Advocates Criticize TYC Conditions Anew

UPDATE: In response to concerns raised in a letter submitted to the Department of Justice by four youth advocacy groups this week, influential lawmakers are calling for hearings to address the serious issues at hand. Read the Austin American-Statesman article here.

Four advocacy groups that have researched and investigated conditions at Texas Youth Commission facilities sent a letter to the Department of Justice (DOJ) Tuesday that outlined several new complaints about TYC facilities. Advocacy Inc., the Center for Public Representation, the National Center for Youth Law, and Texas Appleseed joined in urging the DOJ to further investigate the agency.

According to the Texas Tribune, the groups maintain that though TYC has changed some of its policies and methods since being restructured in 2007, “recent visits to facilities indicate broader systemic problems that TYC leadership has not resolved.” After conducting inmate interviews and analyzing agency data, the groups concluded conditions remain unsafe and unhealthy in the facilities around Texas. In the letter, advocates state that medical and mental health programs for youth are insufficient, improper restraint and excessive force are being used, and youth-on-youth assaults are still rampant in some facilities.

Since 2007, TYC has hired a new director, established oversight offices, reduced the maximum age of confinement (from 21 to 19), improved and diversified treatment programs, ceased to refer misdemeanor offences to TYC facilities, and shut down two of its lockdown facilities. These reform measures have seen the population in agency facilities drop from about 5,000 to fewer than 2,000, according the Texas Tribune. In response to the complaints made the groups, TYC also made clear that the agency enforces a zero tolerance policy for any type of mistreatment or abuse. The response also highlighted improvements that the agency has made in its educational programming.

Advocates and lawmakers alike have spoken out about the need for an increase in community-based deferral programs that keep offending youths in closer to home. With many of the TYC facilities located in urban areas, some question the agency’s ability to provide specialized care to the youth in lockdown. One advocated even stated that abolishing the agency might be in the best interest of committed youth. According to the response statement, TYC plans to investigate all allegations made in the letter, and to collaborate with advocacy groups to work on behalf of youth in TYC.

The Texas Youth Commission will undergo Sunset Review in 2011, with a focus on measuring how the agency has implemented reforms from the 81st Legislative Session.

Sources: The Texas Tribune - Advocate: Abolishing TYC Could Be Best Fix

The Austin American Statesman - TYC: We’ll investigate new abuse allegations

Texas Impact - Reformed Juvenile Justice System Fears Budget Cuts

TYC - Reform Plan