TCJE in the News


Press Contact: For all media inquiries, please contact Madison Kaigh, Communications Manager, at mkaigh@TexasCJE.orgor (512) 441-8123, ext. 108.


 

Texas Center for Justice and Equity & Texas Women’s Justice Coalition to Mark International Women’s Day

Today, the Texas Center for Justice and Equity (TCJE) and the Texas Women’s Justice Coalition, which was co-founded by TCJE, will mark International Women’s Day by highlighting the unique challenges faced by women in the criminal legal system.

Read the rest of this press release here.

Republicans Barineau and DeAyala Head to Runoff to Replace Jim Murphy in Texas House

Republicans Shelley Barineau and Mano DeAyala have emerged as the top two vote takers in a 5-way primary race to replace retiring Rep. Jim Murphy (R-Houston) of state House District (HD) 133. The two will face off in a runoff election in May.

Read the rest of this article from The Texan.

Abilene Expunction Clinic to Provide Legal Assistance for Texans Seeking to Clear Criminal Records

On April 29, members of the Clean Slate Texas coalition will host an expunction clinic to help community members clear eligible Texas criminal records through expunction and/or nondisclosure.

Read the rest of this press release here.

Criminal Justice Candidate Forum for Travis County Commissioners Court

This week, local justice advocacy groups will host a virtual candidate forum for the Travis County Commissioners Court election. Participating will be candidates for Precinct 2 Commissioner Bob Libal and Brigid Shea (incumbent), and candidates for Precinct 4 Commissioner Margaret Gómez (incumbent) and Susanna Ledesma-Woody.

Read the rest of this press release here.

Plastic Surgery Has a Troubled History Inside Prisons. Some Advocates Want It to Make a Comeback.

Starting in 2017, Thai media published a series of articles on the country’s growing class of “new poor people,” former incarcerees who were finding it almost impossible to get hired and often returning to prison as a result. 

Read the rest of this article from Mother Jones.

Clear Your Criminal History at Abilene's Expunction Clinic in April

Abilene attorneys Blizzard and Zimmerman are co-sponsoring the first "Reentry Coalition Expunction Clinic in Abilene." This event is Friday, April 29, 2022, from 9 am until 4 pm. There will be two sessions that day one is in the morning and the second in the afternoon.

Read the rest of this article from KEAN Radio.

Kids of color are disproportionately punished in the Harris County juvenile justice system, a study shows

The Harris County juvenile justice system disproportionately punishes a small group of Black and brown kids more harshly than others, according to a study from Rice University Texas Policy Lab. Of the 42,000 kids who came into contact with the Harris County juvenile justice system between 2010 and 2019, most had only one interaction, according to the study. 

Read the rest of this article from Houston Public Media.

Press Advisory: Houston Event Will Highlight System-Impacted Leaders, Build Community for Formerly Incarcerated Locals

On January 29, a group of formerly incarcerated and justice system-impacted Texans will convene in Houston. The event, “From Prison to Power: Finding Your Voice After Incarceration,” is organized by the Texas Center for Justice and Equity’s Statewide Leadership Council (SLC) and partners.

Read the rest of this press advisory here.

These middle-aged Texans committed crimes as young teenagers. Should they get a second chance?

For years, Demetrius Johnson, now 54, spent his days imagining what his life could have been if he had made different decisions at the age of 16. He describes it as if it actually happened to an alternate version of himself: A Demetrius Johnson who got a job at 18 and took care of his family. Who bought a two-bedroom house next door to his aunt, where he lived with his mother, his son and his son’s mother. Whose aunt helped turn the garage into an extra bedroom.

Read the rest of this article from the Houston Chronicle.

Illinois women’s prison offers a new chance at a degree

Prison education programs across the country have long overlooked incarcerated women, offering fewer courses and degree options. Northwestern University is hoping to change that. Last spring, the university expanded its three-year-old prison education program to include incarcerated women.

Read the rest of this article from 19th News.