Violence Behind Bars and a Tie to Mental Illness
A Tribune analysis of violent-incident data in state prisons shows that far more violent incidents occur at facilities with large populations of mentally ill inmates. Full Story
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![Major Michael Gruver in recreation area of Clements Unit (r) and a Guard tower near front gate of Clements Unit, Texas Department of Corrections (l).]()
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Interactive: Psychiatric Prisons See More Violence
Data from the Texas criminal justice system shows that psychiatric prison units experience the most violence per capita. Use this interactive to examine the violent incidents reported at more than 90 Texas prisons between 2006 and 2012. Full Story
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New Immigration Bill Filed; 2 Texas Lawmakers Leave Talks
As the co-chairmen of the Congressional Border Caucus introduced an omnibus immigration bill Friday, two Texas congressmen left a House group working on immigration after saying they could no longer trust the president. Full Story
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![An estimated 25,000 demonstrators attended a rally in Dallas to advocate for comprehensive immigration reform on May 1, 2010.]()
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Cornyn: Time Left to Fix Specific Flaws in Immigration Laws
U.S. Sen. John Cornyn on Wednesday said that even without a comprehensive overhaul to the country's immigration system, the federal government should address a problem that led to the release of more than 2,800 sex offenders from federal custody. Full Story
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Bar Association: Death Penalty System Falls Short
Despite recent improvements that aim to prevent wrongful convictions, an American Bar Association report released Wednesday says much work remains to ensure fairness in the application of the death penalty in Texas. Full Story
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In Texas, Fight Over Water Spills Underground
A recent court ruling in Texas has fueled an already fiery debate over whether groundwater resources can be adequately protected alongside property rights and economic development. Full Story
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![Glenn and JoLynn Bragg invested in growing pecans in Hondo, Texas, before groundwater pumping regulations existed there. A recent landmark court decision found that the regulations resulted in a violation of their property rights.]()
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DPS Expands Surcharge Relief for the Poor
A new incentive program will allow some low-income drivers to pay reduced surcharges under the Driver Responsibility Program. Thousands of Texans' licenses have been suspended as a result of the controversial program. Full Story
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Court: Inmate Can't Be Forcibly Medicated Ahead of Execution
In a ruling issued Wednesday, the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals declared that Steven Staley, a mentally ill death row inmate, cannot be forcibly medicated for the purpose of making him competent for execution. Full Story
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Perry: Hecht Will Replace Jefferson as Chief Justice
UPDATED: Justice Nathan Hecht will replace Wallace Jefferson chief justice of the Texas Supreme Court, Gov. Rick Perry said Tuesday. He'll be up for election next year. Full Story
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Battery Thefts Plague Texas Oil and Gas Drillers
In Texas oilfields, thieves are targeting batteries that power pipeline monitors, saddling drillers with big replacement costs and stalling production. Some fear the temptation to steal will only swell as production expands. Full Story
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![Decommissioned equipment sits in Conroe oilfield in Montgomery County.]()
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New Law Gives New Hope to Death Row Inmate
Convicted of stomping a 19-month-old baby to death, Robert Avila faces execution in January. Under a law passed this year, Avila hopes to bring to court new scientific evidence that may show the death could have been a tragic accident. Full Story
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State's High Court to Examine Smuggling Case
The Texas Supreme Court could rule this month in a case that that is likely to weigh in on the rights of private-property owners whose lands are traversed by undocumented immigrants. Full Story
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Emotions Run High at El Paso Forum on Syria
At an El Paso town hall organized to gauge public input on Syria, some residents said Tuesday that it was in the United States' interest to act though more information was needed. But most who spoke were opposed to any intervention. Full Story
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![U.S. Rep. Beto O'Rourke, D-El Paso, spoke Tuesday, Sept. 3, during an El Paso town hall forum on whether the U.S. should take action against Syria.]()
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State Bar, Anderson Attorneys Make Case to Judge
Parties in a disciplinary case against the prosecutor who pursued Michael Morton’s since-overturned murder conviction will have to wait another week for a decision on whether they will go to trial. Full Story
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Skinner's Lawyer, AG Disagree Over DNA Results
Lawyers for Hank Skinner say new DNA tests show someone else likely committed the crime for which he was convicted and sentenced to death. But state prosecutors argue the tests show even more links between Skinner and the three victims. Full Story
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TribuneFest: Mental Health and Criminal Justice
At the Trib's August 19 symposium on mental health at the University of Texas at San Antonio, Brandi Grissom talked about the intersection of mental health and criminal justice with a distinguished panel. Full Story
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School Officers Can No Longer Issue On-Campus Misdemeanor Citations
Offenses like using profanity and fighting have led some Texas public school students to the courtroom. Under a new law, school police officers will not be allowed to charge students for such offenses. This story is part of our 31 Days, 31 Ways series. Full Story
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Law Enforcement Can Sell Confiscated Guns
For decades, weapons confiscated by Texas police were supposed to be repurposed for law enforcement use or destroyed. Starting next month, some will be available for purchase. This story is part of our 31 Days, 31 Ways series. Full Story
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![Evidence Specialist, Richard Castro, shows a firearm held as evidence by APD. The Austin Police Department’s evidence and seized property storage facility contains thousands of firearms from handguns to assault rifles dating back as far as the 1970s.]()
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U.S. DOJ Again Seeks to Stop Texas Voter ID, Redistricting Maps
The U.S. Department of Justice will once again seek to stop Texas’ voter ID law, this time in a lawsuit alleging the measure violates Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act. It will also challenge state redistricting maps. Full Story
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![U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder speaking at the University of Texas LBJ Presidential Library on Dec. 13, 2011.]()
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News App: Prisoner Database Updated
The Texas Tribune's prison inmates database, containing more than 147,000 offenders who have committed roughly 440,000 combined crimes, is now updated with the latest data available from the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. Full Story
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Credit: Graphic by Todd Wiseman
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