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Taxpayers will spend more than $1 billion in bond principle and interest if TDCJ's proposals to add new prison beds
succeed.
Texas is not ready to open new prisons because we cannot manage the prisons we have, and we cannot effectively support prisoner
re-entry. Accountable systems to manage the prison population more effectively, reduce recidivism, and provide for successful
re-entry should be our priority. Texas should not build new prisons until:
- The current system is staffed and funded;
- Policymakers and correctional administrators have a
strategic plan to document how new funding will be used
to provide treatment and reduce recidivism; and
- Funding for offender treatment must be permanent and
subject to accountability measures that will help the
state demonstrate successful prisoner re-entry into
society.
Shortage of Prison Guards. More than 2,700 correctional officer positions needed to be filled in 2006. TDCJ’s
Legislative Appropriations Requests (LAR) anticipates that the State would operate two of the three proposed new prisons and
contract with a private vendor for the third. If the State runs two of the three new prisons, it will have to hire an additional
1,050 employees. Since TDCJ cannot fill existing vacancies, the agency is unlikely to also fill so many newly created
positions. The need for new hires cannot meet the demand created by new positions, high turn over rates, and correctional
officers transferring to other positions.
Understaffing exposes to the state to liability that can increase costs for taxpayers in the form of lawsuits and workers
compensation costs for correctional officers. A total of 5,700 TDCJ employee injuries were reported during the period
from Nov-04 to Nov-05, and 36% of employee injuries result in accepted workers'; compensation claims.
Provide strategic plan for more effective use of TDCJ dollars. TDCJ is requesting funding to construct three
new prison units. The operation and staffing of three new prisons would cost taxpayers $72 million annually for the next
20 years. The Department must demonstrate that it has a strategic plan to use these taxpayer dollars to manage inmates better,
release them appropriately, provide the treatment needed to reduce recidivism, and safely and effectively move them back into
our communities.
Ensure investments in treatment and re-entry are permanent and make TDJC accountable for results.
Budget
cuts resulted in the elimination of six-month drug treatment programs in the state jails. Additionally, limited funding led
administrators to shorten participation in the Substance Abuse Felony Punishment Program from nine months to six months.
If Legislators want to fund drug treatment for offenders than it must be permanent and TDCJ officials should be held accountable.
Clear outcome-based accountability systems must be implemented to monitor treatment funding, measure attainment for successful
offender program completion, and reduce recidivism.
Sources:
- Sunset Staff, "Staff Report,"; Sunset Commission (October
2006).
- Texas Department of Criminal Justice, "Risk Management
Statistics,"; (January 4, 2006). 36% is an average of
each of the monthly rates over from Nov-04 to Nov-05.
Texas should invest in effective solutions,
not new prisons.
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