NEW AND IMPROVED CORRECTIONAL CENTERS FOR TEXAS (FROM COUNTY JUDGES AND COMMISSIONERS CONFERENCE - ANNUAL, 19TH, 1977, PROCEEDINGS)

• NCJ Number: 58060
• Author(s): G VANCLEAVE
• Date Published: 1977
• Length: 6 pages
• Sponsoring Agency: Texas A&M University
• Corporate Author: Texas A&M University
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

PRESENTED AT THE 9TH ANNUAL COUNTY JUDGES AND COMMISSIONERS CONFERENCE, THIS PAPER FOCUSES ON JAIL STANDARDS IN THE STATE OF TEXAS AND THE ESTABLISHMENT OF IMPROVED CORRECTIONAL CENTERS.

Abstract

MINIMUM JAIL STANDARDS WERE ESTABLISHED BY THE TEXAS LEGISLATURE IN 1957. BECAUSE NO ONE WAS GIVEN DIRECT AUTHORITY TO ENFORCE THESE STANDARDS EFFECTIVELY, AN ESTIMATED 40 PERCENT OF ALL JAILS IN THE STATE ARE UNDER SOME TYPE OF LITIGATION. A COMMISSION ON JAIL STANDARDS SINCE HAS BEEN ESTABLISHED TO DRAFT REASONABLE STANDARDS AND TO INSURE THAT THEY ARE ENFORCED. THREE TERMS IN THE STANDARDS FORMULATED BY THE COMMISSION ARE OF PARTICULAR IMPORTANCE. THEY CONCERN MANDATORY, RECOMMENDED, AND PERMISSIVE CONCEPTS USED IN THE TERMINOLOGY OF THE STANDARDS. COST IS VIEWED AS A MAJOR PROBLEM IN ENFORCING THE STANDARDS IN A WAY THAT WILL ASSURE THE HEALTH OF INMATES, SANITATION, SAFETY, AND SECURITY. COST IS ALSO AN IMPORTANT FACTOR TO CONSIDER IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF JAILS. THE PROBLEM OF SUPERVISION IN SMALL JAILS IS EXAMINED. (DEP)