Ahead of a scheduled vote by Travis County commissioners to secure design services for a new $80 million women’s jail, a coalition of grassroots groups and community leaders gathered June 7 to protest the plan and encourage alternative investments, including diversion programs. The women’s jail is a proposed project of the 2016 Travis County Master Plan, a 20-year blueprint to upgrade Travis County Jail facilities, which also includes a new central booking facility in downtown Austin.
![Community groups push back against plans for new women’s jail east of Austin](/sites/default/files/styles/blog_featured_image/public/articles/2021-08/Community%2520Impact%2520Austin%2520Travis%2520Co%2520jail%2520060821.jpeg?itok=gSQerEYr)