The Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Administrator Liz Ryan discusses sentencing reform during an event hosted by the Sentencing Project.
Juvenile Justice Advocates on Sentencing Reform
Youth Justice
'From Prison to Power' event in Austin helps people who were previously incarcerated
Several organizations held an event Saturday in Austin to provide information and resources to people who've been previously incarcerated.
Formerly incarcerated Texans share stories at 'From Prison to Power' event
The event follows a series of community gatherings that have taken place in Texas cities, the most recent being in Dallas. Key organizer for the event and Texas Center for Justice and Equity's Peer Policy Fellow Maggie Luna has all the details.
Reports of Youth Crime Wave Debunked by Latest Research
New research by The Sentencing Project shows a drop in youth crime over the past 20 years, which debunks a so-called "false narrative" of a youth violence movement sweeping the country. Sarah Reyes, policy analyst at the Texas Center for Justice and Equity, said there is little data since the pandemic started, but she suspects the drop in crime, at least in Texas, was an anomaly because kids were isolated due to COVID-19.
This neighborhood attorney has a heart for kids caught up in the criminal justice system
“They did the crime,” it has been said, “they do the time.” In this case, “they” are incarcerated or previously incarcerated women, specifically mothers either expecting a baby or with one or more children. And while the mothers have colored outside the lines enough to warrant imprisonment, their children have not.
New Report Explores Intersections of Incarceration and Motherhood
A report released today by the Texas Center for Justice and Equity (TCJE) highlights the experiences of mothers in Texas prisons and jails. “Motherhood and Pregnancy Behind Bars: Texas Must Rethink How It’s Treating Mothers and Families” urges leaders to protect the lives and dignity of currently incarcerated women while taking real, viable steps to keep people out of the criminal legal system altogether.
Texas takes $30 million from troubled juvenile justice department to fund border initiative Operation Lone Star
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott is now paying for his controversial border mission Operation Lone Star with money from the state’s cash-strapped Texas Juvenile Justice Department. About $31 million of the nearly half billion dollars he raked from a half dozen state agencies earlier this month to fund national guard troops on the southern border came from the state’s juvenile justice fund.
Texas juvenile justice leader departs with state agency at critical juncture
After four years at the helm of the beleaguered state agency, executive director Camille Cain’s departure comes at a pivotal time. Cain leaves TJJD while it faces critically low staffing levels and is being audited by the state’s Sunset Advisory Commission.