Conditions of Confinement

Finish the 5: UT students work with local organization to advocate for abolition of last Texas youth prisons

Juvenile Prisons: Where and Who chart by Daily Texan

The Austin Liberation Youth Movement, a student-led organization that includes UT students, is advocating for the closure of the last five youth prisons in Texas through their Finish the 5 campaign. “We need a new system of accountability,” said Krupali Kumar, co-founder of the Austin Liberation Youth Movement. “If we’re looking at a lot of what these kids are in prison for, a lot of them are because of developmental behaviors. They need the right intervention. Prison is not an intervention — prison is a form of punishment.” 

Incentivize People to Participate in Rehabilitative Programming in State Jails to Promote Post-Release Stability

Policy Background

Thousands of people are annually sent to Texas’ state jail system,1 which predominantly houses those convicted of nonviolent property or drug offenses, like possession of less than a gram of a controlled substance. Unfortunately, state jails have the highest recidivism rate of all correctional programs.2

‘Pig Slop’ No More? Texas Prisons Detail Plan To Improve Food

A hotdog with a tortilla, a cup of mush and a raw potato.

The Texas prison system has a new goal: Serving slightly more edible food. As part of a long-term strategic plan, the corrections agency aims to do away with the worst of prison fare — the meager and sometimes moldy brown-bag meals served during lockdowns, which occur regularly and can last for weeks.

Read the rest of this article from The Marshall Project.

Texas teens embark on an idealistic quest to shut down the state’s last five youth prisons

Members of the Finish the 5 Coalition march to the Texas Capitol. Photo by Sergio Flores for The Texas Tribune

Brimming with adrenaline, determination and wide-eyed optimism, a group of teenagers gathered outside the state Capitol last week, ready to take their first steps into the underbelly of Texas politics. Most had been under the iconic Pink Dome only for school field trips.

Youth-Led Coalition to Close Texas’ Youth Prisons Will Gather at State Capitol

Screengrab of first page of test release

On the opening day of the Texas Legislature’s 2023 session, a group of young people, formerly incarcerated organizers, advocates, and organizations will gather for a rally and advocacy day. The event is hosted by the Finish the 5 Coalition, which is advocating to close Texas’ inhumane youth prisons and instead invest in kids and communities. More information is available on the event registration page.

Ensure Texas Prisons are Prepared for Emergencies and Natural Disasters

Policy Background

The Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) operates not only the largest prison system in any state, but also one of the largest in the world. Preparing such a large system for an emergency requires adequate planning mechanisms – but those are not currently in place at TDCJ. This was evident during Hurricane Harvey in 2017 and Texas’ winter freeze in 2021, as well as during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Formerly Incarcerated Leaders to Gather for Community-Building Event in Austin

Screengrab of press release PDF

On December 3, a group of formerly incarcerated and justice system-impacted Texans will convene in Austin. 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.

Second annual “Power to the People” discusses the intersection of race, incarceration

A group of people sit behind a table on a panel in front of a classroom of students

St. Edward’s University’s Black Student Alliance held its second annual “Power to the People” event, with this year’s focus on the intersection of race and incarceration. The main topic was “Justice for Us” and revolved around a panel of experts on the incarceration system.

Read the rest of this article from Hilltop Views.

Course Corrections: The Return of Prison Education

Screengrab of Observer headline, "Federal grants are rebooting higher education behind bars, but the benefits aren't evenly distributed to all of the incarcerated. by Michelle Pitcher

On a lower level of the Wynne Unit, a state prison in Huntsville, about 20 men in white jumpsuits and matching white sneakers sit around the perimeter of a room. Their attention is focused on Paul Allen, who stands in front of them. He’s a familiar face in the unit of about 3,000 male prisoners: He’s been teaching there for years. Today, he’s leading the men through their capstone business course, for many the final step on the path to getting their associate of applied science degrees in business.

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