On this International Women's Day, a group of women who've served time are demanding lawmakers pass a series of bills that would help meet the needs of the thousands of women who are locked up.
Alternatives to Incarceration
Some Texas Lawmakers Want To Make Porch Package Theft A Felony
Stealing a package off someone’s front porch could soon become a much more serious crime. Three bills in the Texas Legislature are proposing to make it a felony.
Texas Lawmakers Want Judges To Send Fewer Moms To Prison
When Mia Greer went to prison, she says she wasn’t the only one who was punished. Her kids suffered too.
Third Time’s The Charm? Marijuana Decriminalization Gets Another Chance in Texas
The first marijuana reform bill heard in committee this session would downgrade possession of an ounce to a civil offense and a fine up to $250.
New Report Explains the Link Between Homelessness and Justice System Involvement
The Texas Criminal Justice Coalition released the final report in its "One Size Fails All" report series. The report, Return to Nowhwere: The Revolving Door Between Incarceration and Homelessness, examines the undeniable link between homelessness and criminal justice system involvement, and the factors that contribute to both. It offers recommendations to end the chronic pattern that wastes lives and squanders resources that could be better used to address the factors leading to homelessness.
Harris County Leaders Vote Against District Attorney’s $20 Million Budget Request To Hire More Prosecutors
The Harris County Commissioners Court voted Tuesday against District Attorney Kim Ogg’s request for a $20 million budget increase to hire more prosecutors.
Harris County DA Says Her Request For More Prosecutors Has Been Politicized
Criminal Justice reform groups have criticized Kim Ogg’s request to hire 102 new lawyers. They argue more people will be jailed, but the DA says her office needs more staff to handle a backlog of cases.
Ogg’s Push To Hire More Prosecutors Stirs Backlash From Criminal Justice Reform Groups
Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg is seeking an extra $20 million to hire 102 prosecutors, in order to relieve a backlog that has built up since Harvey.
Community Advocacy Group Opposes Harris County District Attorney’s Budget Request for 102 Additional Prosecutors
TCJC joins with others to oppose Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg’s budget request to fund 102 new prosecutors. TCJC urges county officials to further examine the request for more funding.
Human lives were not of value
Bill Mills experienced firsthand the cruel conditions of Sugar Land’s notorious Imperial Prison Farm. Back in 1910, he became a part of the Texas prison system shortly after his 17th birthday when he was arrested for horse theft. And though he went on to serve multiple prison terms in Texas, Oklahoma and Georgia, it was his time at Imperial Prison Farm that remained etched in his memory.