Interim Charges Focus on Corrections Funding

This week, Speaker of the House Tom Craddick (R-Midland) released the interim charges for several House Committees including Appropriations and Corrections. These charges have implications for public and private capacity in the state's prison system.

During the 80th Legislative Session a significant amount of funding was appropriated to corrections that not only included building 3 new prisons but also monies for substance abuse treatment and community alternative programs. At this time the interim charges that have been released include:

1. Monitor and examine the implementation of funding appropriated during the 80th Legislature to the Texas Youth Commission, Juvenile Probation Commission, Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ), and Correctional Managed Health are Committee.
2. Assess the relationship between mental illness and criminal behavior and offer reforms needed to address the proliferation of mental illness in the adult and juvenile criminal justice systems. This review should include an examination of data sharing between criminal justice and health and human services agencies, proper screening, assessments, treatment, discharge planning, post-release supervision, and community services.
3. Review and research the availability, coordination, efficiency, and allocation of substance abuse treatment resources for probationers, pretrial defendants, people in the custody of the TDCJ, and parolees. This review should include methods to reduce and improve current assessments, training, and referring protocols and the identification of any barriers that may be impeding all of the above.
4. Consider new strategies for meeting prisoner reentry challenges in Texas, including the evaluation of programs with documented success. This review should include the availability of housing and occupational barriers.
5. Provide a comprehensive analysis and study of the Texas state jail system, including original intent for use, sentencing guidelines, and effectiveness. Develop suggestions for changes and improvements in the state jail system.
6. Study policies and procedures related to illegal immigration and border security of the TDCJ, county probation departments, and local and county jail facilities, and make recommendations to improve coordination with international, federal, state, and local authorities.

We anxiously await to hear what other committees will be asked to review over the Interim in the House and the Senate. At a recent Senate Criminal Justice Committee hearing, Senator Juan "Chuy" Hinojosa asked for the committee's interim charges to address private prisons.

We will continue to monitor these developments and post information about Legislative committees that consider these issues.

Previous coverage of the 80th Legislature:

1. TX Voters Approve Prison Expansion
2. More Prison Beds on the Way
3. Legislative Update
4. 80th Legislative Session: Mixed Results on Private Prisons