The latest Texas Department Of Criminal Justice news from The Texas Tribune.
Of more than 100 Texas prison units, the Roach Unit's apparent ability to avoid the virus has been attributed to a remote location and a warden who strictly enforces precautionary measures. Full Story
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Thousands of parole-approved prisoners remain locked up during the public health crisis. The coronavirus has delayed pre-release programs and kept people set to go home inside infected prisons. Full Story
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At one prison, more than 750 inmates were actively infected with the coronavirus Monday, according to the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. Full Story
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The agency will use the same self-administered, oral tests used to conduct mass testing in Texas' adult prison facilities. Full Story
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The Texas Department of Criminal Justice halted intake from county jails in April as the coronavirus began rapidly spreading in state and local lockups. The virus is still pervasive within the prison system. Full Story
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Gutierrez has long fought for DNA testing he says could prove his innocence in a 1998 Brownsville murder and home robbery. But the high court's ruling centered on Texas prison officials' recent decision to keep religious advisers out of the execution room. Full Story
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The Wynne Unit in Huntsville has had at least 10 deaths connected to the new coronavirus. In letters, inmates said conditions were unsanitary and disorganized, and sick men often went untested. Full Story
The lawsuit, filed in late March, argues the policies and practices to protect inmates at a geriatric prison were unconstitutional. But an appeals court said many of the practices ordered have already been implemented. Full Story
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Judges questioned both the inmates' arguments and state's positions in a Thursday hearing. In April, the appeals court temporarily blocked a lower judge's order against the Texas Department of Criminal Justice over its coronavirus practices and policies at a geriatric prison. Full Story
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The state purchased 300,000 oral swab tests from a months-old California company. So far, only highly-infected prisons are using them for mass testing. Full Story
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The Texas Department of Criminal Justice said it will begin having prisoners test themselves with a newly approved test. So far, less than 2% of state prisoners have been tested for the virus. More than 1,700 have been infected, and 30 have died. Full Story
State officials are gradually allowing the reopening of businesses and organizations that were closed to limit the spread of the coronavirus. Meanwhile, hot spots continue to flare in Texas — signs the virus is still raging. Full Story
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Some of the nation's biggest COVID-19 outbreaks have been in prisons and jails, and they can quickly spread to surrounding communities. Are Texas prisons doing enough to protect inmates, staff and the public? Full Story
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Our staff is closely tracking developments on the new coronavirus in Texas. Check here for live updates. Full Story
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The Houston judge issued a temporary order against the Texas Department of Criminal Justice at a geriatric prison after older inmates sued the prison system over its handling of the coronavirus. Full Story
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Our staff is closely tracking developments on the new coronavirus in Texas. Check here for live updates. Full Story
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The Texas Department of Justice sent a letter to county sheriffs announcing the new policy Saturday. Full Story
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The Texas Department of Criminal Justice's measures to combat the new coronavirus are insufficient at a geriatric prison, the complaint said. Full Story
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The Texas prison system and Dallas County both reported the first Texas cases of inmates testing positive for the new coronavirus this week. Self-quarantines and social distancing aren't always possible for those who've been exposed. Full Story
The 37-year-old man has been isolated and is being treated at the prison system's Galveston hospital, where he's been for three days. Full Story