A new survey by the bipartisan Texas Smart-On-Crime Coalition shows a majority of Republican primary voters support criminal justice reforms in the state.
Survey: Strong Republican support for more job training at Texas prisons
Parole & Reentry
In Texas, The Number Of Women Inmates Is Growing – But Support Services Aren’t
Men comprise 91 percent of the Texas prison population, but as the number of male inmates has dropped, the female population continues to increase.
Residents, advocates, council members debate alternative homes for parolees at Houston public safety meeting
A recent report shows there are 99 of what the city of Houston considers as ‘alternative homes’ dotted around Harris County, all intended for the purpose of housing parolees.
As Houston weighs housing ordinances, criminal justice reform advocates decry buffer rule
With the Houston City Council set to vote on proposed ordinances to overhaul regulations for boarding homes and other multi-resident housing, criminal justice reform advocates objected to a proposed 1,000 foot buffer zone for “alternative housing facilities,” saying it would make it harder to provide re-entry services.
Texas' murder rate went up again last year, remains relatively low
Violent crimes — including murder — jumped up again last year in Texas and across the nation, according to new FBI data. It's the second year violent crime has increased from record low levels in 2014.
Overall Crime Rates Down in Texas According to 2016 National Crime Report Released Today
The FBI released its 2016 Crime in the United States report today and, although there are pockets of increased crime, the data indicates that Texas crime rates have dropped statewide.
[2017 Session] Restore Voting Rights to People on Parole and/or Community Supervision After Ten Years
Policy Background:
After someone receives a felony offense in Texas, voting rights cannot be restored until he or she has fully completed parole and/or community supervision, a process that can take decades.
Two Smiths, one quest
Doug Smith and Reggie Smith didn’t have much in common until they both went to prison. They are now deeply involved in a movement of formerly incarcerated individuals advocating for criminal justice reform.
Study finds Harris County leads nation in exonerations
A new study has found that Harris County leads the country in exonerations, turning loose 48 people in 2016 alone. That's because its crime labs take an added precaution most others don't: testing the materials seized from drug defendants even after they enter guilty pleas.
Coalition wants minors out of adult prisons
A broad-based coalition that includes the Texas Baptist Christian Life Commission insists tough-on-crime Texas should get smart on crime by raising the age of juvenile jurisdiction from 17 to 18. Texas is one of only seven states where 17-year-old offenders are treated as adults.