Texas County Progress

The Official Publication of the County Judges and Commissioners Association of Texas

Jails

Open Communication Key to State/County Partnership

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By Brandon Wood, Executive Director, Texas Commission on Jail Standards   For the most part, our job at the Texas Commission on Jail Standards hinges on communication – not halfhearted or insincere attempts at communicating, but real communication. Whether it is in Austin or one of the far-flung corners across this huge state, I have had the opportunity to meet … [Read more...] about Open Communication Key to State/County Partnership

Overincarceration of People with Mental Illness Part 3

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Overincarceration of People with Mental Illness: Pretrial Diversion Across the Country and the Next Steps for Texas to Improve its Efforts and Increase Utilization   Editor’s Note: The following is Part 3 in a series, “Overincarceration of People with Mental Illness,” a report released in June 2015. The full report is available at … [Read more...] about Overincarceration of People with Mental Illness Part 3

Overincarceration of Mentally Ill Inmates Part 2

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Pretrial Diversion Across the Country and the Next Steps for Texas to Improve its Efforts and Increase Utilization  Editor’s Note: The following is Part 2 in a series, “Overincarceration of People with Mental Illness,” a report released in June 2015. The full report is available at http://rightoncrime.com/2015/06/overincarceration-of-people-with-mental-illness/. Part 1 ran in … [Read more...] about Overincarceration of Mentally Ill Inmates Part 2

Special Jail Section

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TEXAS INDIGENT DEFENSE COMMISSION TIDC Awards Grant to Fund Public Defender Program in Willacy County   On Aug. 21, the Texas Indigent Defense Commission (TIDC or Commission) awarded a two year grant for $313,308 to provide funding for the Willacy County Public Defender Office (WPDO). Willacy County is currently facing a financial crisis due to the termination … [Read more...] about Special Jail Section