NCJ Number
45568
Journal
Corrections Magazine Volume: 4 Issue: 1 Dated: (MARCH 1978) Pages: 4-7
Date Published
1978
Length
4 pages
Annotation
A PROFILE OF THE TEXAS PRISON SYSTEM, WITH ITS STRICT DISCIPLINE AND PHILOSOPHY OF HARD WORK FOR INMATES, IS PRESENTED.
Abstract
THE TEXAS PRISON SYSTEM IS CONSIDERED BY MANY TO BE THE MOST EFFICIENT IN THE COUNTRY; ITS CRITICS CALL IT DEHUMANIZING AND REPRESSIVE. IT OPERATES ON A SYSTEM OF STRICT DISCIPLINE, CLOSE SUPERVISION, AND WORK. THERE IS LITTLE ATTEMPT AT INNOVATION, OR TALK OF REHABILITATION OR REINTEGRATION OF OFFENDERS. TEXAS OFFICIALS ASSERT THAT THEIR PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITY IS TO THE PUBLIC, NOT THE PRISONERS. THE SYSTEM IS HIGHLY CENTRALIZED. HALF OF ITS 22,000 INMATES -- THE NATION'S LARGEST PRISON POPULATION -- SERVE IN A 200-MILE CRESCENT FARMLAND NEAR HOUSTON. THERE ARE 15 PRISONS, CALLED UNITS, WITH LITTLE VARIATION IN SECURITY OR ORIENTATION FROM ONE TO THE NEXT. WORK RELEASE AND OTHER COMMUNITY PROGRAMS ARE ALMOST NONEXISTENT. ESCAPES AVERAGE ABOUT 13 A YEAR. ABOUT HALF OF THE SYSTEM'S INMATES WORK ON THE 'LINE' -- HIGHLY REGIMENTED WORK SQUADS THAT DO STOOP AGRICULTURAL LABOR. ABOUT 10 PERCENT WORK IN THE SYSTEM'S 21 PRISON INDUSTRIES; 10 PERCENT WORK IN CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE JOBS; AND THE REMAINING 30 PERCENT ARE MENIAL LABORERS CONCERNED WITH THE DAILY OPERATION OF THE PRISONS. THE WORK PERFORMED BY THE INMATES CONTRIBUTES SUBSTANTIALLY TO THE UPKEEP OF THE SYSTEM, MAKING IT THE MOST ECONOMICAL PRISON IN THE COUNTRY. TEXAS PRISONS ARE CLEAN AND SAFE, AND THERE ARE FEW INMATE DISTURBANCES. THE SYSTEM'S UNIQUE ORIENTATION IS ATTRIBUTED TO ITS ADMINISTRATION BY A CONSERVATIVE BOARD OF CORRECTIONS WITH LONG-TENURED MEMBERS AND TO THE STATE'S GREAT EXPANSES OF FARMLAND. PRISON INDUSTRIES INCLUDE (BESIDES AGRICULTURE, THE MOST IMPORTANT) DATA PROCESSNG, MICROFILMING, MANUFACTURING OF DENTURES, AND REFURBISHING OF SCHOOL BUSES, AS WELL AS THE STANDARD PRODUCTION OF LICENSE PLATES. CONDITIONS IN THE PRISONS' PLANTS ARE, HOWEVER, FREQUENTLY SUBSTANDARD, AND WORKING IN THE FIELDS IS DESCRIBED BY MANY PRISONERS AS HUMILIATING AND CRUEL. (VDA)