The latest Texas Department Of Criminal Justice news from The Texas Tribune.
A former correctional officer was charged with aggravated assault by a public servant Thursday in Walker County, a week after another man was cleared of criminal charges in another inmate homicide. Full Story
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The closures are expected in the coming months, as the state faces dangerous understaffing in its prisons. Full Story
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The increase in altercations with inmates comes as Texas' prison population dwindles. In three years, three officers have faced criminal charges in prisoners' deaths. Full Story
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U.S. District Judge Keith Ellison said the lawyers can further probe the Texas prison agency's violations of a court order to provide air conditioning for some inmates — and agency officials’ false claims that they were in compliance. Full Story
Although there are fewer people in prison than there were a decade ago, costs have surged along with the share of inmates who are older — and sicker. Full Story
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For the second time, a court has stopped Murphy's execution over concerns that the Texas prison system's execution procedures discriminate against non-Christian inmates. Full Story
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A trauma-informed reentry program was unveiled after the Texas Department of Criminal Justice received criticism for a lack of growth opportunities for women. Full Story
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Texas Department of Criminal Justice Executive Director Bryan Collier was questioned in court for about two hours for not complying with a court order to keep some Texas prisoners in air conditioned housing. Full Story
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A federal judge was visibly frustrated Friday as he suggested that putting state officials in uncooled cells might be the only way to get their attention after they broke a settlement agreement to keep some inmates in air conditioning. Full Story
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In a motion Thursday, the prisoners' lawyers asked the judge to hold prison officials in contempt and issue fines. They also accused the agency of hiding multiple instances of noncompliance with the court order. Full Story
The state's two-year budget provided $84 million to increase salaries for correctional officers and other prison employees as the Texas Department of Criminal Justice faces nearly 4,000 empty guard positions. Full Story
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Texas has been fighting the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's ban on the state's attempted import of lethal injection drugs. But the Justice Department says federal law doesn't give the FDA oversight. Full Story
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The bill addresses many of the conditions of the state's incarcerated women. It would also require the department to offer up to 10 free feminine hygiene products to women each day. Full Story
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The prison system's existing doses were all set to expire before the state's five currently scheduled executions. See our updated lethal drug tracker for the latest movement in the state's supply. Full Story
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Prisoners who volunteered for a mental health diversion program say promises of therapy and time out of their cells weren't fulfilled. And Texas prison officials aren't regularly tracking success rates — even as they ask lawmakers to fund an expansion of the program. Full Story
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Citing security concerns, the state has fought for years to keep the supplier's name secret. Full Story
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An estimate to put air conditioning into one prison changed from more than $20 million to $4 million last year. Full Story
Multiple bills filed this session aim to address deficiencies in women's prisons. Full Story
![Emily Fulbright at the Women's [In]Justice Day rally on the south steps of the capitol on Mar. 8, 2019.](https://thumbnails.texastribune.org/MCvqYC_kzwU_DLsyzq81SRirgKo=/850x570/smart/filters:quality(75)/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/596cb4f29ebd0a0fc275e0cf4811f00d/05_Women_Prisons_March_MG.jpg)
After shrinking the population at state-run juvenile lockups, state Sen. John Whitmire wants to move the remaining youth at five facilities to one recently closed adult jail. Full Story
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The requirement was included in a budget amendment approved by a House subcommittee Wednesday. Full Story