In the news: August 2006
3 new prisons, more treatment programs are sought
AUSTIN AMERICAN STATESMAN: Prison officials said Friday that they want to build three prisons and boost drug- and alcohol-treatment programs in the biggest proposed expansion of Texas corrections programs in more than a decade. Brad Livingston, executive director of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, said the $520 million plan — part of a $5.6 billion, two-year budget being sought by the prisons agency — is designed to keep pace with steadily growing numbers of prisoners that will require more than 11,000 additional prison beds in five years, according to official estimates.