NCJ Number
51198
Journal
Corrections Magazine Volume: 4 Issue: 3 Dated: (SEPTEMBER 1978) Pages: 23-28
Date Published
1978
Length
6 pages
Annotation
AN OVERVIEW IS GIVEN OF CHANGES IN THE TEXAS JUVENILE CORRECTIONS SYSTEM WHICH HAVE OCCURRED SINCE A LAWSUIT IN 1973 SUCCESSFULLY CHALLENGED CONDITIONS. UNLIKE THE REST OF THE UNITED STATES, TEXAS COMMITMENTS ARE RISING.
Abstract
THE LAWSUIT, MORALES V. TURMAN, RESULTED IN A BLISTERING COURT DENUNCIATION OF WIDESPREAD BRUTALITY AND MALTREATMENT IN THE TWO MAJOR TEXAS YOUTH COUNCIL INSTITUTIONS. THIS, COMBINED WITH A NEW STATE LAW FORBIDDING THE INCARCERATION OF STATUS OFFENDERS, DROPPED THE YEARLY NUMBER OF JUVENILE OFFENDERS HANDLED FROM 2,000 OR MORE TO ONLY 756 IN 1975. CHANGES INSTITUTED IN THE TEXAS JUVENILE CORRECTIONS SYSTEM ARE REVIEWED. THE NUMBER OF COMMUNITY-BASED FACILITIES HAS BEEN INCREASED; THESE NOW HANDLE 15-20 PERCENT OF OFFENDERS. A NUMBER OF PRIVATE AGENCIES ARE OPERATING NONSECURE PROGRAMS. THE OLD GATESVILLE AND MOUNAIN VIEW DETENTION FACILITIES ARE BEING CLOSED AND THE EMPHASIS IS ON SMALLER FACILITIES, OFFERING A WIDE RANGE OF VOCATIONAL AND REMEDIAL ACTIVITIES. A COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM PAYS A COUNTY $4,050 FOR EVERY POTENTIAL COMMITMENT THE COUNTY KEEPS IN THE COMMUNITY. THIS HAS REDUCED THE STATEWIDE YOUTH OFFENDER DETENTION RATE. DATA ARE ALSO GIVEN ON PRIVATELY-RUN FACILITIES FOR STATUS OFFENDERS, HALFWAY HOUSES, AND ON SPECIAL PROGRAMS SUCH AS THE WILDERNESS CAMP. THE YOUTH COUNCIL IS ALSO INSTITUTING CLOSER MONITORING OF PROGRAMS RUN BY PRIVATE AGENCIES. A SPECIAL SECTION GIVES A PROFILE OF THE GATESVILLE FACILITY, DESCRIBING ITS LAST DAYS BEFORE CLOSURE IN 1979. (GLR)