United States of America (The State of Texas) (From Imprisonment Today and Tomorrow: International Perspectives on Prisoners' Rights and Prison Conditions, P 673-701, 1991, Dirk van Zyl Smit and Frieder Dunkel, eds. -- See NCJ-133824)

• NCJ Number: 133845
• Author(s): R H C Teske Jr; Y Kim
• Date Published: 1991
• Length: 29 pages
• Sale Source: Kluwer Law and Taxation Publishers
• Publication Type: Legislation/Policy Analysis
• Language: English
• Country: Netherlands
• Note: *This document is currently unavailable from NCJRS.

Annotation

The prison system of Texas has experienced overcrowding and other developments in recent years that are similar to those throughout the United States, although each State and the Federal government has its own criminal laws, policies, and procedures.

Abstract

Both crime and incarceration rates have increased significantly in Texas in recent years, resulting in significant overcrowding. Both the legislature and Federal courts have imposed reforms on the correctional system and promote the increased use of probation, early release, and construction of additional prison facilities. Steps have also been taken to increase the use of contract corrections services and to develop innovative methods of pretrial release from county jails. The State currently has 28 State prisons and 254 county jails. Maximum security prisons exist throughout the prison systems. Females represented 4 percent of all inmates in August 1988 and were housed in two special units. The reforms of recent years have aimed to reduce overcrowding and comply with court orders; proposals for increased alternatives to incarceration have generally focused on relieving overcrowding rather than on rehabilitating offenders. A new comprehensive plan for the State corrections system is currently being developed. Tables and 22 references