be told, whenever the MSM gets around to it. I don't have the resources to do it right on the blog.<BR/><BR/>My wife thinks part of the reason it hasn't been covered is "blog envy," that the MSM don't want to be seen following a story first scooped on a blog. I hope they don't have that attitude - I write about a LOT of stuff that isn't covered in the MSM until it becomes a crisis. best,Gritsforbreakfasthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10152152869466958902noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-91824807807742328002007-04-02T07:07:00.000-05:002007-04-02T07:07:00.000-05:00Here's the link you're trying to post.Here's the <A HREF="http://blogs.chron.com/texaspolitics/archives/politics_in_general/criminal_justice/tyc/" REL="nofollow">link you're trying to post</A>.Gritsforbreakfasthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10152152869466958902noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-59776525172758739682007-04-02T01:47:00.000-05:002007-04-02T01:47:00.000-05:00http://blogs.chron.com/texaspolitics/archives/poli...http://blogs.chron.com/<BR/>texaspolitics/archives/<BR/>politics_in_general/<BR/>criminal_justice/tyc/<BR/><BR/>It keeps cutting if off. Last try.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-35868011875518586642007-04-01T11:10:00.000-05:002007-04-01T11:10:00.000-05:00Do you think they are listening? Heck, they ought ...Do you think they are listening? Heck, they ought to cut and paste these comments into the rehabilitation plan. I can tell that there are some pretty bright and experienced juvenile justice professionals on this site. I just wonder if anyone in the ledge is looking at these comments. wow...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-47762544360123606592007-04-01T09:26:00.000-05:002007-04-01T09:26:00.000-05:00The purpose of a letter writing campaign is to let...The purpose of a letter writing campaign is to let legislators know we expect reasoned and thoughtful decisions to be made.<BR/><BR/>Yes, there has been sexual abuse and yes, TYC has made mistakes - I never said they didn't. <BR/><BR/>My point is, the legislators and others need to take time to understand the system (such as, what is an extension of stay vs. a phase demotion) and evaluate what does and does not work. To date, I have not heard of anyone currently in charge asking questions about how things work - if you have heard them asking, please, let us know. I for one would have more confidence in the reform process if I at least knew that was happening at this stage. <BR/><BR/>They need to develop a thoughtful plan to address and hopefully correct recognized problems. They need to consider all, including unintended consequences, of changes before proposing and attempting to implement them. Although this may take more time than they are willing to wait, that is what we as citizens deserve from our elected officials.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-31078798506928520542007-04-01T00:03:00.000-05:002007-04-01T00:03:00.000-05:0011:51 pm-I have been posting a LOT on this board r...11:51 pm-<BR/>I have been posting a LOT on this board recently- and I can assure you, I am far from an elected official. I wish to hell I was, because heads would be rolling and the changes in TYC that SHOULD have been done by now WOULD be done. <BR/>I agree with everything that you said about the agency, past and present. ED OWENS SHOULD NOT BE THERE. Jay Kimbrough has no business in the TYC business. I am just (if not more) disgusted with what is going on than you are.<BR/>This site is one of the few places we can voice that. And, if there are actually any elected officials on this site that can do anything- I agree, stop grandstanding and sounding good for the cameras. Get off your ass and DO IT because it needs to be done- RIGHT AND NOW.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-71738671445986723172007-03-31T23:51:00.000-05:002007-03-31T23:51:00.000-05:00I honestly believe after reading all this that the...I honestly believe after reading all this that the majority of you are elected officials,because this is exactly what they have been doing for 2 months now. If you have not figured this out by now this is grandstanding at its best. Let Ms. Cotton out of TYC, I agree that she should have never been at TYC but TYC did not place her in the system. Why did Jay pick this case over all the others knowing that this was all over the news (every state). Stating for the news that at least 4000 youth would be considered for release, PLEASE!!! The Legislators had to have their open hearing so anybody and everybody would e allowed to speak their peace and now that this has been done we closed another chapter on righting the ship. As soon as the session is over this will be over, but the choices being made will take there effect for many years. TYC needs leaders, not what they have had in the past and not what they have now. What about Mr. Ed Owens is his past clean, was he involved in anything that would tarnish his ability to lead an agency that is currently in turmoil. Is this the reason Jay was named the Conservator?? I think we can all agree that TYC became the agency it is now based upon poor decisions by the Legislators (under funding-open bay dorms, overcrowding, poor leadership). GRITS you stated two weeks ago a report would be forthcoming about the SAMMY issue and Mr. Owens, what happened to this story?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-51603092564899436792007-03-31T23:29:00.000-05:002007-03-31T23:29:00.000-05:00To 7:29 pm, I commend you for the thought, time an...To 7:29 pm, <BR/>I commend you for the thought, time and effort you put into this- and for the mere fact you even care.<BR/>I have offered solutions myself and have many more. I just don't know if anyone is listening.<BR/>I heard Senator Whitmore say to Ed Owens- just tell the legislature what you want and what you need. No limits on money, just tell them and they will make it happen.<BR/>Well Senator(s), I hope you read this blog. There have been a lot of gripes, whines and other things, but there has also been many solutions offered too. I hope you are listening (reading). We're not done yet either. <BR/>Here's one of mine to you. If you really want solutions from people who have worked it, been in it and know how it runs, make a specific place- a website, a mail drop, something- where people can send you their ideas. You have your Senate email, but too much comes through there and you don't read it- your aides do. You or some other person who really is interested in hearing what will work needs to actually make it available for us to tell you. If you really want to know, make it happen.<BR/>What could it hurt? You could actually get accused of listening.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-13268336541395858382007-03-31T19:53:00.001-05:002007-03-31T19:53:00.001-05:00To 7:37 pm-I'm not Grits but I have a comment for ...To 7:37 pm-<BR/>I'm not Grits but I have a comment for you.<BR/>I love how you use all the big words like "FELON" and felony and assault with bodily injury, and assault of a public servant, yadda yadda yadda. Ohhh, they are all very big and scary words. Words that make me envision big scary people trying to rape me or break into my house and stab me or trying to beat up a police officer or take his gun. VERY SCARY.<BR/>Oh wait, again, let's refresh. We're talking about a 14 year old girl who after being pushed first, pushed a hall monitor who tried to stop her on the way to the nurses' office so she could take her medication. OH MY GOSH! I HAVE TO STOP TYPING NOW! THAT HORRIBLE LITTLE GIRL TERRIFIES ME! I'M GOING TO HAVE NIGHTMARES. I'M LOCKING MY DOORS NOW.<BR/>Yeah, right.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-45865159628869179982007-03-31T19:53:00.000-05:002007-03-31T19:53:00.000-05:00@ anon 7:37: Read the other commenters here to dis...@ anon 7:37: Read the other commenters here to discover what a constructive comment looks like. You keep coming back with bile and spurious accusations, but no solutions.<BR/><BR/>As for Cotton's race, that's your hangup, not mine. I don't hear you crying, e.g., because the white arsonist who got probation from the same judge isn't in TYC, though she poses a greater danger. Would you care at all if Shaquanda weren't black? I wonder - you seem particularly adamant.Gritsforbreakfasthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10152152869466958902noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-5243905149055408482007-03-31T19:37:00.000-05:002007-03-31T19:37:00.000-05:00I'm curious, Grits -- how many felonies does this ...I'm curious, Grits -- how many felonies does this little FELON have to commit before she deserves jail time. I see at least two -- assault with bodily injury and assault upon a public servant. Would three be sufficient? Four? Or do you truly believe that assault on school employees simply goes with the job and that no punishment should be meted out -- especially if the FELON in question is black?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-85037442667728190782007-03-31T19:29:00.000-05:002007-03-31T19:29:00.000-05:00I too have mixed feelings - Let’s examine where we...I too have mixed feelings - Let’s examine where we are going.....<BR/><BR/>1.) TYC is releasing non-violent offenders. This means that it does not discern if this was their 1st crime or their 15th. There is a big difference between someone who pushed a teachers aid and someone whom has stolen 6 cars over the last 3 years, sold drugs to feed his brothers and sisters, and got in a gang fight that was classified as a simple assault knowing that he was the OG (high rank) of the gang and was ordering others to do the dirty stuff. See, TYC was at the mercy of the counties and the courts. TYC gets kids from impoverished counties that have no services and/or resources and from major metroplex's that have services that the youth have been through and blown repeatedly. On the way out of TYC, there is not going to be a look at who is from where and what the circumstances were that got them adjudicated. The courts and counties made that decision before they went there. So, general offenders are being released that complete their 9 mo. minimum length of stay and only completed phase 1 of the resoc. program and go without a major incident for 30 days.(most do that during their 1st 30 days of placement it is simple memorization work) What were they doing the other 8 months they were there? See, the gang OG can then run their game for 8 months and then get it together with no problem the last 30 days to be free to go out to the community and do it again. The kid that pushed the teacher may have social skill issues and developmental delays that need treatment and prevent their ability to meet the standards, but they are much less likely to prey on others. There is no way for TYC to win in this situation. They really want fewer youth, but the staff doesn’t want their name on some of them they are being told to send out. Also, realize that these youth are going to go onto already oversized Parole Officer caseloads. If they have no homes to go to and they are 17 and older they will go to shelters. If they are under 17, TYC will call CPS and tell them they are being released and the day to come get them. I hope the shelters and CPS are getting emergency funding to deal with what is coming.<BR/><BR/>Resolution - You have to realize by now that there are good employees w/in TYC. Mr. Kimsbrough needs to find some of them and get the real scoop of the choices he is making. He is impacting a no doubt troubled system that needs fixing, but he has no idea what he is doing. I believe that his arrogance will prevent him from seeing this, but someone really needs to alert the public and let them know what is happening. Maybe the people he is grandstanding for will help him to wake-up. There must be a more comprehensive review of who is being sent to the streets.<BR/><BR/>2. I really wish that people would separate the issues of child abuse in TYC and system reform. There is child abuse in TYC - no doubt. I want all those suckers locked up and anyone that condoned it to get accessory charges. The system reform is needed in many ways....<BR/>-independent oversight of investigations and complaints. I believe that the system that was in place got to big too quick and despite efforts to address the issues, there was no real vision in executive mgmt. to deal with it. They just took existing positions and gave them more duties. You know that there is no way to do quality work when there is more work than what a reasonable person can get accomplished. These people who managed the system on a local level couldn't spend the time doing it in a quality way. Furthermore, if they have to spend a significant amount of time in the grievance system, how are they ever to do the preventative management and make the place a good place to be? Impossible. There needs to be an independent authority to deal with grievances (staff and youth) and investigations (administrative and criminal). Let the local staff get back to managing the facility instead of investigating it.<BR/>-legal calling the shots instead of advising and executive mgmt. making decision. See, Mr. Harris' downfall was in his confidence to do the right thing. He always let the lawyers make the decisions. We all know that lawyers don't manage agencies, they advise. Especially lawyers that were put in place during the morales v. turman period. You could see the TYC staff give exec. mgmt feedback and not be listened to because they were trying to avoid upsetting anyone and being sued. Hell, now look who is upset. They should have had the guts to make the right decision and then let the lawyers help in presenting the cases as to why it was right.<BR/>-resocialization. It is not a bad system, but it was way too complicated and Caseworker intensive. Once again, TYC staff attempted to let them know that, but the rehabilitation department didn't hear it. How could they, most of them have never worked at an institution? There needs to be a simpler case mangement system put in place with a more defined role. The resocalization program needs to be separated from the disciplinary program. And once again, someone needs to listen to the good staff that have been doing this for years to find out how to go about it.<BR/>-too many Central Office staff that don't know what is going on out in the field. Regionalize it and get them out there working instead of sitting in the castle telling others what to do.<BR/>-training is not just the 80 hours that is reported, it is much longer, it is just the wrong kind of training. TYC has been training people from book work to keep them out of law suits. They need real OJT, but they do not have the staff to support this system. Once again - get the Central Office staff out in the field. There is no reason they all have to live in Austin.<BR/>- Too Few Supervisors with too much paperwork. On the dorms that are having the most problems, they are open bay style dorms. It is like taking 24 kids and putting them in a gymnasium with 1 staff all the time. There would be problems with well adjusted kids - just imagine what it is like with the ones at TYC. When the lege. built and funded those dorms after a TDCJ model, they decided that they needed 75% less staff and 50% less supervisors to run them. They thought that they didn't need it because the style of dorm afforded the staff to be able to see all the kids all the time. On the other hand it gave the kids no place to separate themselves when they needed time alone to calm down. It gave the kids no way to get away from the noise (they echo), nor the ability to feel safe when they were asleep. 1 staff cannot prevent a kid from getting to you to kick your axx if you made him mad the day before. TYC has plans for how to reconfigure those dorms - Has anyone asked to see that?<BR/><BR/>3.) The lege. has got to get counties to be able to afford prevention services with the youth in the counties and only send kids to TYC that really need to go. The problem is that it cannot come quick enough to deal with the youth that are hitting the street this month.<BR/><BR/>Resolution - I urge you all to go out and talk with the county CRCG committee's. There needs to be a statewide investment in receiving these kids back. If, not - they will reoffend and end up back at TYC on parole revocations and we will do this again in a few months. It will completely disable the system and be a revolving door with no real intervention. <BR/><BR/>There are no good answers, but things are starting to move quickly at TYC - The communities and neighborhoods really need to be prepared. This is a difficult, multifaceted problem that needs local community leadership to step up to the plate. They better start now.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-55852280036619787422007-03-31T18:55:00.000-05:002007-03-31T18:55:00.000-05:00Rest assured, as soon as (if she isn't there alrea...Rest assured, as soon as (if she isn't there already) Miss Cotton's feet hit the city limits of Paris, TX, she is going to be under unbelievable 24 hour/7 day a week scrutiny. Don't think that the Judge (who is most assuredly pissed) hasn't informed every law enforcement agency officer, court representative or nosy neighbor to watch her every breath. If Miss Cotton even farts without saying excuse me (which will undoubtedly be twisted into a felony offense), she'll be gone. She may not have a chance as someone once said- but it goes both ways.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-26629722437497561452007-03-31T18:54:00.000-05:002007-03-31T18:54:00.000-05:00I have no interest in profiting from this scandal....I have no interest in profiting from this scandal. I'm just as poor as Grits: we eat, live, and think Grits daily. Sometimes, we eat hotdogs. Got any mustard?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-27727114895344353842007-03-31T18:16:00.000-05:002007-03-31T18:16:00.000-05:00To 5:05 pm-I liked and agreed with everything you ...To 5:05 pm-<BR/>I liked and agreed with everything you said- until your final sentence.<BR/>I agree, you and Grits should possibly hook up and write a book. But, instead of using the information regarding the abuse, neglect and disregard of students and staff within the TYC system to "make a mint" for yourself, how about you donate that money to open up more halfway houses you spoke of.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-41967574251795142062007-03-31T17:05:00.000-05:002007-03-31T17:05:00.000-05:00I don’t want to sound “soft” or anything….. but….I...I don’t want to sound “soft” or anything….. but….I have mixed feelings about these soon to be released kids. On one hand, I'll be glad to see them go because they have done their time and then some, but on the other hand, I look at the environment that they are going back to. I'd say we have many that would rather go somewhere else other than where they came from (i.e. abusive homes). I’m not kidding when I say we have kids that act out in the institutions because they don’t want to go home.<BR/><BR/>For those that fall in that category, it'd be nice to have their input as to if they want to return to that environment. Then, there will be those whose parents don't want them home or that their victim is in the home (these are normally sex offenders). What are we going to do, release them to the Salvation Army or other homeless shelters? The thought of doing that makes me sick. I hope the agency sinks some serious bucks into independent living programs, but even at that, you're still going to have some that aren't old enough to enter that program. The counties had better brace themselves. I‘d also hope the state has a plan to support these counties; otherwise, the counties will send them right back to us. What a social dilemma. The Texas Youth Commission will never be the same. And that, in my opinion, is a good thing. <BR/><BR/>And Scott, I want to commend you for this blog site. It’s a tremendous relief knowing that we have a forum to vent our frustrations and concerns, and you’ve been pretty fair about the postings as evidenced by presenting both sides. We should hook up and write a book about this whole situation. I have the material, you have the writing skills…. A best seller in the making…. We would make a mint. Cheers.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-19678120213940079392007-03-31T16:45:00.000-05:002007-03-31T16:45:00.000-05:00Dear 4:21 pm,Thank you for your letter to Gov. Ric...Dear 4:21 pm,<BR/>Thank you for your letter to Gov. Rick Perry. Unfortunately, he is unable to reply personally to your "hello" due to recruiting more friends for high level positions, deleting his emails and practicing diversionary speech techniques by holding up his keys and saying, "Hey look! Over here! Shiny things!"Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-55347613393087249232007-03-31T16:21:00.000-05:002007-03-31T16:21:00.000-05:00"What would you do in their stead, I wonder, besid..."What would you do in their stead, I wonder, besides spout snarky insults about people you don't know?"<BR/><BR/>Actually I'll bet Rick Perry spouts snarky insults behind the scenes, don't you think? Jay Kimbrough, with his silver hair, Harley and Darth Vader tie, seems like he could be a little classier, maybe.<BR/><BR/>Could the Guv himself have taken to anonymously posting on blogs? Hmm. Is that you, Rick? :)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-90003460859198562112007-03-31T16:03:00.000-05:002007-03-31T16:03:00.000-05:00I love you Grits. Very well said.I love you Grits. Very well said.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-28838251185762064192007-03-31T15:50:00.000-05:002007-03-31T15:50:00.000-05:00@the last anon: You know, all the "little darlings...@the last anon: You know, all the "little darlings," "little angels" stuff is a smarmy pile of crap - if I have zero tolerance for anything it's that. You don't offer any solutions, but you're happy to whine and complain. Staff are injured, too, because of overcrowding but you don't appear to care. Apparently this is all a big joke to you.<BR/><BR/>Meanwhile, Jay Kimbrough and Rick Perry (the ones solely responsible for the decision to release anybody) are a couple of softie liberals, to hear you tell it. What would you do in their stead, I wonder, besides spout snarky insults about people you don't know?Gritsforbreakfasthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10152152869466958902noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-73467478610174251172007-03-31T15:33:00.000-05:002007-03-31T15:33:00.000-05:00Tjdo, there is already a zero tolerance crowd. It'...Tjdo, there is already a zero tolerance crowd. It's those that say no one under 21 should have to go to juvy or prison for anything. They should be given a choice of what to do about their crimes. Oh, and the mother gets to determine which choices! Isn't that nice of them? They have zero tolerance for anyone that wants to feel safe in public.<BR/><BR/>Oh, and teachers, smeachers, they are worthless and we need to protect the violent (oops, that slipped) little darlings from them.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-5294564570417705392007-03-31T13:35:00.000-05:002007-03-31T13:35:00.000-05:00I'm just wondering, is zero tolerance of kids bein...I'm just wondering, is zero tolerance of kids being kids starting to really kick our asses?tttthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12920590524803977044noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-26878188813660701022007-03-31T12:44:00.000-05:002007-03-31T12:44:00.000-05:00I checked out that blog! OMG!! Alfonso Royal- (the...I checked out that blog! OMG!! Alfonso Royal- (the one that Ed Owens is answering to in the Governor's office) was being considered to replace Dwight Harris before this all blew up??? What the hell??? He is an accountant!! AND, by the looks of it- he has had knowledge of this whole TYC cover up and MORE since 2005 and the whole time this situation has been going on! HE IS THE ONE ED OWENS ANSWERS TO????<BR/>Oh God help us all.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-69692166144254311342007-03-31T12:22:00.000-05:002007-03-31T12:22:00.000-05:00Hi folks. In addition to this great site, if you w...Hi folks. In addition to this great site, if you would like to see other info. on TYC, here is another one:<BR/><BR/>http://capitolannex.com/category/tyc-scandal/<BR/><BR/>It talks about the new lawsuit at the Mart facility Grits mentioned. Also, very interesting info. on Mr. Perry's email procedures.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com