In an interesting piece for the Denton Record-Chronicle, Matt Roberts of Mental Health America of Greater Dallas is quoted as saying, “We’ve traded hospitals for jails.” He is referring to the fact that America’s jails are home to millions of mentally ill, people who may have been institutionalized 50 years ago, or receiving community-based treatment just a few decades ago. Now, however, those options aren’t on the table. read more

Just a few months ago, we blogged about a Texas first: the closing of Sugar Land’s Central Unit prison. But while that closure was initially seen as something to celebrate—signaling a shift away from mass incarceration—Texas was quietly adding prison beds to existing facilities, virtually erasing any positive impact of the closed facility. read more

A 102 year old prison will soon be closed, marking the first time the state of Texas has shut down such a facility and signaling a shift in priorities being seen across the state and the entire country. Out of all places to close a prison, Texas would be the last. But the Central Unit at Sugar Land plans to be empty by the end of the month. read more

A bill sits on Governor Rick Perry’s desk that would make it a little easier for those who were wrongfully convicted to collect compensation for the years they spent behind bars, serving time for something they didn’t do. Until then, there are a few different cases that have made headlines in the past month because of the struggles such freed men now face when trying to regain their life on the outside. read more

A bill that changes how the state approaches juvenile justice matters was signed last week by Governor Rick Perry. The bill looks not only to save money but to save children from a life of crime, something more likely to happen if they are locked up in an institution. And perhaps surprisingly, it was a bill that received overwhelming support from both major political parties. read more

The mentally ill seem to have drawn the short straw again this year as the state stands to cut funding to many community care programs, treatment, and counseling organizations. The state is already ranked 49^th in terms of spending on mental health and it’s only going to get worse. With fewer and fewer community resources for the mentally ill, the police and local jails are left dealing with issues they simply aren’t equipped to handle. read more

City jails across Texas have been criticized for years for falling short in areas of basic requirements and functionality. Issues like lack of quality food, medical care, lack of showering facilities, and at least one report of leaving detainees alone in the jail with a cell phone in case of emergency have all made the headlines. read more