NCJ Number
44533
Date Published
1977
Length
74 pages
Annotation
THIS REPORT DESCRIBES THE STRUCTURE OF THE TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS, ITS EVOLUTION, AND IMPROVEMENTS MADE DURING THE PERIOD FROM 1947 TO 1977.
Abstract
UNTIL 1947, TEXAS HAD ONE OF THE NATION'S POOREST PRISON SYSTEMS. POOR LIVING CONDITIONS, BRUTALITY TOWARD THE PRISONERS, AND ABSENCE OF ANY TREATMENT PROGRAMS WERE AMONG THE MANY PROBLEMS. SEVERAL ANECDOTES FROM THE TIME RELATED BY EMPLOYEES AND INMATES REFLECT THESE CONDITIONS AND THE ATTITUDES OF BOTH GROUPS. IN 1947, REFORMS WERE INITIATED, AND A GREAT DEAL OF PROGRESS HAS BEEN MADE SINCE THAT TIME. A CHRONOLOGY OF IMPORTANT EVENTS AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF THE THIRTY-YEAR PERIOD INCLUDES INITIATION OF THE USE OF TWO-WAY RADIO FOR EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS, BEGINNING OF THE ALCOHOLISM PROGRAM, AND CONSTRUCTION OF NEW PRISON UNITS. EACH OF THE EXISTING CORRECTIONAL UNITS, THEIR LOCATION, POPULATION, AND INDUSTRIES, ARE BRIEFLY DESCRIBED. EACH DIVISION OF THE TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS IS DISCUSSED: ITS FUNCTION, PROGRAMS, EXPANSION DURING THE 30 YEARS, AND OUTPUT DATA. THE AGRICULTURE DIVISION PROVIDES FOOD FOR ALL INMATES AND EMPLOYEES OF THE DEPARTMENT; BUSINESS IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ACCOUNTABILITY OF FUNDS; CONSTRUCTION BUILDS, RENOVATES, AND MAINTAINS PHYSICAL FACILITIES; INDUSTRY TRAINS INMATES IN OCCUPATIONAL SKILLS AND FURNISHES PRODUCTS TO VARIOUS OTHER STATE AGENCIES; SPECIAL SERVICES DEALS WITH CLASSIFICATION, RECORDS, IDENTIFICATION, PERSONNEL TRAINING, AND DATA PROCESSING; TREATMENT PROVIDES SERVICES IN THE AREAS OF EDUCATION, RECREATION, RELIGION, AND HEALTH CARE; AND THE EXECUTIVE DIVISION IS CONCERNED WITH ADMINISTRATION AND PUBLIC EDUCATION. FINALLY, PROJECTIONS FOR THE FUTURE DEVELOPMENT OF THE TEXAS PRISON SYSTEM ARE PRESENTED.