House Committee on Corrections - 72nd R.S. (1991)
Committee Members
Charges
- Monitor and oversee legislation enacted during the 72nd Regular and Special Called Sessions that was considered by the Corrections Committee; Performance Audit Review Recommendations; and any agency-initiated changes.
-
Carry out budget and oversight responsibilities for all agencies, boards, and commissions listed in Rule 3, Section 5.
A. Monitor and oversee documentation of salary increases.
B. Verify the number and status of outcomes and outputs as identified in the Appropriations Bill (HB 1, 72nd Legislature, 1st Called Session).
C. Review agencies' existing performance standards and determine whether new standards are needed.
- Study gang violence and gang related activity within the prison system.
- Study mechanisms in state and federal law to limit or eliminate federal court control over state prisons and county jails on a continuing basis, and the mechanism to increase capacity to the maximum extent and maintain federal standards.
- Examine limiting lawsuits filed by prisoners under the 8th amendment and other constitutional grounds.
- Study the means by which Congress may change federal law permitting states with prison overcrowding and criminal justice emergencies to be relieved from federally imposed capacity limitations.
- Study the viability and feasibility of using prison inmate labor to construct additional capacity for prison beds adjacent to existing prisons.
- Study the types and ways that TDCJ-ID employee information is released to inmates confined in the prison system.
- Review the operations of private prisons.
- Review alternate prison facilities, i.e. camps, tents, etc...
- Study the educational opportunities available in prison, how many prisoners take advantage of these opportunities, and the impacts of receiving an education in prison.
- Study recidivism and the youthful offender, ages 10 to 21.
- Study other emerging issues, as appropriate.
- Study the progress of the inmate work program and evaluate the possibility of expanding the program.
- Study the issue of youth involvement in gang activity and the use of guns.
- Study the parole programs in Texas and see how the current parole procedures have affected the state.
Notes
1st C.S.: Wilhelmina Delco (Member) appointed 7/19/1991.
Sam Johnson (Member) resigned 5/21/1991.
Information on this website is provided as a public service by the Legislative Reference Library. The Legislative Reference Library makes no representation as to its completeness or accuracy and makes no warranty in regard to its use. Users assume all risk of reliance on the information included on this site.