TCJE Press Releases

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

 

Statement Regarding Governor Abbott Suspending Jail Release for Texans

Statement Regarding Governor Abbott Suspending Jail Release for Texans

In response to an executive order issued by Governor Greg Abbott, the Texas Criminal Justice Coalition released the following statement: “Contrary to the advice of public health experts, legal experts, and sheriffs across the country, Texas Governor Greg Abbott issued an executive order on Sunday that suspends basic constitutional protections for people detained in county jail and puts thousands of people – many of whom have chronic illness – at grave risk of contracting COVID-19."

Read the rest of this article from Dallas Weekly.

TCJC Releases Urgent Statement Regarding Texas Governor Greg Abbott’s Executive Order 
Suspending Jail Release for Thousands of Texans

TCJC Releases Urgent Statement Regarding Texas Governor Greg Abbott’s Executive Order 
Suspending Jail Release for Thousands of Texans

Contrary to the advice of public health experts, legal experts, and sheriffs across the country, Texas Governor Greg Abbott issued an executive order on Sunday that suspends basic constitutional protections for people detained in county jail and puts thousands of people – many of whom have chronic illness – at grave risk of contracting COVID-19.

Read the rest of this press release here.

COVID-19: Texas Advocates, Community Leaders, and Justice System Experts Send List of Urgent Mitigation Directives to Governor’s Office

COVID-19: Texas Advocates, Community Leaders, and Justice System Experts Send List of Urgent Mitigation Directives to Governor’s Office

Today, a group of advocates, community leaders, and justice system experts sent a list of urgent recommendations regarding COVID-19 and incarcerated populations to Governor Abbott. Urging state leadership to recognize the particularly dire threat that the global pandemic poses to people incarcerated in prisons, jails, and juvenile facilities, the letter lays out recommendations for the Texas Department of Criminal Justice and the Board of Pardons and Paroles, the Texas Commission on Jail Standards, county jails (including sheriffs, courts, and district attorneys), law enforcement, and the Texas Juvenile Justice Department.

Read the rest of this press release here.

New Report Shares Lessons Learned and Policy Priorities for the Future of Women’s Justice in Texas

New Report Shares Lessons Learned and Policy Priorities for the Future of Women’s Justice in Texas

Yesterday, the Texas Criminal Justice Coalition (TCJC) released a new report sharing the future policy priorities of the Texas Women’s Justice Coalition. The report, called “The Future of Dignity: Insights from the Texas Women’s Dignity Retreat,” is the result of a wide-ranging policy discussion led by many of the women who pushed for eight new women’s justice bills to become law during the 2019 Texas legislative session.

Read the rest of this press release here.

Report: Travis County drug possession arrests disproportionately harm Black residents

Report: Travis County drug possession arrests disproportionately harm Black residents

Today, researchers from four Texas-based organizations released their full review of 2,900 drug possession arrests in Travis County from June 2017 to May 2018. The data used to create their final report reveals troubling police practices that harm communities, exacerbate racial disparities in arrests and jail detention, and fail to address the underlying needs of people who use drugs.

Read the rest of this press release here.

ICYMI: Texas Criminal Justice Coalition Releases Comprehensive Report on Restorative Justice, School Discipline in Texas

ICYMI: Texas Criminal Justice Coalition Releases Comprehensive Report on Restorative Justice, School Discipline in Texas

Yesterday, the Texas Criminal Justice Coalition (TCJC) released a landmark report on restorative justice and school discipline in Texas. “Reversing the Pipeline to Prison in Texas: How to Ensure Safe Schools AND Safe Students” was released in conjunction with a student-led conversation on school discipline in San Antonio.

Read the rest of this press release here.

Key findings from upcoming report reveal Travis County drug possession arrests disproportionately harm Black residents

Key findings from upcoming report reveal Travis County drug possession arrests disproportionately harm Black residents

A review of 2,900 drug possession arrests in Travis County from June 2017 to May 2018 reveals troubling police practices that harm communities, exacerbate racial disparities in arrests and jail detention, and fail to address underlying needs of people who use drugs.

Read the rest of this press release here.

NEW REPORT: Texas Criminal Justice Coalition Releases Youth Justice Report

NEW REPORT: Texas Criminal Justice Coalition Releases Youth Justice Report

Today, the Texas Criminal Justice Coalition (TCJC) released its newest report, which shares the stories of youth, families, and justice practitioners impacted by Texas’ failure to raise the age of criminal responsibility from 17 to 18. “Seventeen in the Adult Justice System,” which is available online here, comes after the fourth state legislative session in which TCJC and its allies have worked to “raise the age” to align with best practices in the 46 states where 17-year-olds are no longer automatically charged as adults.

Read the rest of this press release here.

EVENT: Texas Criminal Justice Coalition Hosts Speakers on Youth Justice

EVENT: Texas Criminal Justice Coalition Hosts Speakers on Youth Justice

Next week, the Texas Criminal Justice Coalition (TCJC) will host an event highlighting the youth, families, and justice practitioners impacted by Texas’ failure to raise the age of criminal responsibility from 17 to 18. Texas is one of four states left in the United States to “raise the age.” The event, hosted during Youth Justice Action Month, will feature people in TCJC’s newest report through a photo gallery and on-site speakers.

Read the rest of this press release here.

Texas Criminal Justice Coalition Releases Bill Analysis Guide

Texas Criminal Justice Coalition Releases Bill Analysis Guide

Last week, the Texas Criminal Justice Coalition (TCJC) released a guide to positive youth and adult justice legislation that became law in Texas in 2019. The guide, which is organized by bill area, is free and available online at the TCJC website.

Read the rest of this press release here.