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The Prison and Jail Accountability ProjectThe Prison and Jail Accountability Project (PJAP) is dedicated to making Texas prisons and jails safe and humane places to live and work. During the 80th Legislative Session, PJAP will advocate for various initiatives and monitor any legislation that addresses prison/jail capacity and impacts the conditions of confinment in the state of Texas. PJAP monitors prisons and jails by tracking the conditions of confinement. The Texas prison system has grown over the last ten years and as such, there is a need for increased oversight. There are 738,000 adults under supervision (prisons, jails, probation, and parole) and the rate of supervision (number of offenders supervised per 100,000) is 34.87% higher than the national average. Currently, 106 prison units and state jail facilities comprise the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ). Additionally,Texas has 254 counties and 268 jail facilities with a combined rated capacity of 71,962. 
In June 2001, the ACLU of Texas organized the Prison & Jail Accountability Project (PJAP) to fill the enormous void left upon the conclusion of the 30-year-old Ruiz class action lawsuit on behalf of Texas prisoners. PJAP monitors prison and jail conditions and fights to open the prison system to public scrutiny. The ACLU of Texas accepts cases with significant civil liberties issues where participation by the ACLU of Texas will benefit a large class of people, or will lead to a change in the law concerning the issue. Very few cases are accepted for direct litigation. PJAP's Current Issue Areas Include:
Contact the Prison and Jail Accountability Project at:Prison and Jail Accountability Project
ACLU of Texas
P.O. Box 12905
Austin, TX 78711-2905 Further Reading:Private Prisons Sexual Assault Health Care Prison Labor
International Human Rights Experts Denounce U.S. Record On Racial And Ethnic Discrimination
A United Nations committee today issued a strongly worded critique of the United States’ record on racial discrimination and urged the government to make sweeping reforms to policies affecting racial and ethnic minorities, women, and immigrants in this country. The American Civil Liberties Union called on the U.S. government to take vigorous steps to implement the committee’s recommendations and fulfill its human rights treaty obligations. Read More...
UN Demands US Government Answer for Border Wall
Today, the United Nations Committee charged with monitoring compliance with the International Convention on the Elimination All Forms of Racial Discrimination, an international treaty that was ratified by the U.S. in 1994, asked high-ranking U.S. government officials to explain the U.S.'s compliance, or lack thereof, with the treaty provisions that prohibit discrimination in areas such as housing, law enforcement, education, and the treatment of migrants. Since the treaty’s ratification, U.S. reporting on compliance has been inadequate, and this week’s hearings were no exception. Read More...
The Future of Texas: 70th Anniversary Conference
Join the ACLU March 8th in San Antonio for our 70th anniversary conference. Luminaries participating include Cecile Richards, Stephen Klineberg and many others. Read More...
Are you ready to pick up the torch?
Join the ACLU of Texas in San Antonio for our 70th Anniversary Gala and Conference, March 8, 2008 on the Riverwalk! Learn more at www.aclutx70th.org! Read More...
ACLUTX 2008 Summer Intern Announcement
The American Civil Liberties Union Foundation of Texas is accepting applications for summer 2008 law internships. The ACLU is one of the nation's foremost defenders of civil liberties and civil rights. We are a nonpartisan organization dedicated to defending the Bill of Rights through litigation, legislation, and public education. The Texas affiliate of the ACLU, founded in 1938, is headquartered in Austin, and includes a regional office in Houston and thirteen chapters with over 17,000 members statewide. Read More...
Landmark Settlement Announced in Federal Lawsuit Challenging Conditions at Immigrant Detention Center in Texas
The American Civil Liberties Union today announced a landmark settlement with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) that greatly improves conditions for immigrant children and their families inside the T. Don Hutto detention center in Taylor, Texas. Read More...
Se Anunció Acuerdo Histórico de la Demanda Federal que Desafía las Condiciones del Centro de Detención para Inmigrantes en Texas
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ACLU Highlights Successes in the 80th Legislative Session
The American Civil Liberties Union of Texas celebrates the day after Sine Die with many notable successes. Read More...
ACLU Applauds Passage of Prison Rape Elimination Bill
House Bill 1944, which focuses on eliminating sexual assault in Texas Prisons, passed the Texas Senate yesterday. Read More...
Major legislative proposals moving toward finish line
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Commission lifts order against Harris County jails
Inspectors say system is meeting staffing standards, but funding for OT is almost half-spent Read More...
ACLU Applauds Passage of Prison Rape Elimination Bill
ACLU Applauds Passage of Prison Rape Elimination Bill
House Bill 1944, which focuses on eliminating sexual assault in Texas Prisons, passed the Texas House of Representatives unanimously. The bill garnered support from the American Civil Liberties Union of Texas (ACLU), Texas Association Against Sexual Assault (TAASA), Stop Prison Rape, and the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME).
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ACLU Applauds Passage of Prison Rape Elimination Bill
– House Bill 1944, which focuses on eliminating sexual assault in Texas Prisons, passed the Texas House of Representatives unanimously on today. Read More...
ACLU Releases Report on Texas Prison Population
The American Civil Liberties Union of Texas (ACLU) released a report today that compares Texas to New York, a large state that had comparable sentencing practices and has since implemented sentencing policy changes successfully. Read More...
ACLU to Testify in Federal Commission Hearings
Two members of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) staff will testify at the National Prison Rape Elimination Commission’s (NPREC) public hearings on Tuesday, which is the second and final day. The Commission is addressing the problem of sexual violence in Texas prisons and the scandals at the Texas Youth Commission. The ACLU is also tracking legislation this session focused on these very issues. Read More...
Senate Committee to Review Scandal-Ridden Texas Youth Commission
On Tuesday Feb. 27, 2007, the Senate Criminal Justice Committee will hear testimony regarding sexual assault and other abuse in the Texas Youth Commission. The Committee will consider SB 103, a bill by Senator Juan Hinojosa (D-McAllen) which would increase oversight and enhance the safety of the TYC facilities. Read More...
Texans United for Families and the ACLU of Texas Applaud the Release of Pregnant Asylum Applicant from Hutto Facility
Texans United for Families (“TUFF”) and the American Civil Liberties Union of Texas (ACLU) applaud the release of a pregnant detainee and her two children from the T. Don Hutto Detention Center in Taylor, Texas. The pregnant detainee and her children are set to be released today, Friday, February 16, from the T. Don Hutto prison. Read More...
ACLU Will be Present during Press Tour at Hutto Facility
Attorneys with the American Civil Liberties Union’s National Office in New York and the ACLU of Texas said today that they would be available for comment at the T. Don Hutto Detention Facility tomorrow morning, Feb. 9, 2007. Read More...
Texas Legislators tackle prison reform
Commission suggests more appropriations for beds, facilities Read More...
Church holds forum to discuss upcoming prison reform
Ex-offenders speak out to what the real problems are Read More...
FROM THE LIBERTY BLOG:
Roe v. Wade: Access to Reproductive Health Care for Texas Prisoners
"In recognition of the Roe v..."
Sunset panel urges ethics rules for parole commissioners
Report recommends more independence from Texas Department of Criminal Justice Read More...
A life spent facing death
Posted on Sun, Jan. 14, 2007 Read More...
Sunset Commission: Support Alternatives to Incarceration
Taxpayers will spend more than $1 billion in bond principle and interest if TDCJ's proposals to add new prison beds succeed. Read More...
HB 312 and HB 337: Strengthen Community Supervision
Bills will make probation stronger and ease the capacity crisis. Read More...
Prison revamp long on rehab, short on new cells
Plan omits 3 new buildings officials want for crowded system Read More...
2007 Continuing Legal Education (CLE) Program Launches
The ACLU Foundation of Texas' Legal Department is very proud to announce the launching of our Continuing Legal Education (CLE) Program for 2007. Each month an expert on constitutional and civil rights/civil liberties law will offer a CLE presentation on an issue of importance to the local legal community. Read More...
Experts: Mentally ill criminals need therapy, not jail
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Incarceration Nation
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FROM THE LIBERTY BLOG:
Juneteenth: Reflecting on Criminal Justice Policies and African Americans
"On June 19, 1865, word that the Emancipation Proclamation terminated
slavery finally reached Texas..."
FROM THE LIBERTY BLOG:
Health Crisis in the Bexar County Jail
"By Nicole D..."
Jailhouse Blue
Why U.S. jails and prisons do not work. Read More...
FROM THE LIBERTY BLOG:
Racial Disparity and TDCJ
"At the House Corrections Committee meeting on March 22nd, law makers seemed pleased that African Americans only comprised about 40% of the state's prison population..."
Prison overcrowding back on agenda
Advocates and officials urge legilators to examine TDCJ's capacity Read More...
Feds may take on juvenile prison predicament
TYC asked the U.S. Department of Justice for help. Read More...
Elected officials express concern over TYC abuse
Elected officials are vowing to investigate a sharp increase of abuses confirmed in Texas’ juvenile prison system. Read More...
Trouble at Evins
Edinburg facility remains under cloud of 2004 abuses, despite improvements Read More...
Little boys, big time
Abuse on the rise in Texas juvenile prisons
Agency says turnover, inadequate training is to blame Read More...
Officials, advocacy groups call for probation reform
Legislators urged to look at probation in an effort to fix crowding Read More...
First stop in youth prison system is most abusive, records show
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Guards on the defensive
Juvenile prison officers say they are victims in rising vio-lence Read More...
Request Legal Assistance
Report a civil rights violation or request assistance. Read More...
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