Video: Texas Closes Two Privately Run Jails
For only the second time in the state’s history, Texas lawmakers are closing inmate facilities to reduce bed capacity as the state’s prison population continues to drop. Full Story
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Complaint: Legislator Illegally Released Inmate's Disciplinary Record
The Travis County district attorney’s office’s Public Integrity Unit is reviewing evidence that suggests a state lawmaker illegally released an inmate’s disciplinary file to a victims’ rights advocate in an effort to prevent a high-profile convicted murderer’s release from prison. Full Story
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![Jon Buice has served more than 20 years in prison after pleading guilty to the 1991 murder of 27-year-old Paul Broussard. His lawyer alleges that an unknown lawmaker obtained confidential disciplinary records and shared them with advocates for Broussard’s family in 2011 when the inmate was denied parole.]()
Credit: Graphic by Todd Wiseman / Guillermo Esteves / Neil Conway -
Proxy Marriage Limits End Inmate Weddings
A new constraint on proxy marriage in Texas — a measure intended to prevent fraud — will have a secondary effect: It will end prison inmates' ability to tie the knot. This story is part of our month-long 31 Days, 31 Ways series. Full Story
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Money for DPS to Help With Backlog of Rape Kits
Thousands of untested rape kits are likely to get processed for DNA evidence after state budget writers included $11 million for the effort in the 2014-15 budget. This story is part of our monthlong 31 Days, 31 Ways series. Full Story
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![Pictured is a sexual assault evidence collection kit used by law enforcement throughout Texas.]()
Credit: Todd Wiseman -
In Two Cities, Opposite Reactions to Jail Closure
The decision by legislators this year to close two privately run jails operated by the Corrections Corporation of America is being met with very different reactions in the communities where the jails are situated. Full Story
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![Male detainees work to fix a cell door inside of the Dawson State Jail in Dallas on Jul. 31, 2013. The Texas Department of Criminal Justice decided not to renew its contract with the Corrections Corporation of America for the Dawson State Jail after the state legislature struck 97 million dollars from its funding. The unit will begin relocating its offenders on Aug. 1, 2013, and expects to have all offenders relocated by the end of the month.]()
Credit: Brandon Thibodeaux -
On the Records: Prisoner Database Back Online
Today, we relaunch one of our most popular news applications: our database of all Texas state prison inmates, which we had pulled down to address inconsistencies in the state's record-keeping. Full Story
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Credit: Graphic by Todd Wiseman -
Texas Prison Inmates database
Use this application to explore Texas' numerous prison units, and learn more about the 147,000 inmates housed inside them. Full Story
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Credit: Graphic by Todd Wiseman -
Study Links Prison Reform Cost to Decreased Welfare Funds
A recent study of states that implemented court-ordered prison reforms indicates that the cost of updating the lock-ups may cause lasting welfare program cuts. Full Story
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After Facing Prostitution Charges, Inmates Get Help in Starting Over
Twenty women at the Harris County Jail are working to ensure that they won't fall back into prostitution when they finish their sentences. A specialized program is helping them gain the tools to do just that. Full Story
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![Kathryn Griffin leads the "We've Been There Done That" prostitute rehabilitation program for selected inmates at Harris County Jail.]()
Credit: Callie Richmond -
Video: Prostitution Diversion Program Helps Inmates Start Over
Through a program at the Harris County Jail, 20 women are working to avoid returning to a life of prostitution. The program is led by a woman who knows only too well the struggles they face. Full Story
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Credit: Callie Richmond -
Justice Department Seeks to Restore Voting Law Restrictions on Texas
The U.S. Justice Department will seek to once more require that a federal court approve Texas’ controversial voter ID law, despite a Supreme Court ruling that such a practice is outdated. Full Story
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TJJD Weighs Closing Mental Health Unit, Halfway Houses
The Texas Juvenile Justice Department is considering closing the Corsicana Residential Treatment Center and two halfway houses after a state budget rider cut funds for the agency's secure facilities. Full Story
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![Despite the statewide decrease in staff-on-youth assaults at juvenile correctional facilities, the rate of youth-on-youth assaults has increased following the 2007 legislative reforms.]()
Credit: Jeff Heimsath -
Former Legislator Criticizes Treatment During Traffic Stop
Former state Rep. Aaron Peña says he was "treated like a drug dealer" during a recent traffic stop in the South Texas city of Robstown. A Robstown police spokesman said that officers followed the law during the traffic stop. Full Story
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T-Squared: Why We Unpublished Our Prisoner Database
You may have noticed that one of our more popular databases, the Texas Prison Inmates database, was disabled last week. We want to explain why we did it and when we expect to relaunch the database. Full Story
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Credit: Rob Crow -
Garden-Fresh Produce for Needy, Thanks to Inmates
On a four-acre garden in Smith County, inmates from the local jail tend crops that provide thousands of pounds of fresh food for the poor in 26 counties. It's one of several programs that put inmates to work for the community. Full Story
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![A sheriff's deputy keeps watch while inmates from the Smith County Jail tend a garden in Tyler on July 12, 2013.]()
Credit: Cooper Neill -
Interactive: Abbott vs. the Federal Government
Led by Attorney General Greg Abbott, Texas has fought the federal government for control over various issues, including environmental regulation and oversight of voting laws. Use this interactive to look at the current legal battles. Full Story
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Zetas Leader Captured in Nuevo León
UPDATED: Authorities confirmed Miguel Treviño Morales was captured at 3:45 a.m. local time in the municipality of Anáhuac, Nuevo León, and not in Nuevo Laredo, as originally reported. Full Story
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![Leader of the Zetas drug cartel Miguel Treviño Morales, also known as "40."]()
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Combs: 2006 Study Will Not Be Revisited
State Comptroller Susan Combs says her office doesn't have the resources to update a 2006 study of the economic impact of Texas' undocumented immigrant population. Full Story
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![Texas Comptroller Susan Combs on Feb. 7, 2013.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
DPS Officers Fire Rounds, Launch Tear Gas Across Border
In separate instances on Thursday, Texas Department of Public Safety officers came under gunfire from the Mexican side of the Rio Grande and launched tear gas south into the country. Full Story
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![Texas DPS agent Cuevas removes a M2-40 machine gun from newly commissioned patrol vessel. The boat, part of the Tactical Marine Unit, funded by federal Homeland Security grants, will help with the state's efforts in combating Mexican drug cartels patrolling the Rio Grande River]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Mexican City Weighs Neglected Notion: Hope
Three years after a municipal election was held under the specter of fear and death in this border city, voters on Sunday ushered in a new leader in Ciudad Juárez. But a new administration and a new peace can only go so far. Full Story
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![Ignacio Villa, left, and Arturo Ibarra, right, of the mariachi group Los Gavilanes receive shoe shines on Avenida Juárez in Ciudad Juárez, México, Jul. 9, 2013.]()
Credit: Vanessa Monsisvais
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