|
[P]ublic dissatisfaction with our current criminal
justice system, the enormous costs associated with incarceration .... the integration of restorative justice
practices ... can benefit offenders, victims, and taxpayers." Texas Public Policy Foundation (9/05)
"[T]hrowing prisoners convicted of minor drug offenses into the county jail
is bad justice.... Activist judges [in Harris County], ignoring the conservative mantra that judges should
follow the law, decided on their own to thwart the intent of Texas lawmakers." Houston Chronicle Editorial (8/23/05)
Dallas County probation "lost track last
year of more than 10,000 people ... roughly a quarter of all people who were on probation in 2004."
Dallas Morning News (8/7/05)
"FIX THE PROBATION SYSTEM
.... Rick Perry vetoed the bill. The Legislature should pass it again at its
first opportunity." Texas Monthly (8/05)
Senator Whitmire honored as
a Best Legislator of 2005 for stopping bills that lengthened prison sentences! Texas Monthly (7/05)
"Texas would be safer if we fixed our probation system" Op-ed
by Chairman Madden, Chairman Allen, Rep. Haggerty and Speaker Pro Tem Turner. Austin American Statesman (5/25/05)
"There is a possibility that the drug task forces will disappear,"
said Thomas Kerss, president of the Sheriffs' Association of Texas. Houston Chronicle (5/15/05)
Drug courts more useful than drug task forces: Comal County’s district
attorney and one of its district judges agreed that the “war on drugs” is not working ....
"We may be at the point where it’s time to consider a drug court in Comal County.” New Braunfels Herald-Zeitung (5/15/05)
Drug task forces: "The Bush administration,
to its credit, has nearly zeroed-out the $600 million program in its current budget .... the Texas House voted to abolish
the state's ... task forces." Waco Tribune Editorial (5/13/05)
"Sen. John Whitmire of Houston and Rep. Jerry Madden of Richardson ... have unveiled
a legislative package that is a common-sense alternative to merely continuing
to pack the state's prisons with inmates." Corpus Christi Caller-Times Editorial (5/2/05)
"[P]rosecutors ... should have told each other about the bogus evidence
turning up in their individual cases ... but they didn't, which allowed people to stay behind bars longer."
Fort Worth Star-Telegram (5/10/05)
"These are positive changes that need to be made." - House Corrections Chairman
Jerry Madden. "My hope is these changes will make the probation system more effective." - Senate Criminal Justice member
Senator Kel Seliger. Austin American Statesman (5/1/05)
Bringing justice to Hearne: It is unclear how much the two counties
that comprised the task force, Limestone and Robertson, would have to pay in damages if the defense loses the ACLU lawsuit.
Texas Observer (4/29/05)
"RIP: Harris County drug task force....It is time for the state to shift federal
grant funds to other, more productive strategies." Houston Chronicle (4/23/05)
Probation must evolve from a revolving doorway to prison into a gateway to responsibility,
restitution and rehabilitation - Texas Public Policy Foundation op-ed. Amarillo Globe News (4/22/05)
"Bush drug czar John Walters stressed
the need to focus on major drug traffickers instead of individual users." Chicago Tribune (4/17/05)
Dean Whitmire "vows to block
expensive bills he considers of marginal value to public safety. Block away, senator....
low-level drug offenders ... need not compete with hardened criminals for space behind bars." Dallas Morning News Editorial Board (4/6/05)
Report details Harris County's adult probation system's flaws
that keep the agency from being effective Houston Chronicle (4/2/05)
Increasing criminal penalties will cost Texas taxpayers millions and
million of dollars 1000 beds cost at least $85 million to construct and $20 million/year to operate.
Austin American Statesman (3/27/05)
Texas prison safety could be compromised
by lack of overtime pay for Texas prison guards and over 2500 vacancies. Houston Chronicle (3/26/05)
Gov. Rick Perry labeled new
prisons last on his list of justice priorities. "There are better, more
efficient ways to deal with this prison population than going and building more prisons."
Probationers don't stand a chance of success: Put checks on judges to reform
unfair system! Overly punitive probation policies causing the incarceration of thousands of nonviolent
criminals for minor infractions . . . . Houston Chronicle (3/19/05)
Probation with motivation
"If we can ... encourag[e] other counties to replicate the success in Fort Bend, the people of Texas will be saved millions
and millions and millions of dollars," said Chairman Turner, chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Criminal
Justice. Austin American Statesman (3/6/05)
LBB Projections "Interviewees recommended removing low-level substance abusers from the state jail and prison
system. Among the items suggested were additional sentencing alternatives for substance abusers and limitations placed on
who could be sent to state jail or prison for continued substance use." (1/19/05)
Lawmakers may disband task forces According to House committee: "The current approach violates
practically every sound principle of police oversight and accountability applicable to narcotics interdiction." (1/14/05)
Texas Senate Criminal Justice Committee Interim Report recommends
enacting policies that reduce recidivism (12/1/04):
* strengthen probation programs
* address growing probation revocations
* reduce inmates who are non-citizen,
geriatric or medically incapacitated
* expand drug courts
* use parole guidelines
RSS Feed
|
