Pete Earley thought he knew a thing or two about mental health and criminal justice after working for a couple of decades as a journalist. But when his mentally ill son was arrested for breaking and entering, Earley discovered he still had much to learn. After struggling to find treatment for his son's bipolar disorder, Earley immersed himself in the … [Read more...] about Criminalizing the Mentally Ill
Jails
Bell County Justice Complex
In mid-May, North & East Texas conference attendees were invited to tour the Bell County Justice Complex, comprised of the Bell County Justice Center (Phases I & II), Bell County Jail, and Bell County Multi-Use Facility. Phase I of the 184,900-square-foot Justice Center, funded by $23.4 million in … [Read more...] about Bell County Justice Complex
TCJS May Meeting Recap
By Burnet County Judge Donna Klaeger, Chairman In the regular quarterly meeting of the Texas Commission on Jail Standards (TCJS) conducted in Austin on May 6, Commissioners reviewed changes to the standards that had been recommended by the Sunset Advisory Committee, Senate Bill 1009. These included addressing the process regarding complaints against not only jails under the … [Read more...] about TCJS May Meeting Recap
Jim Hogg County to Construct New Jail
Officials Receive $5 Million in Federal Funds Jim Hogg County officials received some $5.2 million in federal funding in early February for the construction of a 48-bed jail in Hebbronville. The funding package includes $3,949,000 in federal grant funding and $1,317,000 in a loan from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development Assistance Funds Program. … [Read more...] about Jim Hogg County to Construct New Jail
TCJS February Meeting Recap
The Texas Commission on Jail Standards received updates from five counties at its regular quarterly meeting conducted last month in Austin, addressing the resolution of their non-compliance issues. Dallas County Commissioner John Wiley Price informed Commission members that a rising inmate population was creating delays in their efforts to repair the smoke and fume removal … [Read more...] about TCJS February Meeting Recap