Pattern of Abuse at Texas Juvenile Facilities

A federal investigation into five state facilities concluded children in custody face excessive force, sexual abuse and a lack of vital services, The Dallas Morning News reported.

At a news conference last week, Kristen Clarke, assistant attorney general in the Justice Department’s civil rights division, said children held in those facilities are not receiving the treatment and rehabilitation they are supposed to get.

“Our investigation provides reasonable cause to believe that, far from achieving those objectives, TJJD engaged in a pattern of abuse, deprivation of essential services and disability- related discrimination that seriously harms children and undermines their rehabilitation, all in violation of their rights,” Clarke said.

In response, the Texas Juvenile Justice Department said it had made “several significant improvements” in staffing, educational programs and mental health care. The Legislature appropriated more than $1 billion last session to improve youth facilities.

The youth facilities are located in Gainesville, Edinburg, Brownwood, Giddings and Mart.

Investigators found evidence of physical and sexual abuse, according to the report.

TxDOT Adopts Transportation Plan “Connecting Texas 2050” was adopted recently by the Texas Transportation Commission to help guide priorities in the next quarter-century. The plan establishes the vision, goals, objectives and strategic recommendations for the state’s transportation system. “With a growing population and new technologies changing how we move, these goals will help us plan for decades to come and connect future generations of Texans,” Marc Williams, TxDOT executive director, said. The agency held a series of public meetings to gather input from the state’s citizens. Among the priorities listed were safety, alternative modes of travel, public transportation options and maintaining the state’s existing transportation infrastructure.

To learn more about the plan, go to www. ConnectingTexas2050.com.