The Appropriations Bill
Perhaps the most important changes came in the state budget (HB 1), where funding was restored for many programs that were cut to zero in 2003, particularly drug treatment and other programs to reduce recidivism. Included in the budget were:
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More than $150 million in new prison diversion and drug treatment funds, including hundreds of new drug treatment beds.
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New intermediate sanctions facilities and halfway houses to reduce the revocations to prison for probationers and parolees.
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A new funding formula and incentives for probation departments that encourage them to help probationers earn their way off supervision through good behavior.
In addition to new funding for prison diversion programs and to reduce long waiting lists for treatment programs, a bevy of policy reforms passed and were made into law.
But, we still have a ways to go. Although we are ecstatic with the additional funding allocated towards treatment and other diversion strategies, we were disheartened by the decision of the Appropriations Committee to approve the construction of three new prisons. At the same time, these prisons may not be built if the Legislative Budget Board doesn’t approve them in 2008. (Experts say these won’t be needed with new diversion funding, and TCJC has questioned where new prison guards would come from since Texas cannot adequately staff current facilities.)
The major changes in funding and policy that did pass may well result in reductions in incarceration, but that will happen only with continued attention and diligence on the part of all the state and local officials, criminal justice professionals and advocates who helped us get this far.
While we’re hopeful at TCJC that the tide of over-incarceration in Texas can be reversed, we harbor no illusions that this will be an easy or quick task. We recognize and accept that can only happen through a long-term focus on improving public safety and family outcomes, and we know there are thousands of you out there who as committed as we are to achieving those goals.
1. HB 1 by Chisum and Guillen, the General Appropriations Bill.