NCJ Number
109217
Journal
Public Interest Issue: 89 Dated: (Autumn 1987) Pages: 71-90
Date Published
1987
Length
20 pages
Annotation
The changes in Texas prison administration as a result of the case of Ruiz v. Estelle illustrate the impacts of judicial intervention in prisons.
Abstract
This case began in 1972, was not decided until the 1980's, and revolutionized the way that the State ran its prisons. Prior to the judicial intervention, the prisons operated on the control model of penal administration established by Dr. George Beto, head of the State's prison system. Beto also established a 'building tender' system, in which inmates were used to control other inmates. During the tenure of Beto's successor, W. J. Estelle, this system ultimately led to the destruction of the control model. The court's intervention eliminated the building tender system and imposed numerous legal, political, and budgetary constraints on the correctional system. Changes in leadership and the loss of the control model were accompanied by increasing disorder and violence within the prisons. The violence reached a peak in 1984 and 1985. The history of the judicial intervention shows the need for judges to visit institutions, make direct observations, and talk to inmates and staff. Judges need to redefine their role in corrections by recognizing not only prisoners' rights but also the need for prison managers to have enough formal authority to govern offenders while being subject to both internal and external checks and balances.