NCYL in Texas Media Coverage

Youth Law News, July-September 2010
NCYL has joined Texas Appleseed, Advocacy Inc., and the Center for Public Representation in calling for a U.S. Department of Justice investigation into reports of violence, improper use of restraints, and program deficiencies in 10 secure lockdown facilities operated by the Texas Youth Commission (TYC).

Texas Appleseed Press Release, Aug. 24, 2010
Four advocacy groups, two of them based in Texas, today called on the U.S. Department of Justice to investigate accounts of widespread unsafe conditions and serious programming deficiencies in 10 secure lockdown facilities operated by the Texas Youth Commission (TYC) – conditions violating the Constitutional rights of incarcerated youth and jeopardizing their rehabilitation.

Juvenile Justice Information Exchange, Aug. 29, 2011
Under Gov. Rick Perry, Texas's juvenile justice system has seen a dramatic transformation from a system plagued by a sexual abuse scandal to one of the most progressive systems in the nation, say long-time advocates in the state.

New York Times, July 11, 2011
Thanks to leadership by Gov. Rick Perry and thoughtful, decisive action by the Legislature, a state juvenile justice system that was in chaos a few years ago is making impressive strides.

The Austin American Statesman, June 3, 2011
Yesterday, the Texas Youth Commission announced the closure of three of the state's 10 youth lockups.

Texas Tribune, April 14, 2011
Hours after the state Senate passed a bill Wednesday that would merge the state's two juvenile criminal justice agencies, a House committee passed a similar bill.

Austin American Statesman, March 8, 2011
As a coalition of groups endorsed the proposed merger of Texas' two youth corrections agencies, new details emerged Tuesday on what the combined agency might look like if lawmakers approve the plan.

Lone Star Report, Feb. 24, 2011
Chief Justice Wallace Jefferson called on lawmakers to remember the needs of children in the juvenile justice system in an address to a joint session of the Texas Legislature.

Dallas Morning News, Jan. 13, 2011
The 12-member commission, made up mostly of lawmakers, unanimously recommended eliminating the agency and merging it with the Texas Juvenile Probation Commission to create the Texas Juvenile Justice Department.

The Statesman, Aug. 26, 2010
Amid a growing controversy about new allegations of abuse and security concerns at the Texas Youth Commission, the top official responsible for independently investigating mistreatment and monitoring conditions has resigned after less than six months on the job.

The Statesman, Aug. 25, 2010
Amid new allegations of abuse in some Texas Youth Commission lockups, the architects of sweeping reforms almost four years ago called Wednesday for expedited hearings to investigate and curb any continuing problems.

The Texas Tribune, Aug. 25, 2010
Conditions remain unsafe and unhealthy in Texas Youth Commission facilities, according to four advocacy groups that are urging the U.S. Department of Justice to launch yet another investigation of the scandal-plagued agency.

Texas State Radio

"This Week in Austin"
Interview with Staff Attorney Patricia Soung, Aug. 25, 2010