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Texas Prison and Jails
There are 738,000 adults under supervision (prisons, jails, probation, and parole) and the rate of supervision (number of offenders supervised per 100,000) is 34.87% higher than the national average. Currently, 106 prison units and state jail facilities comprise the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ). Additionally,Texas has 254 counties and 268 jail facilities with a combined rated capacity of 71,962.
Texas has a rate 41% higher than than the national average of incarcerated adults per 100,000.
The ACLU of Texas monitors prison and jail conditions and fights to open the prison system to public scrutiny. The ACLU of Texas accepts cases with significant civil liberties issues where participation by the ACLU of Texas will benefit a large class of people, or will lead to a change in the law concerning the issue. Very few cases are accepted for direct litigation.
ACLU of Texas' Current Issue Areas Include:
Contact the ACLU At:
ACLU of Texas
P.O. Box 12905
Austin, TX 78711-2905
Further Reading:
Private Prisons
Sexual Assault
Health Care
Prison Labor
Landmark Settlement Announced in Federal Lawsuit Challenging Conditions at Immigrant Detention Center in Texas
The American Civil Liberties Union today announced a landmark settlement with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) that greatly improves conditions for immigrant children and their families inside the T. Don Hutto detention center in Taylor, Texas. Read More...
Se Anunci
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ACLU Applauds Passage of Prison Rape Elimination Bill
House Bill 1944, which focuses on eliminating sexual assault in Texas Prisons, passed the Texas Senate yesterday. Read More...
Major legislative proposals moving toward finish line
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Commission lifts order against Harris County jails
Inspectors say system is meeting staffing standards, but funding for OT is almost half-spent Read More...
ACLU Applauds Passage of Prison Rape Elimination Bill
ACLU Applauds Passage of Prison Rape Elimination Bill
House Bill 1944, which focuses on eliminating sexual assault in Texas Prisons, passed the Texas House of Representatives unanimously. The bill garnered support from the American Civil Liberties Union of Texas (ACLU), Texas Association Against Sexual Assault (TAASA), Stop Prison Rape, and the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME).
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ACLU Applauds Passage of Prison Rape Elimination Bill
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ACLU Releases Report on Texas Prison Population
The American Civil Liberties Union of Texas (ACLU) released a report today that compares Texas to New York, a large state that had comparable sentencing practices and has since implemented sentencing policy changes successfully. Read More...
ACLU to Testify in Federal Commission Hearings
Two members of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) staff will testify at the National Prison Rape Elimination Commission Read More...
Senate Committee to Review Scandal-Ridden Texas Youth Commission
On Tuesday Feb. 27, 2007, the Senate Criminal Justice Committee will hear testimony regarding sexual assault and other abuse in the Texas Youth Commission. The Committee will consider SB 103, a bill by Senator Juan Hinojosa (D-McAllen) which would increase oversight and enhance the safety of the TYC facilities. Read More...
Texans United for Families and the ACLU of Texas Applaud the Release of Pregnant Asylum Applicant from Hutto Facility
Texans United for Families ( Read More...
Texas Legislators tackle prison reform
Commission suggests more appropriations for beds, facilities Read More...
Church holds forum to discuss upcoming prison reform
Ex-offenders speak out to what the real problems are Read More...
FROM THE LIBERTY BLOG:
Roe v. Wade: Access to Reproductive Health Care for Texas Prisoners
"In recognition of the Roe v..."
Sunset panel urges ethics rules for parole commissioners
Report recommends more independence from Texas Department of Criminal Justice Read More...
A life spent facing death
Posted on Sun, Jan. 14, 2007 Read More...
Sunset Commission: Support Alternatives to Incarceration
Taxpayers will spend more than $1 billion in bond principle and interest if TDCJ's proposals to add new prison beds succeed. Read More...
HB 312 and HB 337: Strengthen Community Supervision
Bills will make probation stronger and ease the capacity crisis. Read More...
Prison revamp long on rehab, short on new cells
Plan omits 3 new buildings officials want for crowded system Read More...
Experts: Mentally ill criminals need therapy, not jail
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Incarceration Nation
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FROM THE LIBERTY BLOG:
Juneteenth: Reflecting on Criminal Justice Policies and African Americans
"On June 19, 1865, word that the Emancipation Proclamation terminated
slavery finally reached Texas..."
FROM THE LIBERTY BLOG:
Health Crisis in the Bexar County Jail
"By Nicole D..."
Jailhouse Blue
Why U.S. jails and prisons do not work. Read More...
FROM THE LIBERTY BLOG:
Racial Disparity and TDCJ
"At the House Corrections Committee meeting on March 22nd, law makers seemed pleased that African Americans only comprised about 40% of the state's prison population..."
Prison overcrowding back on agenda
Advocates and officials urge legilators to examine TDCJ's capacity Read More...
Feds may take on juvenile prison predicament
TYC asked the U.S. Department of Justice for help. Read More...
Elected officials express concern over TYC abuse
Elected officials are vowing to investigate a sharp increase of abuses confirmed in Texas Read More...
Trouble at Evins
Edinburg facility remains under cloud of 2004 abuses, despite improvements Read More...
Little boys, big time
Abuse on the rise in Texas juvenile prisons
Agency says turnover, inadequate training is to blame Read More...
Officials, advocacy groups call for probation reform
Legislators urged to look at probation in an effort to fix crowding Read More...
First stop in youth prison system is most abusive, records show
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Guards on the defensive
Juvenile prison officers say they are victims in rising vio-lence Read More...
Request Legal Assistance
Report a civil rights violation or request assistance. Read More...
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